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Structure vs. Process: Examining the Interaction between Bureaucratic Organization and Analytical Requirements Open Access
Attempts by politicians to control bureaucratic decisions include both structural (how is the agency making the decision organized) and procedural (what rules must they follow when making the decision). But how do these procedures interact? This article examines the interaction between bureaucratic structure and one procedural control, the requirement that agencies conduct an analysis of their decisions prior to their issuance. I look at this interaction in the context of two types of analysis, cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment. I interview 16 individuals in each field and draw from their experiences. The conduct of analysis is affected by where analysts are placed in agencies. In particular independence of analysts has a tradeoff. The more independent analysts are, the more likely they can challenge preferred decisions in their agency. But independent analysts are brought into decisions later and may have limited long term impacts on agency culture. Despite this tradeoff, analysts expressed a clear preference for independence. The interaction between different controls of bureaucratic behavior is a potentially fruitful line for further research.
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ShapiroS_Structure-vs-Process-2016.pdf | 2018-08-26 | Open Access |
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