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Analysing Institutions: What Method to Apply?

In: Institutions and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Volker Beckmann

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Martina Padmanabhan

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Abstract

This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing debate about methods of institutional analysis. How to empirically analyse institutions and institutional change? Is there a superior method when it comes to institutional questions? We discuss these issues for the most common methods in empirical institutional analysis, i.e. case studies, econometrics, experiments and agent-based modelling. Building on Alston (1996), with reference to Williamson’s (2000) overview of institutional economics, we identify level of social analysis and research questions as two important dimensions that may guide methodological decision. Distinguishing between effects, causes and processes of institutional choice and change as the basic research questions in institutional analysis, and combining these with the four levels of social analysis (i.e., social embeddedness, institutional environment, governance structures, and resource allocation) helps to precisely distinguish between differently oriented investigations within a common theme. In addition, we discuss how the time horizon of a study, the observability and measurability of the institutions examined, and the roles that actors play therein significantly constrain possible choice sets among methods. In doing so, we identify trade-offs as well as important complementarities between applying different methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Volker Beckmann & Martina Padmanabhan, 2009. "Analysing Institutions: What Method to Apply?," Springer Books, in: Volker Beckmann & Martina Padmanabhan (ed.), Institutions and Sustainability, chapter 16, pages 341-371, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-1-4020-9690-7_16
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-9690-7_16
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Till Proeger & Lukas Meub & Kilian Bizer, 2018. "Laboratory Experiments of Tradable Development Rights: A Synthesis of Different Treatments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Maciejczak, Mariusz, 2015. "Will the institution of coexistence be re-defined by TTIP?," GMCC-15: Seventh GMCC, November 17-20, 2015, Amsterdam, the Netherlands 211478, International Conference on Coexistence between Genetically Modified (GM) and non-GM based Agricultural Supply Chains (GMCC).
    3. Buitrago R., Ricardo E. & Barbosa Camargo, María Inés, 2021. "Institutions, institutional quality, and international competitiveness: Review and examination of future research directions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 423-435.
    4. Catherine Murray & Garry McDonald & Shane Cronin, 2015. "Interpreting Auckland’s volcanic governance through an institutional lens," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 75(1), pages 441-464, January.
    5. Kimmich, Christian & Sagebiel, Julian, 2016. "Empowering irrigation: A game-theoretic approach to electricity utilization in Indian agriculture," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(PB), pages 174-185.
    6. Zofia Å apniewska, 2017. "(Re)claiming Space by Urban Commons," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 49(1), pages 54-66, March.
    7. Kimmich, Christian, 2013. "Linking action situations: Coordination, conflicts, and evolution in electricity provision for irrigation in Andhra Pradesh, India," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 150-158.

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