Frames, agency and institutional change: the case of benchmarking in Danish construction

Abstract

This study examines change and the sources influencing the formulation and diffusion of policies in construction. The change examined is the introduction of a benchmarking policy initiative in the Danish construction industry. Using institutional theory with emphasis on the concepts of frames and framings, we show how strategically motivated actors are able to frame policy problems in ways that disclose the mixture of motives, interests and institutional mechanisms at play in change processes. In doing so, we contribute to the literature on the role of agency in institutional change and the framing of policy problems. We conclude by highlighting how insights gained from the framing perspective present a challenge to the dominant comprehensive rationalist view of the policy process and the formulation and implementation of reform initiatives.

Looking out to look in: inspiration from social sciences for construction management research

“…Hence, these studies do not actually focus on the multiplicity of responses. The same applies to the recent work on institutional logics by Rasmussen et al (2017) in the context of change in the Danish construction industry. Jia et al (2017), however, applied different pairs of institutional logics (religion and market) on different institutional levels (project and society) to address the gap between safety rules and safety behaviours.…”

Exploring collaboration within social housing retrofit practice for an ageing population: a single case study in the West of Scotland

“…This concept of strategic management and modernisation have become key to organisational effectiveness; emphasising the importance upon structures and its hierarchically regulated public sector (Krøtel, 2015;Mullins et al, 2001). Within this context, policy evaluation can be understood to be a means of providing evidence to legitimise policies and political commitments, rather than completing the policy cycle and providing feedback to improve policy design (Rasmussen et al, 2017;Sanderson, 2002). Thereafter, this process leads to the marketisation of functions, traditionally held within public sector, transforming policy-making away from joint programmes led by an active governance (Rasmussen, et al, 2017).…”

“…Within this context, policy evaluation can be understood to be a means of providing evidence to legitimise policies and political commitments, rather than completing the policy cycle and providing feedback to improve policy design (Rasmussen et al, 2017;Sanderson, 2002). Thereafter, this process leads to the marketisation of functions, traditionally held within public sector, transforming policy-making away from joint programmes led by an active governance (Rasmussen, et al, 2017). This can be represented within social housing's hierarchy and coordinating systems which are based on the principles of command and control, creating clear specification of roles, responsibilities and functions, with formalised communication and reporting procedures (Mullins et al, 2001).…”

Deregulation as socio-spatial transformation: Dimensions and consequences of shifting governmentalities in the Danish construction industry

“…These features were evident in the policymaking and regulation efforts of the 1940-1960s, where the Danish government preferred a rational comprehensive regulatory approach to policymaking (Rasmussen et al, 2017) as evidenced by some of the central regulations of that period. On 30 April 1946, law no.…”