Abstract
The representation of specific groups and social interests within (or by) the civil service has long been a concern of public administration scholarship. Yet, much of this literature focuses on representation at a single point in time. In this article, we propose a more dynamic perspective. In terms of theory, we postulate specific temporal relationships between triggering cues (e.g., a crisis event) and the representation decisions of civil servants. We specify two complementary mechanisms underlying these relationships: i.e. a sensemaking process whereby the perceived meaning and relative salience of distinct groups and interests changes over time; and a shift in bureaucrats’ discretion to represent specific groups or interests changes over time. We illustrate these time-dependent processes using interview and survey data from the European Commission.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 65-82 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Governance |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 9 Jan 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2022 |
Keywords
- Crisis
- European Commission
- Representative bureaucracy
- Sensemaking
- Time
Profiles
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Sara Connolly
- Norwich Business School - Professor of Personnel Economics
- Institute for Volunteering Research - Member
- Centre for Research on Children and Families - Member
- Volunteering and the Market - Group Lead
- Employment Systems and Institutions - Member
Person: Group Lead, Research Group Member, Research Centre Member, Academic, Teaching & Research
-
Hussein Kassim
- School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies - Honorary Professorial Fellow
- Centre for Competition Policy - Member
- Policy & Politics - Member
- Political, Social and International Studies - Member
Person: Honorary, Research Group Member, Research Centre Member, Academic, Teaching & Research