Street‐level bureaucrats as policy entrepreneurs and collaborators: Findings from Israel and Germany

Abstract

This comparative paper adds to the literature by exploring the connection between policy entrepreneurship and collaboration among street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs) in two countries. We asked if SLBs, as policy entrepreneurs, promote collaborative efforts in their work. If so, in what ways? The study was based on qualitative research and in‐depth semistructured interviews with 20 SLBs in social services in Israel and Germany. Our findings suggest that as policy entrepreneurs, SLBs use diverse ways of working together, and a higher level of policy change demands a higher level of collaboration. We offer three generic types of SLB policy entrepreneurs: collaborative policy entrepreneurs, collaborative‐coordinator policy entrepreneurs, and coordinator‐cooperative entrepreneurs. We suggest administrative cultures and policy styles may shed light on the presence of types of SLB policy entrepreneurs.

How Street-Level Bureaucrats Collaborate for Policy Entrepreneurship: Insights From Anti-Poverty Policy Implementation in China

“…This study has several limitations. First, it cannot cover all types of collaboration, such as those across jurisdictional divides (G. Cohen & Cohen, 2021) or cross-sectoral collaboration (Lahat et al, 2023;Loyens, 2019). Subsequent research may enrich the collaboration typology.…”

“…A series of studies previously examined how partnerships among government actors, citizens, social organizations, and private organizations contribute to policy and service innovation (Bommert, 2010; Callens, 2023; De Vries et al, 2016; Sørensen & Torfing, 2011). SLBs have a distinctive advantage in terms of building collaborative arrangements because they are embedded in network governance systems in which a variety of actors, including administrative leaders, colleagues, and clients, have close relations with one another (Considine & Lewis, 2003; Hupe & Hill, 2007; Lahat et al, 2023; Loyens, 2019). These relationships can provide SLBs with advice, knowledge, and materials during policy implementation (Arnold, 2013; Lotta & Marques, 2019; Nisar & Maroulis, 2017).…”

Street level bureaucrats, policy entrepreneurship, and discretion in enforcing bans on motorcycle taxis in Lagos, Nigeria

“…The first, which goes beyond the view of Tummers et al (2012) that policy implementation is “in fact” policy‐making, demonstrates that SLBs can be seen to act as PEs through the ways in which they implement policy (inter alia, Arnold, 2015; Durose, 2007; Petchey et al, 2008). The second strand presents evidence that SLBs undertake what we might call Kingdonian policy entrepreneurship; that is, SLBs act as SLPEs by their ability to influence policy design (inter alia, Cohen, 2021; Cohen & Aviram, 2021; Lahat et al, 2023).…”

Why we need to study street‐level policy entrepreneurs

“…Lahat et al (2023, this issue) innovate by bringing scholarship on street‐level policy entrepreneurship into conversation with the rich and expanding literature on collaborative governance. Drawing on 20 interviews with officials in Germany and Israel who provide social services, the authors find that street‐level policy entrepreneurs can be classified according to the levels and ways in which they collaborate.…”

“…How does street‐level policy entrepreneurship occur in different types of street‐level organizations, contexts and places? Comparative research like that pursued by Lahat et al (2023, this issue) will be particularly valuable in helping address these questions. Scholars can gain analytical leverage by doing qualitative analysis across multiple cases, selected in a strategic and principled way (e.g., “most similar” cases, “least similar” cases, and so on; see Seawright & Gerring, 2008), or by pursuing quantitative analysis particularly suited to testing the generalizability of theories developed in qualitative work.…”