http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/18608/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38372/ 2012-02-03T00:00:00Z Deze rede is in verkorte vorm uitgesproken op 3 februari 2012 bij gelegenheid van de openbare aanvaarding van de leerstoel ‘Bestuurskunde, in het bijzonder beleidsprocessen in de publieke sector, bij de opleiding Bestuurskunde van de Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen van de Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/34973/ 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z The challenges facing developed countries in the coming decades require a fundamental reorientation and re-conceptualisation of our current socio-economic fabric. Resource scarcities, climate change concerns, ageing populations, economic shifts and globalisation are examples of trends that are increasing the pressure on various institutions and society in general, and will inevitably involve drastic changes. Necessary, and perhaps imminent, transformations in energy supply, production and consumption, welfare and health-care systems and mobility pose a significant challenge for governance scholars to develop an understanding of how such transitions arise, and how they may be influenced to engender more sustainable futures. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/26627/ 2011-08-01T00:00:00Z The management of large engineering projects is often a combination of the focus on planning and control, and the ambition to be flexible given the complexity and uncertainties that characterises these kinds of projects. However, control and flexibility impose contradictory requirements upon the management of these projects. The literature on project management reflects this contradiction. Some authors underline that projects require firm planning and control, thus downplaying the role of flexibility. Others emphasise that projects require flexibility and responsiveness, thus moving away from rigid planning and control. In this contribution, we suggest that in practice project managers acknowledge the weakness of both extremes and therefore strive to combine the two. Moreover, we argue that project success is at risk when project managers do not succeed in meeting the requirements of control and flexibility. To be able to investigate how these competing requirements are dealt with in practice, a framework is developed. The usefulness of the framework is explored by applying the framework to the large engineering project Randstadrail-a light rail project in The Netherlands. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22012/ 2010-11-11T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22084/ 2010-11-11T00:00:00Z Abstract—Hangzhou subway collapse is the most serious subway construction disaster to date in China. In this article, the management and regulatory questions the collapse raised are focused and a case study of Hangzhou subway collapse is given. By regarding the contractual arrangement as an outcome of a power game of principal-agent, the social causes and the perverse incentives to strategic behaviors of the key players are investigated to explain the particular project outcomes. In the end, some policy suggestions are given for improving the safety performance of subway construction. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22076/ 2010-09-01T00:00:00Z Sustainable mobility has proved to be a perennial challenge to realize. Scholars have argued that experiments could point the way forward towards sustainable mobility (cf. Loorbach, 2007, Markard and Truffer, 2008). In doing so, literature attributes a vital but complex task to those who engage in experiments. However, an important knowledge gap pertains to whether and how experiments contribute to learning about transitions and in what way they should be managed to break-up the more or less inertial mobility governance system. This paper aims to analyze how state-of-the-art literature on the governance of multi-actor systems considers experiments to contribute to transitions and highlight key dilemma‟s that professionals engaged in the management of experimental face in the day-to-day management and decision making processes during the experiment. The paper will highlight these dilemmas and choices and illustrate their importance for experiments in the field of transportation and more specifically in the specific context of the Dutch mobility system and the TRANSUMO research program. Identifying these dilemma‟s benefits practitioners who are engaged in the management of experiments to more consciously reflect on and include issues of second-order learning in the day-to-day management and decision making during the experiment to reach a more sustainable mobile system. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22079/ 2010-09-01T00:00:00Z In the early 1990s, in order to improve road safety in The Netherlands, the Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV) developed an evidence-based ‘Sustainable Safety’ concept. Based on this concept, Dutch road safety policy, was seen as successful and as a best practice in Europe. In The Netherlands, the policy context has now changed from a sectoral policy setting towards a fragmented network in which safety is a facet of other transport-related policies. In this contribution, it is argued that the implementation strategy underlying Sustainable Safety should be aligned with the changed context. In order to explore the adjustments needed, two perspectives of policy implementation are discussed: (1) national evidence-based policies with sectoral implementation; and (2) decentralized negotiation on transport policy in which road safety is but one aspect. We argue that the latter approach matches the characteristics of the newly evolved policy context best, and conclude with recommendations for reformulating the implementation strategy. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22112/ 2010-08-01T00:00:00Z Abstract The transition towards renewable energy production will not occur without the involvement of entrepreneurs who dare to take action amidst uncertainty. In an earlier article [1], a conceptual model was introduced for analyzing how perceived uncertainties influence the decisions and actions of entrepreneurs involved in innovation projects that aimed at developing and implementing renewable energy technologies. In this article, the conceptual model is applied to stand-alone biomass combustion projects in the Netherlands. Although none of the biomass combustion projects has been abandoned, some entrepreneurs clearly have more difficulty to turn their project into a success than others. To create insight into the underlying dynamics of these projects, the article analyzes what types of positive or negative interaction patterns occur over time between (internal or external) factors in the project environment, perceived uncertainties, motivation and entrepreneurial action and how these patterns can be stimulated or prevented. The results provide several lessons to take into account when designing policies for stimulating the development and implementation of biomass combustion. