Towards productive functions? A systematic review of institutional failure, its causes and consequences
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In: Policy Sciences, Vol. 52, No. 2, 15.06.2019, p. 281-298.
Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Towards productive functions?
T2 - A systematic review of institutional failure, its causes and consequences
AU - Derwort, Pim
AU - Jager, Nicolas
AU - Newig, Jens
PY - 2019/6/15
Y1 - 2019/6/15
N2 - Recognised as an integral part of the political process, the topic of institutional failure has recently received increased attention in the literature, particularly with respect to policy failure. Nevertheless, the difference between various types and aspects of failure is unclear conceptually, hampering the development of cumulative theory building into its causes and consequences. Furthermore, while ample attention has been paid to negative consequences, insights into the possibly ‘productive functions’ of failure are scattered and largely remain on the fringes of existing research. The present paper offers a systematic review of the failure literature, particularly its definitions, causes and consequences, setting existing research in the different scholarly fields in relation to each other. Special emphasis is placed on the ways failure may serve to advance the effectiveness and efficacy of public policy and the wider political system, opening ‘windows of opportunity’ as leverage points for institutional change. In doing so, we identify a number of factors which may facilitate or hinder the activation of this productive potential on an individual, institutional, and societal level.
AB - Recognised as an integral part of the political process, the topic of institutional failure has recently received increased attention in the literature, particularly with respect to policy failure. Nevertheless, the difference between various types and aspects of failure is unclear conceptually, hampering the development of cumulative theory building into its causes and consequences. Furthermore, while ample attention has been paid to negative consequences, insights into the possibly ‘productive functions’ of failure are scattered and largely remain on the fringes of existing research. The present paper offers a systematic review of the failure literature, particularly its definitions, causes and consequences, setting existing research in the different scholarly fields in relation to each other. Special emphasis is placed on the ways failure may serve to advance the effectiveness and efficacy of public policy and the wider political system, opening ‘windows of opportunity’ as leverage points for institutional change. In doing so, we identify a number of factors which may facilitate or hinder the activation of this productive potential on an individual, institutional, and societal level.
KW - Government failure
KW - Learning
KW - Leverage points
KW - Policy failure
KW - Reform
KW - Politics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85056326928&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11077-018-9339-z
DO - 10.1007/s11077-018-9339-z
M3 - Scientific review articles
VL - 52
SP - 281
EP - 298
JO - Policy Sciences
JF - Policy Sciences
SN - 0032-2687
IS - 2
ER -