Renters associations in the Netherlands are struggling with decreasing membership numbers and connecting with their constituency, threatening their ability to participate in- and shape policymaking...Show moreRenters associations in the Netherlands are struggling with decreasing membership numbers and connecting with their constituency, threatening their ability to participate in- and shape policymaking in a futureproof way (Raeflex, 2021; Terlingen, 2016). Yet renters organisations are expected to play a bigger part representing interests in policies regarding residential issues (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, 2022) and are perceived to have a mandate on behalf of ‘the renters’ (Terlingen 2016). In this paper, the relationship between membership involvement (x) and group accountability (y) will be investigated with a quantitative, deductive approach. It will be built on the (quantitative) frameworks by Fraussen et al., (2021) for ‘group accountability’ with dimensions of ‘information, discussion and consequence’ and Albareda (2018) for ‘member involvement’ with dimensions of ‘interaction, decision making and local chapters’. The case being investigated is five renters organisations of the housing corporation QuaWonen within the Krimpenerwaard (South-Holland). Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with the executive level of renters organisations. The research question posed is: ‘How does membership involvement affect group accountability from the perspective of the board members of renters organisations?’ Findings tentatively show that the ability of renters organisations to function as transmission belts, translating policy preferences of their members, is mainly limited by membership involvement. Members can experience barriers to involvement. Accountability is improved by involvement through by being informed, being able to discuss and asking questions.Show less
This thesis describes the deductive research concerning the role of stakeholders in the policy process of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It aims to answer the following research question: what...Show moreThis thesis describes the deductive research concerning the role of stakeholders in the policy process of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It aims to answer the following research question: what is the role of stakeholders in the policy failures regarding the sustainability of the Common Fisheries Policy? To that end, interviews and a document analysis are completed. The case of the 2013 CFP reform is chosen because it is innovative in the contribution of stakeholders. The growing participation of environmental NGOs led to the adoption of new environmental measures such as Maximum Sustainable Yield and the landing obligation (Orach et al., 2017). Hence, the 2013 CFP should have led to a sustainable management of fisheries. However, in reality the CFP has not been able to achieve the results it set out to do. In spite of progress in the Atlantic seas, the CFP has not prevented overfishing of stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Sea (COM, 2018). For this reason this thesis treats the CFP as policy failure. In order to explain policy failure, the mechanistic approach is used. When the policy process is regarded as a system of mechanisms, it becomes possible to identify causal relations (Van der Heijden, 2021). Within this approach, first-order mechanisms directly alter stakeholder behaviour during the decision making process. In a second-order mechanism, the effects of this behaviour achieve a particular policy outcome (Capano, 2020). Specifically, certain first-order mechanisms such as competition and blame avoidance behaviour are connected to certain second-order mechanisms, negative framing and countermobilization, resulting in a negative feedback loop, thus failure (Compton & ‘t Hart, 2019). However, it turns out to be difficult to fit the mechanisms at work in the CFP policy process in one feedback loop. Mechanisms from different feedback loops occur at the same time, rendering it impractical to find a straightforward cause of policy failure. Moreover, in reality the difference between first and second-order mechanisms is ambiguous. Therefore, it is concluded the mechanistic approach has limited explanatory value concerning the role of stakeholders in a policy failure. Nevertheless, it is indicated the behaviour of stakeholders during the policy process impacts their evaluation of policy. In this case, the environmental NGOs displayed willingness to reform, whereas the fisheries representatives were more reluctant. Environmental NGOs consider the CFP failed because the implementation is deficient and compliance is low, although the policy itself is sufficient. On the contrary, fisheries representatives explain the fault is in the policy design. That is why it is argued reluctance corresponds with policy failure and willingness with programmatic failure. Second, stakeholders engage in image building. Throughout the process, actors create perceptions about each other, which clash with their own perspectives. The divergent expectations limit the capacity to collaborate because actors feel they can never live up to expectations. As this impacts compliance negatively, this might be another reason why the CFP has not succeeded.Show less
