M.J.W. van Twist

Automatic pattern detection in stakeholder networks

The values and opinions of the stakeholders involved in a decision-making process are the key to its outcome. Reflection on how stakeholders perceive a situation, and on the consequences of these perceptions for the decision outcome is an intellectually demanding exercise. To support analysis, we have developed a conceptual modeling tool called DANA (Dynamic Actor Network Analysis). The modeling language is based on the policy network paradigm and embodies concepts from cognitive mapping and linguistic approaches to approximate reasoning. In this paper, we investigate how certain interesting properties of stakeholder networks modeled with DANA can be determined algorithmically. Automatic detection of the factors most relevant to a policy situation, and of disagreement and conflict among stakeholders may help the analyst in focusing her analysis.

EV Policy Compared: An International Comparison of Governments’ Policy Strategy Towards E-Mobility

This paper addresses and explores the different strategies governments pursue to support the introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This paper presents findings from a European research project that mapped current policies in eight countries, with California as a comparative case to contrast the European findings. The authors analysed the policy strategies that countries have put to practice and analyse how they have performed so far. Arguably, many countries appear to be on track to achieving their short-term goals; in that sense, EV policy is successful. However, once the longer term policy goals for e-mobility are taken into account, it is unlikely that the current policies will be sufficient. Therefore, the authors point out some lessons from current policies that may show a route into the next phase of the introduction of e-mobility. The paper is part of the Interreg e-mobility North Sea Region (E-Mobility NSR) partnership project, which is co-funded by the EU and participating countries/regions/organisations.

The Contested Autonomy of Policy Advisory Bodies: The Trade-off Between Autonomy and Control of Policy Advisory Bodies in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden

Autonomy and control are important dynamics in each advisory system. Autonomy is important because it ensures independent and critical advice and allows advisors to ‘speak truth to power’ (Wildavsky 1989; Pielke 2010). At the same time, government control is also an important aspect (Van Twist et al. 2015; Craft and Halligan 2015; Halligan 1995) to assure that advices are on-topic, on-time, in the right format, and relevant for government decision-making,- and policymaking processes. This paper describes the trade-off the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom make with regard to the level of ‘autonomy’ and ‘control’ of their policy advisory bodies. We make a distinction between legal, economic, and operational means (Kunneke 1991) through which autonomy is stimulated or control is exercised on a managerial and policy (primary processes) level of policy advisory bodies.

IV. La gouvernance publique aux Pays-Bas

Van Twist Mark J.W., Van Montfort C.J. IV. La gouvernance publique aux Pays-Bas. In: Annuaire des collectivites locales. Tome 26, 2006. La gouvernance territoriale. pp. 165-181.

Complexity requires complexity: creating fits between technology and public decision-making in large projects

The tension between technological development and public decision-making is analysed, in particular regarding large projects. Technological options and decision-making processes tend not to be attuned, which lessens the quality of the decision-making. Explanations for this tension are explored using theories of public decision-making and of technology dynamics. It appears that both technology development and public decision-making are unstructured and unpredictable. It is argued that, in trying to improve the fit between the two, one should not attempt to change these characteristics, but rather start to deal with them in an intelligent way. In order to do this, several management strategies are developed.