New Public Management (NPM) is a package of organizational reforms which have been implemented in large parts of the world. NPM reforms hold elements of centralization as well as of fragmentation. This article focuses on the balance between these elements, providing a comparative perspective by analysing the railway sector in each of the Scandinavian countries. The empirical basis is document analyses and qualitative research interviews. The article has two aims. First, attention is directed towards understanding the mixture of fragmentation and coordination in each country. Second, efforts are made to explain differences in national mixtures. Explanations are derived from four analytical perspectives: (1) fragmentation and coordination trajectory; (2) path dependency; (3) the punctuated equilibrium metaphor and (4) political orientation. The differences seem to find their cause in divergent political-administrative traditions, as well as in current events. No single analytical perspective, however, provides a comprehensive explanation on all differences observed.
This study, based on two questionnaire surveys from two cities in Norway with different climate conditions, explores to which extent weather tolerance in terms of travel behaviour -here defined as using a non-motorized vehicle despite poor weather conditions (precipitation and/or cold weather) -is related to socio-demographic factors, environmental attitudes, transport habits as well as the climate conditions (coastal/inland) of where people live. Three indicators are used to measure 'weather tolerance': a) Disagreement to the statement "I always drive when it rains"; b) Willingness to walk 2-3 kilometers in minus 10 degrees Celsius or more in steady snowfall (yes/no), and c) Willingness to walk 2-3 kilometer in +20 degrees Celsius or more in steady rainfall" (yes/no). The study finds that environmental attitudes and travel habits (as perceived by the respondents) are the factors most strongly related to weather tolerance, independent on how it is measured, when other factors are controlled for. The findings suggest that policy measures to change attitudes/ increase environmental awareness as well as promoting outdoor activity in general can be effective in terms of making people choose active transportation even in poor weather conditions. This might be important steps to reduce the likelihood of car use in the future, when extreme weathers are to become more likely.
This paper assesses the circumstances under which the schemes and models of public transport funding in one country can be applied in another country. Acceptance and similarity are presented as key concepts when considering new PT funding measures. Norway is taken as an illustrative example in exploring the probability that a certain measure will be accepted, and what degree of similarity is necessary, if adopting new funding schemes from other countries is to be successful. Through this approach, we aim to explore how acceptance and similarity interact. are presented can also generate barriers, and thus there is reason to look more closely at the relationship between measure characteristics and context.
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