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The influence of Non-Governmental Organisations on European Union policy processes - An explorative study on the role of Non-Governmental Organisations during the policy process that went prior to the incandescent light bulb phase-out.

OUDELAAR, N. (2015) The influence of Non-Governmental Organisations on European Union policy processes - An explorative study on the role of Non-Governmental Organisations during the policy process that went prior to the incandescent light bulb phase-out.

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Abstract:Innovation of socio-technical systems often comes with highly complex policy processes permeated by conflicts between rival organisations. Characteristic for these innovations is that it is frequently accompanied by the discontinuation of governance. The structure of influences during these processes is an underdeveloped subject in literature, especially the influences of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This thesis contains an explorative case study into the policy processes within the European Union (EU), with special attention to the roles that environmental- and consumer NGOs play during these EU policy processes. The policy process that went prior to the controversial phase-out of the incandescent light bulb (ILB) within the EU serves as the case of investigation. Not much is known what the roles of environmental- and consumer NGOs in reality were and how they strategically manoeuvred during Consultation Forums (CF) by means of pressuring and lobbying. By use of these forums the EU opened its doors for a more transparent and legitimate policy process and every organisation could subscribe for a seat during the CFs to give expression of their opinions and expertise. The Commission divided the seats with the purpose to give a balanced representation of the EU. And even though the NGOs were heavily outnumbered by the industry representatives, it turned out that NGOs were highly involved during this process of which there didn’t seem to be any major opponents. With use of qualitative research methods like abduction and grounded theory this study attempts to construct a conceptualization of how NGOs lobby and what the main elements of their influence is on EU policy processes are.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:70 social sciences in general, 88 social and public administration
Programme:Public Administration MSc (60020)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/68779
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