This research examines the impact of cross-border trade on active labour market programs (ALMPs) in European Union (EU) member states from 2004 to 2019. The increased economic integration in the EU...Show moreThis research examines the impact of cross-border trade on active labour market programs (ALMPs) in European Union (EU) member states from 2004 to 2019. The increased economic integration in the EU has led to challenges in implementing effective ALMPs as workers, firms, and capital have become more mobile and less limited by national borders. Policymakers must understand how ALMPs react to this process to make effective policy choices. Furthermore, this research explores three theories that examine the impact of cross-border trade on ALMPs: the Heckscher-Ohlin model, which focuses on comparative advantages; the endogenous growth theory, which emphasises increased market access; and the human capital theory, which highlights the importance of investing in human capital for economic growth. Based on these three perspectives, the paper hypothesises that cross-border trade did affect active labour market policies in European Union member states from 2004 to 2019. Moreover, the findings on the relationship between ALMPs and cross-border trade suggest that cross-border trade has a significant negative large impact on ALMP expenditure in highly technologically developed countries. Next to that, export and import negatively impact ALMP expenditure, but economic openness in the import-only regression positively affects ALMP spending, aligning with the endogenous growth theory. The overall negative effect stems from technology replacing human capital investment due to reduced demand for moderately skilled workers, and increased mobility may cause spill-over issues as workers migrate to countries with more generous ALMPs. Examining the relationship between cross-border trade and ALMP expenditure sub-variables in highly technologically developed countries, a significant negative relationship with employment incentives, supported employment and rehabilitation, and direct job creation expenditures is found. However, this effect is minimal. To conclude, utilising panel data regressions and theories like the HO model, endogenous growth theory, and human capital theory, the findings indicate that countries with higher cross-border trade levels are expected to spend less on ALMPs, contrary to theoretical expectations. Although the difference is small, it is essential for policy decisions, as it highlights potential spill-over problems due to increased mobility from open borders. The research offers valuable insights into the relationship between cross-border trade and ALMPs for policymakers and academics.Show less
1. ABSTRACT It is well-known that owning and retaining high motivation in an organisation is significant and will positively impact the employee and the employer. High motivation can cause improved...Show more1. ABSTRACT It is well-known that owning and retaining high motivation in an organisation is significant and will positively impact the employee and the employer. High motivation can cause improved job performance and -satisfaction. The public sector recruitment process consists of several phases where several components and factors of a job applicant are measured and analyzed to find the most suitable person for the job. Unfortunately, there is not enough space to focus on the recruitment process's principal components and phases. As a consequence, this inductive qualitative study will analyze the importance of expected motivation during the interview procedure of the public sector recruitment process, through the eyes of recruiters. Thereafter, there will be analyzed and investigated if different motivational values occur on different levels in public sector organizations. As already mentioned, this study has a qualitative inductive approach and by interviewing eight recruiters on as well local, regional, and national levels, it has been tried to find a valid answer to the research question. In this study, practical knowledge from recruiters is mixed with scientific theoretical knowledge to give a well-grounded analysis of the finding. In the end, this study has several interesting findings and generated innovative knowledge about the significance of motivation during the interview process. First, there must be stated that most recruiters think that motivation is in general still an important concept in the public sector recruitment process. Although, some respondents think that motivation is only really important in certain vacancies and job applications. During the interview process, many respondents share the opinion that working in the public sector requires intrinsic motivation, and therefore this type of motivation is valuable for job applicants. In addition, many respondents think that extrinsic motivation, regarding financial rewards and bonuses, does not have a high utility and is not necessary to have in public sector organizations. Furthermore, several types and theories of motivation mentioned in this study will be distinguished based on the Social Determination Theory and will be converted into practical knowledge in the analysis. Additionally, the Public Service Motivation and Organismic Integration Theory are discussed, and if these theories have any influence on the interview process. Finally, the Cognitive Evaluation Theory is described and it is explained how this may affect the local and national level values of motivation in the public sector.Show less
