Policy entrepreneurs are considered key actors in public policy. However, there are so many definitions of what they can do that it is difficult to use this concept in a systematic, analytical way. Starting with a critique of the tendency to overstretch the concept of the policy entrepreneur, we propose a more parsimonious conceptualisation by de-personalising entrepreneurial actions and by focusing on a specific pattern of action whose main task is to promote innovation. Thus, policy entrepreneurship is conceptualised as a pattern of action (involving different types of actors) focused on innovation promotion that is pursued by activities such as framing a problem, developing solutions, building a coalition in support, and seeking opportunities and attention. We also highlight prevalent resources for those activities. We then apply this conceptualisation to two cases of urban planning in Italy to discuss the activities of successful policy entrepreneurship as a collective effort.

From policy entrepreneurs to policy entrepreneurship: actors and actions in public policy innovation / G. Capano, M.T. Galanti. - In: POLICY AND POLITICS. - ISSN 0305-5736. - 49:3(2021), pp. 321-342. [10.1332/030557320X15906842137162]

From policy entrepreneurs to policy entrepreneurship: actors and actions in public policy innovation

M.T. Galanti
Ultimo
2021

Abstract

Policy entrepreneurs are considered key actors in public policy. However, there are so many definitions of what they can do that it is difficult to use this concept in a systematic, analytical way. Starting with a critique of the tendency to overstretch the concept of the policy entrepreneur, we propose a more parsimonious conceptualisation by de-personalising entrepreneurial actions and by focusing on a specific pattern of action whose main task is to promote innovation. Thus, policy entrepreneurship is conceptualised as a pattern of action (involving different types of actors) focused on innovation promotion that is pursued by activities such as framing a problem, developing solutions, building a coalition in support, and seeking opportunities and attention. We also highlight prevalent resources for those activities. We then apply this conceptualisation to two cases of urban planning in Italy to discuss the activities of successful policy entrepreneurship as a collective effort.
entrepreneurial strategies; innovation; policy actors; policy change; policy entrepreneurs; policy entrepreneurship; public policy; urban planning
Settore SPS/04 - Scienza Politica
2021
22-giu-2020
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
accepted P&P_From policy entreprenurs to policy entrepreneurship.pdf

Open Access dal 23/06/2021

Tipologia: Post-print, accepted manuscript ecc. (versione accettata dall'editore)
Dimensione 443.93 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
443.93 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
1470-8442-article-p321.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 540.53 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
540.53 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/747637
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 23
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 23
social impact