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Problems (and solutions) in the measurement of policy diffusion mechanisms

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  • Maggetti, Martino
  • Gilardi, Fabrizio

Abstract

A growing literature in public policy, comparative politics and international relations has studied how the policies of one unit (e.g. country, federal state or city) are influenced by the policies of other units – that is, how policies diffuse. This article provides a meta-analysis of 114 studies, demonstrating persisting inconsistencies in the measurement of the mechanisms driving policy diffusion processes. Different indicators are used to measure the same mechanism, and the same indicators are used to measure different mechanisms. To improve this state of affairs, this article puts forward a conceptual structure that serves as a guide for the application of diffusion arguments, a starting point for theoretical refinement and a benchmark to assess measurement validity. In addition to paying more attention to the conceptual consistency of indicators, overcoming the problems currently found in the literature requires the construction of original, innovative research designs instead of the replication of widely used templates.

Suggested Citation

  • Maggetti, Martino & Gilardi, Fabrizio, 2016. "Problems (and solutions) in the measurement of policy diffusion mechanisms," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 36(1), pages 87-107, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jnlpup:v:36:y:2016:i:01:p:87-107_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Sandra Lavenex & Omar Serrano & Tim Büthe, 2021. "Power transitions and the rise of the regulatory state: Global market governance in flux," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 445-471, July.
    2. Miriam Koning & Gerard Mertens & Peter Roosenboom, 2018. "Drivers of institutional change around the world: The case of IFRS," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(3), pages 249-271, April.
    3. Strunz, Sebastian & Gawel, Erik & Lehmann, Paul & Söderholm, Patrik, 2018. "Policy convergence as a multifaceted concept: the case of renewable energy policies in the European Union," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(3), pages 361-387, September.
    4. Amir B. Ferreira Neto, 2021. "The diffusion of cultural district laws across US States," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 67(1), pages 189-210, August.
    5. Guillermo M. Cejudo & Philipp Trein, 2023. "Pathways to policy integration: a subsystem approach," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 56(1), pages 9-27, March.
    6. Murray, Gregg R. & Murray, Susan M., 2020. "Following Doctors’ Advice: Explaining the Issuance of Stay-at-Home Orders Related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by U.S. Governors," OSF Preprints 92ay6, Center for Open Science.
    7. Hassan Danaeefard & Fatemeh Mahdizadeh, 2022. "Public Policy Diffusion: A Scoping Review," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 455-477, June.
    8. Fix Michael P. & Mitchell Joshua L., 2017. "Examining the Policy Learning Dynamics of Atypical Policies with an Application to State Preemption of Local Dog Laws," Statistics, Politics and Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 8(2), pages 223-247, December.
    9. Gautier, Lara & Tosun, Jale & De Allegri, Manuela & Ridde, Valéry, 2018. "How do diffusion entrepreneurs spread policies? Insights from performance-based financing in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 160-175.
    10. Aurel Croissant & Jale Tosun, 2016. "Introduction: Bringing Regime Types into Diffusion Studies," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 7(4), pages 531-533, November.
    11. Cia Alves, Elia Elisa & Steiner, Andrea & de Almeida Medeiros, Marcelo & da Silva, Marcelo Eduardo Alves, 2019. "From a breeze to the four winds: A panel analysis of the international diffusion of renewable energy incentive policies (2005–2015)," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 317-329.
    12. Thomas Richter & Stefan Wurster, 2016. "Policy Diffusion among Democracies and Autocracies: A Comparison of Trade Reforms and Nuclear Energy Policy," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 7(4), pages 541-547, November.
    13. Fabrizio De Francesco & Philipp Trein, 2020. "How Does Corruption Affect the Adoption of Lobby Registers? A Comparative Analysis," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(2), pages 116-127.
    14. Armin Mertens & Christine Trampusch & Florian Fastenrath & Rebecca Wangemann, 2021. "The political economy of local government financialization and the role of policy diffusion," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 370-387, April.
    15. Menna Bizuneh & Steven Buigut & Neven Valev, 2020. "Beyond Borders: The Euro Crisis and Public Support for Monetary Integration in East Africa," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 88(4), pages 518-535, December.
    16. Kern, Kristine & Eckersley, Peter & Haupt, Wolfgang, 2023. "Diffusion and upscaling of municipal climate mitigation and adaptation strategies in Germany," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 23(1), pages 1-12.
    17. Sébastien Lambelet, 2023. "Unintended policy integration through entrepreneurship at the implementation stage," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 56(1), pages 161-189, March.

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