This study looks at how web-based hiring affects candidate appeal from the standpoint of public sector job searchers. The study is a qualitative research project that examines the effects of web-...Show moreThis study looks at how web-based hiring affects candidate appeal from the standpoint of public sector job searchers. The study is a qualitative research project that examines the effects of web- based recruitment tactics on candidate attraction through interviews with HR managers and job seekers. The research's conclusions imply that the public sector's branding, which is supported by the organizational attractiveness and image theory theories, has a favourable impact on the hiring process. The Social Exchange Theory-aligned reputation of the public sector as a good employer generally is also discovered to be a crucial element in luring candidates. Additionally, the Environmental Fit Theory-related provision of clear and thorough information about open positions and employment expectations plays a critical role in encouraging job seekers to apply for positions in the public sector. The study's findings highlight the importance of taking public service motivation (PSM) into account as a factor in job applicants' attractiveness to positions in the public sector and shed light on how closely personal beliefs coincide with the goals of public organizations. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to take these elements into account when developing web-based recruitment tactics in order to draw in competent applicants and improve the overall efficacy of the hiring process in the public sector. In order to influence future research and public sector hiring practices, the findings offer insightful information to both researchers and practitioners.Show less
With the war in Ukraine, the role of NATO in Europe and its enlargement towards the east is relevant more than ever. This study looked at the enlargement of NATO since the end of the Cold War. The...Show moreWith the war in Ukraine, the role of NATO in Europe and its enlargement towards the east is relevant more than ever. This study looked at the enlargement of NATO since the end of the Cold War. The main reason for NATO’s existence, to deter Soviet aggression, no longer exist. So why did NATO continue to exist in the 21st century and why did it expand to the east? The purpose of this study is to look at a specific part of this enlargement, the bureaucracy of the alliance. The following research question has been used: To what extent did the bureaucracy of NATO influence the organisation’s Eastern enlargement since the collapse of the Soviet Union? To answer this question, research has been done on the different enlargement steps since the fall of the Berlin Wall up to the present. The role of the bureaucracy, including the secretary general of NATO, in relation to the member states was examined step by step. The analysis shows that the bureaucracy of NATO itself had almost no say in its enlargement. The fall of the Berlin wall symbolizes the beginning of the change NATO had undergone. However, it was the United States that played the most influential role on the alliance’s enlargement towards east with initiating NATO’s most important documents for allowing new member states.Show less
This thesis delves into the implementation and perceived effects of the 3-5-7-model, the Dutch central governments version of job rotation. Previous job rotation literature indicates predominantly...Show moreThis thesis delves into the implementation and perceived effects of the 3-5-7-model, the Dutch central governments version of job rotation. Previous job rotation literature indicates predominantly positive effects for job rotation, such as increased motivation and productivity of rotated employees. Rotating is said to be at the cost of specialization and expertise. The current field of job rotation is solely focused on the private sector, whereas the Dutch central government is a public organization. This thesis uses a qualitative research approach which consists of four semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and were coded thematically with semantic coding. The main finding of this thesis is the lack of implementation and enforcement of the 3-5-7-model. Employees can decide themselves how and when they want to rotate. The perceived effects of the rotating appear to be similar to rotating in private organizations. The four most noted perceived effects of rotating (Career development, New insights and energy, Knowledge deficit and Costs inoutgoing teams) seem to relate to the private sector. Given this information the Dutch central government can implement the 3-5-7-model further and look at the private literature to help them with the implementation.Show less
This thesis examines the causes of the current differences in water safety policy between japan and the Netherlands. Due to the increasing effects of climate change, countries along the coast may...Show moreThis thesis examines the causes of the current differences in water safety policy between japan and the Netherlands. Due to the increasing effects of climate change, countries along the coast may experience flooding problems sooner. A comparison of the causes of the differences could add value to the current knowledge regarding the future threat of flooding. The causes of these differences in approach are examined from the theory of policy learningShow less
