Political and administrative control of expert groups—A mixed‐methods study

Governments face a fundamental dilemma when asking expert groups for advice. Experts possess knowledge that can help governments design effective and legitimate policies. However, they also propose different policies than those preferred by government. How do solve this conundrum? Through mixed-methods study, the article examines politico-administrative control with advisory commissions in Norway. Arguing both politicians bureaucrats take interest limiting gap between political/administrative policy preferences group output, what means seek to how varies across portfolios. It finds while rely on design, use interventions. Moreover, political bureaucratic controls are stronger area of financial/economic elsewhere. The makes novel contribution scholarship at intersection public administration policymaking.