Policy Networks: Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations.

Expert network interaction in the European Medicines Agency

“…We know that bureaucrats in such multi‐governance structures regard themselves as double‐hatted and agents of multiple principals (Egeberg, 2006; Egeberg & Trondal, 2009, 2017). A network approach helps to capture how these different governance dynamics affect the opportunities of network members to interact and exchange resources with one another (Knoke, 1990; Leifeld & Schneider, 2012; Marin & Mayntz, 1991; Scharpf, 1997; Schneider, 1992; Vantaggiato et al, 2020).…”

“…We know that bureaucrats in such multigovernance structures regard themselves as double-hatted and agents of multiple principals (Egeberg, 2006;Egeberg & Trondal, 2009. A network approach helps to capture how these different governance dynamics affect the opportunities of network members to interact and exchange resources with one another (Knoke, 1990;Leifeld & Schneider, 2012;Marin & Mayntz, 1991;Scharpf, 1997;Schneider, 1992;Vantaggiato et al, 2020). This study addressed the empirical question of the extent to which such experts act as part of a unitary EU administration driven by scientific deliberation, and to what extent their individual agency in EU networks is, in fact, structured by national features.…”

“…To learn how these forces structure collaboration and exchange among PRAC members, a social network approach is adopted (Knoke, 1990;Leifeld & Schneider, 2012;Marin & Mayntz, 1991;Scharpf, 1997;Schneider, 1992;Vantaggiato et al, 2020). By treating interactions among members of the PRAC as the unit of analysis, its networked governance structure can be fully taken into account.…”

“…This is in line with network theorists what argue that network structures reflect the power dynamics in that policy domain (Knoke, 1990; Scharpf, 1997). The linkages between network members may create more opportunities for some, compared to others, to engage in resource exchange (Leifeld & Schneider, 2012; Marin & Mayntz, 1991; Schneider, 1992; Vantaggiato et al, 2020). While supranational forces will stimulate broad‐based interactions driven by scientific deliberation and professionalism, intergovernmental forces may structure those interactions along national lines.…”

“…Social network analysis is well-suited to analyze the extent and conditions for collaboration and control in such networks (Mastenbroek & Martinsen, 2018). Networks theorists argue that the linkages, or lack thereof, between network members create opportunity structures within which exchange can take place (Knoke, 1990;Leifeld & Schneider, 2012;Marin & Mayntz, 1991;Scharpf, 1997;Schneider, 1992;Vantaggiato et al, 2020). Because network structures affect both the individual and systemic levels of analysis (Knoke & Yang, 2008), social network analysis allows for a simultaneous study of the effect of both individuallevel and national administrative-level characteristics on the actual interactive behavior of network members.…”