ABSTRACT This study will examine to what extent possible democratic backsliding in Croatia is occurring. Comparisons are drawn between the widely covered democratic backsliding in Hungary and the...Show moreABSTRACT This study will examine to what extent possible democratic backsliding in Croatia is occurring. Comparisons are drawn between the widely covered democratic backsliding in Hungary and the possible democratic backsliding in Croatia. To operationalize democracy and its backlash a theory first coined by Levitsky and Way will be used, Competitive Authoritarianism. The study will assess how Croatia scores on the different indicators that CA is composed of. One of the key findings of this study is that in both countries an electoral system exists with unbalanced constituencies, which can substantially influence election results. Another similarity that can be drawn on the basis of this study is of the politicized media authorities. The institutions that should be ensuring independence of the media are heavily politicized themselves, thus not independent. As far as lawsuits against journalists on the basis of libel and defamation the situation in both countries is problematic and raising concerns. Lawsuits against journalists are not often initiated by politicians and public figures, this leads to self-censorship of the media. Where claims about disadvantaging critical media financially can be made for the case of Hungary, for Croatia no strong evidence exist this is occurring. The main finding of the study is that the trends emerging within Hungary in regard to democratic backsliding only partially manifest themselves in Croatian society since EU accession. Due to the emerging characteristics of a CA regime the status of democracy in Croatia must be further examined.Show less
Development cooperation has grown ever more important in recent years as it has become increasingly tied to domestic political preferences. It is sometimes seen as a tool to accomplish objectives...Show moreDevelopment cooperation has grown ever more important in recent years as it has become increasingly tied to domestic political preferences. It is sometimes seen as a tool to accomplish objectives tied to the latter. To be sure, that notion is applicable to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTFA), born in the wake of the 2015 migrant crisis out of a desire to severely limit migration to the EU. Although it was created as an emergency fund, its scope and organisational design do not reflect this label and have ever outgrown it, until the merging of the EUTFA in the European Commission’s new ‘Global Europe’ instrument in 2021. This paper analyses 8 EUTFA programmes along a frame of public administration theory and various relevant literature. In concert with EUFTA reports it answers multiple questions aimed at understanding the influence of organisational design on development cooperation, specifically in the complex environment of a politically laden fund. Do domestic policies take precedence over aiding countries in the European Neighbourhood?Show less
This paper addresses the effect of EU identity on EU citizens’ support for integrative EU policy. Based on the social identity approach it is hypothesized that positive relationship between these...Show moreThis paper addresses the effect of EU identity on EU citizens’ support for integrative EU policy. Based on the social identity approach it is hypothesized that positive relationship between these variables exists. Additionally the study attempts to replicate the findings of Carey (2002) that national identity strength impairs support for EU integration. Quantitative deductive research is conducted using Eurobarometer (2022) data. The models control for levels of income and education, political beliefs, and trust in national government. Results from seven binary logistic regressions and two multiple linear regressions show significant effects of EU identity on support for integrative EU policy and indicate that EU identity is a valuable addition to more established theories of support for EU integration. Furthermore, this study contradicts the findings of Carey (2002) that national identity strength hampers EU support.Show less
Why did neighboring countries respond differently to the same disaster? To formulate an answer, this research analyses the opposing responses of Germany and France to the Fukushima nuclear disaster...Show moreWhy did neighboring countries respond differently to the same disaster? To formulate an answer, this research analyses the opposing responses of Germany and France to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. This focusing event triggered responses from governments around the world about their own nuclear sector. The Event-related Policy Framework by Birkland (1998) allows to explain the different responses by analyzing the media coverage and group mobilization, in the form of protests, in both countries. The framework shows that several aspects of the media coverage can influence people’s perceptions on an issue. When their perception does not align with the policy, people are likely to protest and these protests put pressure on the government to change policy. This research argues that the volume of coverage on the event, the use of harmed nuclear plant images and the amount of (negative) references to the domestic nuclear sector can explain why the governments of France and Germany responded differently, or even opposingly.Show less
