Editorial Introduction: Exploring policy diffusion, collaborative governance, and policy conflict

The arrival of spring comes with some exciting new changes to the Policy Studies Journal, including addition multiple members our editorial team. We hope you will join us in welcoming board Dr. Amber Boydstun (UC-Davis, USA), Carla Flink (American University, Laura Jensen (Virginia Tech, and Robin Lemaire USA) as they begin making what we know be significant contributions continual improvement journal's article selections publications. current issue's articles span three central themes public policy research: role internal external cues diffusion processes, importance representation success collaborative governance public's experience service delivery, impact direct political participation on outcomes. summarize major findings each study, emphasizing how understanding these topics can best approach future research areas. first half this concerns inter-state diffusion, a longstanding concern research. Previous studies have led insights about factors that influence form innovation, neighbor ideological (e.g., Linder et al., 2020; Mallinson, 2021b) stakeholder (Collingwood 2019; Crow 2020). However, Mallinson (2021a) argues, relatively little whether predictors are stable throughout diffused policy's life course, or previous single-or small-policy truly representative general process different arenas. Specifically, leverages large dataset policies help overcome problems statistical power affecting used small sets innovations test differential effects influences, characteristics, attributes. Mallinson's pooled event history analysis, examining 566 from Boehmke al.’s (2020) State Innovation Diffusion (SPID) database adopted by U.S. states between 1960 2016, finds both signals slack resources dynamics do, fact, change spread. Among his findings, determines less professionalized legislatures tend adopt later stages; neighboring occurs early course but is then supplanted learning among late laggard adopters; state wealth population increase probability adopting especially its progresses. These results important implications for further development innovation theory, guide practitioners advocates alike seek predict promote next four focus particular individuals who within single policymaking body. Makse (2021), example, analyzes key might affect at stages consideration. This utilizes multilevel logistic regression model analyze expertise committee membership legislator's decision champion predicting bill authorship cosponsorship 14 criminal justice 42 1993 2004. indicate that, agenda-setting stage, consideration ideas depends heavily actions specialists serve relevant committees well hold backgrounds question. When newer, groups more likely author cosponsor bills, while their becomes consistently diffuses. suggest scholars should attend size stability legislative systems when trying understand processes. Vallett (2021) probes played innovations, analyzing child abuse policy. He uses analysis investigate entrepreneurs influenced adoption Erin's Law 30 2011 2017. Building upon work helped illuminate see Arnold, Anderson Callaghan & Sylvester, 2021), entrepreneur's expert valued legislators so increases likelihood adopts policy, bordering federal legislation do not always encourage diffusion. issue also presents advancements study an individual support cues’ vary measured differently, such versus floor voting. Parinandi al. examine data voting records bills renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) electric companies across 1994 2011. In attempt integrate pre-adoption stage extant scholarship focuses overwhelmingly adoption, authors’ ideologically contiguous pronounced than earlier RPS bill. As result, argue validates scholars’ stage. While remain others’ reminds value past experiences. Malkamäki belief homophily, reputational influence, co-participation forums explain information exchange building trust actors address common-pool resource dilemmas. authors polycentric, complex wherein interact leverage pursue goals (Berardo Lubell, Mewhirter Berardo, 2019), diversity rule-based institutions lays foundations learning. Utilizing context South African tree plantation use exponential random graph models (ERGMs) semi-structured interview 59 organizations impacted land use. find those similar beliefs close triads rather leave them open other stakeholders. echo chambers play network formation. Beach continue emphasis introducing two-stage analogical reasoning based cognitive psychology, where preferred solutions justified strengthened policymakers opinions subsequently make decisions. By conducting plausibility probe case European Union's (EU) Banking Union, show plays setting parameters debates. core causal lessons transferred being considered thereby shape discussion debate. insight helps why specific privileged over others offers literature surrounding Nowlin, Drolc underscore tackling outstanding methodological scholarship. particular, spatial temporal understudied. temporally lagged lags (TLSLs) ignores reality limited one time period persist time. influencing observations, much longer-lasting effects. choices specification risk falsely inferring outcome illustrate misspecification issues providing two applications which otherwise well-specified result drastically inferences They follow novel software researchers utilize work. series points representatives course. Policymakers formulation placement (and thus societal) agenda, legal implementation. democratic polities, typically assume arenas consistent preferences constituents But if roles serve? More specifically, does better diverse communities identities represented stages? Is identity empirically actual implementation policy? under second theme, Johnston Holt bureaucracy theory privately prisons, arguing prison management still largely Using administrative 2000 2005 Census Federal Adult Correctional Facilities, (OLS) relationship approach, staff demographic representation, performance programming sample 1378 prisons 45 states. Their offer theory's expectation relationships demographically citizen-client-inmates may enhance desired organizational outcomes reduced violence. Shared values norms flow resembling reduce transaction costs civil servant–client improve Importantly, appear manifest private raising critical questions managed United States. Dobbin Lubell emphasize disadvantaged (or DACs) groundwater governance. primary secondary data, formal DACs 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act California modeling state's sustainability agencies (GSAs). Despite requirements DAC inclusion governance, small, low-income, politically marginalized were included advantaged constituents. matter: specifically designed collaboration achieved greater GSAs themselves institution like city. Surprisingly disappointingly, there area, any was actually GSA. skillfully combines environmental quantitatively assess causes consequences procedural reform case, serving natural contexts. notion improves experiences meeting concerns, it well-known distinct perspectives participation. final lead mobilization public, policymaker activities. determined, link feedback mobilization, identifying mechanisms through processes mobilize mass publics (Larsen, 2019). Davis continues line interactions government institutions—and carceral particular—may argues negative system exploits individual's economic human capital; influences directly interpretive structural equation national survey collected 2010 estimate contact participation, controlling variables efficacy, well-being, interest politics, associated stressors. has effect well-being mediated diminished well-being. narrowing had below level incarceration family been incarcerated, Davis's contributes various institutional entangled feelings participation—a finding holds reform. Continuing process, Rosenthal paradigm associates upper tier (universal) programs lower (means-tested) demobilization too simplistic. 19 social cross-mobilizing experiences, relative strength impacts rates cross-mobilized effects, positivity bias, negativity bias unlikely drive turnout. only investigates complexities program involvement expands scope include cumulative order Embedded potential conflict. last issue, Wolf applies construction design theories use, interpret, respond labels embedded relates escalation conflict, affects group Oosterweel highway proposal Belgium narratives 32 stakeholders 739 media communications spanning 9 years. identifies assigned action media, stages. study's contain symbolic language referencing characteristics certain identified increased 10% 17% concludes feedforward increasingly antagonistic posturing toward opposition groups, frustrated extended emerging conflict framework illustrating explained behavioral understood (rather event) disagreements substantive elements morph into relational conflicts. believe all agree inspire thoughtful rigorous develop theory. inspiration manifests, submit PSJ. Until then, wish safe healthy summer.