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22010/ 2010-06-01T00:00:00Z Abstract In this article, we explore whether policy network theory can be applied in the People’s Republic of China. We made a literature review of how this approach has already been dealt with in the Chinese policy sciences thus far and come to the conclusion that this has been done in some publications, but that these do not utilize its full potential. We then present the key concepts and research approach in policy networks theory in the Western literature and try these on a Chinese case to see the fit. Next, a description and analysis of the policy-making process regarding the health insurance reform in China from 1998 until now is given. Based on this case study, we argue that this body of theory is useful to describe and explain policy-making processes in the Chinese context. However, limitations in the generic model appear in capturing the fundamentally different political and administrative system, crucially different cultural values and applicability of some research methods common in Western countries. In the end, we address which political and cultural aspects turn out to be different in the PRC, how they affect methodological and practical problems that researchers will encounter when studying decision-making processes there and give some preliminary hints how these can be handled. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22074/ 2010-04-07T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22075/ 2010-03-01T00:00:00Z Due to the uncertainty involved in many complex infrastructure engineering projects, it is not always possible for managers to establish detailed terms of reference at the departure. Although the flexibility of ‘open’ terms of reference is often indispensible, it makes the arrival at a successful outcome much of a gamble. Complex infrastructure construction projects often include the tension that the values and interests of clients and functional managers diverge or even contradict each other. This is especially evident when managing the project management values of time, cost, scope and quality in relation to each other while the results of trade-offs and decisions can not be predicted. Client’s administrators defend objectifiable, instrumental values, while functional managers have an interest in relaxing them in order to realise the project. If these two contradictory sets of interests are not recalibrated, either the values are not met, or trade-offs may be made in an uncontrolled way, which can lead to suboptimisations or even project failure. Using RandstadRail as an example, this paper will show the problems that may occur in such situations and how unmanageability arises. A few lessons are derived to provide entrance to better manageable practice. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22008/ 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Abstract In this article, we explore whether policy network theory can be applied in the People’s Republic of China. We made a literature review of how this approach has already been dealt with in the Chinese policy sciences thus far and come to the conclusion that this has been done in some publications, but that these do not utilize its full potential. We then present the key concepts and research approach in policy networks theory in the Western literature and try these on a Chinese case to see the fit. Next, a description and analysis of the policy-making process regarding the health insurance reform in China from 1998 until now is given. Based on this case study, we argue that this body of theory is useful to describe and explain policy-making processes in the Chinese context. However, limitations in the generic model appear in capturing the fundamentally different political and administrative system, crucially different cultural values and applicability of some research methods common in Western countries. In the end, we address which political and cultural aspects turn out to be different in the PRC, how they affect methodological and practical problems that researchers will encounter when studying decision-making processes there and give some preliminary hints how these can be handled. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22078/ 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Abstract In order to improve road safety in the Netherlands, in 1992 the Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV) developed the evidence-based ‘Sustainable Safety’ concept. Dutch road safety policy, based on this concept, was quite successful and seen as a best practice in Europe. Recently the policy context has changed from a sectoral policy setting towards a fragmented network, in which safety is a facet of other transport-related policies. In this contribution, it is argued that the implementation strategy underlying Sustainable Safety should be aligned with the changed context. In order to explore the adjustments needed, two perspectives of policy implementation are discussed: (1) national evidence-based policies with sectoral implementation and (2) decentralised negotiation on transport policy in which road safety is only one aspect. We argue that the latter approach matches the characteristics of the newly evolved policy context best, and conclude with recommendations for reformulating the implementation strategy. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22087/ 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Complexe projecten worden gerealiseerd in een complexe omgeving. Dat maakt projecten nog complexer. Het negeren van die omgeving is geen optie. Want de omgeving wordt onder andere complex genoemd omdat deze zich tegen het project aan bemoeit. Een turbulente omgeving kan resulteren in late scopewijzigingen, hoogoplopende kosten, voortgaande discussies over nut en noodzaak zelfs tijdens de uitvoering, vertragingen en uitstel, soms zelfs afstel. Precies dat wat projectmanagement probeert te vermijden. De verwachtingen van omgevingsmanagement zijn dan ook hoog. Door de omgeving bij het project te betrekken en met de belangen van stakeholders rekening te houden wordt steun en vertrouwen opgebouwd, waardoor de projectrealisatie makkelijker verloopt. De inbreng van informatie en ideeën verrijkt de inhoud van het project: het resultaat kan zo een gemeenschappelijk project zijn, dat een breed scala aan maatschappelijke en publieke waarden realiseert. