International networks as drivers of agency independence: the case of the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council

This article discusses how the extension of network governance influences the de facto independence of regulatory agencies. Assuming that agencies gain de facto independence vis-à-vis the government when they experience a substantive increase in their reputation, we argue that agency participation i...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bianculli, Andrea C., Jordana, Jacint, García Juanatey, Ana
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Repositorio:Repositorio Digital de la UPF
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.upf.edu:10230/42219
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/42219
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0095399715581034
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Network governance
Regulatory agencies
Independence
Nuclear energy
Spain
Descripción
Sumario:This article discusses how the extension of network governance influences the de facto independence of regulatory agencies. Assuming that agencies gain de facto independence vis-à-vis the government when they experience a substantive increase in their reputation, we argue that agency participation in international governance networks contributes to strengthened agency domestic positions due to organizational learning and the expansion of expert knowledge involved in such interactions. Based on a case study of the Spanish nuclear regulatory agency (Nuclear Safety Council [CSN]), the article highlights how its involvement in international governance networks promoted the agency’s de facto independence during the 2000s.