Title: Networks, innovation and public policy : politicians, bureaucrats and the pathways to change inside government /
Authors: Considine, Mark, 1953-; Lewis, Jenny M.; Alexander, Damon.
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan,
Year: 2009
Subjects: Policy networks Australia Victoria.; Local government Australia Victoria.; Local government; Policy networks; Political science & theory.; POLITICAL SCIENCE Public Policy General.; Politics and Government.; Public administration.; Regional government policies.
Abstract: "Drawing on a major quantitative and qualitative study, involving almost 800 actors and their networks, this book examines the different normative approaches politicians, bureaucrats and community actors use to frame the innovation puzzle, arguing that these create specific cultures of innovation. Combining public policy with social network analysis, the authors explore the role of formal institutions and informal networks in promoting and impeding governmental innovation. It shows conclusively that networks matter more than any other single attribute, shaping local cultures in governments and marking out differences in the way politicians and bureaucrats address innovation inside government."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: pt. I. Innovation as ideas within institutions -- 1. Innovation, government and networks -- 2. Innovation and public policy -- 3. Networks as interactions and structures -- 4. Networks and key actors -- pt. II. Innovation inside government -- 5. Introduction to innovation cases -- 6. City of Parkside--big bang meets executive coordination -- 7. City of Kilbourne--innovation from the middle out -- 8. City of Melville--incrementalists rule -- 9. City of Millside--small world meets political affiliation -- 10. Who are the innovators inside government? -- App. A. Factor analysis of innovation norms and procedures -- App. B. Contact matrix correlation coefficients.