TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kuhlmann, Sabine
A1  - Wayenberg, Ellen
T1  - Institutional impact assessment in multi-level systems: conceptualizing decentralization effects from a comparative perspective
T2  - International review of administrative sciences : an international journal of comparative public administration
N2  - Comparative literature on institutional reforms in multi-level systems proceeds from a global trend towards the decentralization of state functions. However, there is only scarce knowledge about the impact that decentralization has had, in particular, upon the sub-central governments involved. How does it affect regional and local governments? Do these reforms also have unintended outcomes on the sub-central level and how can this be explained? This article aims to develop a conceptual framework to assess the impacts of decentralization on the sub-central level from a comparative and policy-oriented perspective. This framework is intended to outline the major patterns and models of decentralization and the theoretical assumptions regarding de-/re-centralization impacts, as well as pertinent cross-country approaches meant to evaluate and compare institutional reforms. It will also serve as an analytical guideline and a structural basis for all the country-related articles in this Special Issue.

Points for practitioners

Decentralization reforms are approved as having a key role to play in the attainment of ‘good governance’. Yet, there is also the enticement on the part of state governments to offload an ever-increasing amount of responsibilities to, and overtask, local levels of government, which can lead to increasing performance disparities within local sub-state jurisdictions. Against this background, the article provides a conceptual framework to assess reform impacts from a comparative perspective. The analytical framework can be used by practitioners to support their decisions about new decentralization strategies or necessary adjustments regarding ongoing reform measures.
KW  - administrative reform
KW  - comparison
KW  - coordination
KW  - effectiveness
KW  - efficiency
KW  - impact assessment
KW  - institutional reform
KW  - local government
Y1  - 2016
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/9242
SN  - 0020-8523
SN  - 1461-7226
VL  - 82
IS  - 2
SP  - 233
EP  - 272
PB  - Sage
CY  - London
ER  -