This paper examines to what extent advisory activities previously performed inside the government have been relocated to places outside of government. Although this process, labelled as externalization of policy advice, is widely taken as a universal trend, here it is shown that empirical findings suggest a more complicated picture. The level of externalization differs across policy domains, countries and over time. There are also different meanings of externalization and it has both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. In this article it is argued that the provision of policy advice can be conceptualized in terms of two competing processes: externalization and filling-in. The strength of these processes depends upon a wide range of factors. An overview of the empirical findings on externalization is provided and the factors assumed to be conducive to externalization are outlined. The article concludes with implications for further research, arguing that empirical research should be more theory-driven and enhanced by the inclusion of other research designs and methods.

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This article compares profiles and policy-related activities of policy workers (PWs) in thirteen Canadian provinces and territories with PWs in the Czech Republic regions. Canadian data come from 13 separate surveys conducted in provinces and territories in late 2008 and early 2009 (N = 1357). The Czech data are from analogical large-scale survey carried out at the end of 2012 (N = 783). First, the paper compares basic characteristics of Canadian and Czech PWs. In the two countries the proportion of men and women is similar and PWs are equally highly educated. Examining other characteristics, however, reveals substantial differences. When compared with the Czech PWs, Canadian PWs tend to be older, more often having social science educational backgrounds, more frequently recruited from academia, stay in a single organization for a shorter period of time and anticipate staying in their current position for only a short time. Second, a comparison of policy-related work activities discerns three basic clusters of policy tasks: policy analysis work, evidence-based work, and consulting/briefing. Canadian PWs are much more involved in evidence-based work, especially in evaluation and policy research. They also deal more with policy analysis activities such as identification of policy issues and options. In contrast, Czech PWs are more engaged in consulting with the public and briefing managers and decision-makers. The article concludes with implications for further research and theory building.

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The violence rate found in our sample is expected to remain stable over time under stable conditions. Substance misuse is not the leading cause of violence among those with schizophrenia.