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22111/ 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Abstract The transition towards renewable energy production will not occur without the involvement of entrepreneurs who dare to take action amidst uncertainty. In an earlier article [1], a conceptual model was introduced for analyzing how perceived uncertainties influence the decisions and actions of entrepreneurs involved in innovation projects that aimed at developing and implementing renewable energy technologies. In this article, the conceptual model is applied to stand-alone biomass combustion projects in the Netherlands. Although none of the biomass combustion projects has been abandoned, some entrepreneurs clearly have more difficulty to turn their project into a success than others. To create insight into the underlying dynamics of these projects, the article analyzes what types of positive or negative interaction patterns occur over time between (internal or external) factors in the project environment, perceived uncertainties, motivation and entrepreneurial action and how these patterns can be stimulated or prevented. The results provide several lessons to take into account when designing policies for stimulating the development and implementation of biomass combustion. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22608/ 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22708/ 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z Onderzoeksopdracht en onderzoekvragen: Doel van het onderzoek was het tot stand brengen van een rapport, op basis waarvan de verantwoordelijk bestuurder verantwoording kan afleggen aan het Algemeen Bestuur van Haaglanden en lessen getrokken kunnen worden voor de aanpak van toekomstige grote infrastructuurprojecten. De volgende vragen stonden in het onderzoek centraal: - Wat was de feitelijke gang van zaken rond de gebeurtenissen en incidenten die zich bij de bouw en indienstneming van RandstadRail voordeden? - Welke rol speelde de organisatie en aansturing van het project op strategisch en bestuurlijke niveau daarbij in de periode vanaf 2001? - In hoeverre voldeden deze aan de eisen die daar, gegeven (toentertijd) geldende normen betreffende adequaat bestuur en management, aan gesteld dienen te worden? - Welke lessen kunnen hieruit geleerd worden ten aanzien van de organisatie en aansturing van toekomstige infrastructurele projecten? Onderzoeksaanpak: De werkwijze is als volgt geweest. Uitgaande van de incidenten is nagegaan welke gebeurtenissen en beslissingen daaraan ten grondslag lagen en welke actoren daarbij betrokken waren. Vervolgens is nagegaan voor welke dilemma’s de actoren zich op het moment van handelen gesteld zagen en in hoeverre zij, gegeven (professionele) normen die in de situatie waarin zij verkeerden golden, adequaat gehandeld hebben. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/11550/ 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z Within public administration and policy sciences the concept of policy networks nowadays is well accepted. Not much attention has been paid so far to strategies aimed at institutional design. Therefore, in this article, we develop a conceptual framework to study institutional design more thoroughly. We do this by specifying the nature and variety of institutional rules that guide the behaviour of actors within networks. Given this categorization of rules, we identify possible strategies to change network rules. Next, we focus on the strategic context of attempts to influence the nature of institutional rules: the process of institutional design. We conclude with suggestions to apply the conceptual framework to empirical research into the forms, impacts and implications of attempts to change the institutional features of policy networks. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22607/ 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z 1 Inleiding 1.1 Horizontaal bestuur en verticale instituties In de bestuurskundige literatuur én de beleidspraktijk zijn termen als ‘beleidsnetwerken’ en ‘governance’ in zwang (Pierre 2000; Kickert et al. 1997; Van Kersbergen en Van Waarden 2004). Zij weerspiegelen het inzicht dat overheidsbeleid tot stand komt en wordt uitgevoerd in een horizontale omgeving: een complex krachtenveld tussen wederzijds afhankelijke, maar relatief autonome publieke, private en maatschappelijke partijen. De horizontalisering van het bestuur is het resultaat van strategieën waarmee overheden zich aan hun complexe en onzekere omgeving proberen aan te passen. Deze pogingen worden in sterke mate gedreven door effectiviteitsverwegingen. Door interacties aan te gaan met partijen in haar omgeving probeert de overheid de effectiviteit van haar beleid en sturingsactiviteiten te verhogen ... http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22709/ 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z In this contribution, we provide a comparative analysis of the Dutch government’s attempts to realize private investments in three national railway mega-projects: the Betuwe Route, a dedicated freight railway line connecting the Rotterdam harbour to the German rail network, the High Speed Line (HSL South) between the Belgian border and Amsterdam and the Zuiderzee Line between Amsterdam and Groningen, for which a private consortium led by Siemens suggests the use of Maglev technology. The privatization of the first two railway lines was attempted for during the nineties and beginning of this decade. In June 2007 operation of the Betuwe Route began. To date, the government has not succeeded in involving private parties in the Betuwe Route. Although the privatization of the HSL South has partly been realized by engaging into a complex mix of contract-arrangements, it has proven difficult to keep under control. Recently operation has been postponed until October 2008. During the project study of the third railway project, which started in 2000, government again tried to realize privatization while avoiding the mistakes of the earlier two projects. In 2005 government decided not to move forward with the tender procedure and consider alternatives. Building on theory and earlier experiences with privatization and public private partnerships we compare the three cases with respect to motives for privatization, strategies and results. We seek explanations for the way privatization evolved within each project and generic lessons that can be drawn from the cases. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22609/ 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z