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Dissertation Information for Randy Karl Rethemeyer

NAME:
- Randy Karl Rethemeyer

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Public Administration

SCHOOL:
- Harvard University (USA) (2002)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: Centralization or democratization: Assessing the Internet's impact on policy networks. A theoretical and empirical inquiry

Abstract: "While many policy and political scientists have studied the Internet's role in electoral processes, there is little work that examines the Internet's effect on policy processes. This study attempts to fill the gap by developing our theoretical and empirical understanding of the Internet's impact on policy networks in U.S. states. Several theoretical perspectives on policy networks specifically and interorganizational networks generally were reviewed. A theoretical framework was then developed, using resource dependence theory as the basis of the framework but including insights and concepts drawn from the institutional and ""new"" institutional perspectives. Using this ""socialized"" resource dependence framework, deployment of the Internet was conceptualized as an exogenous shock to policy networks, where the shock alters the material resource base of policy networks and allows actors inside and outside the networks to challenge structural power holders. Structural power holders attempt to ""mold"" use of the Internet to protect their position and its perquisites. To test this framework, a methodology grounded in network analytic techniques and measures was developed and seven hypotheses and three corollaries were generated. The hypotheses were tested against data collected from an adult basic education policy network and a mental health policy network in an eastern state pseudonymed ""Eastia.""

The study found that both policy networks appear to have centralized since the deployment of the Internet. Using ""K"" core analysis, the study found that the electronic central discussion networks (or ""cores"") were primarily populated by actors who were already entrenched in positions of structural power within the network and possessed very high influence ratings. While total frequency of communication had increased in both networks, the total number of ties within the network had not. Most of the additional communication occurs between members of the electronic core. Centralization seemed to be linked to the Internet's ability to leverage pre-existing social capital in the network, coupled with the spatial concentration of actors in or near the state capital, patterns of representation, and exercise of structural power to shape use of the Internet. The study concluded with a series of recommendations for public and private managers."

MPACT Scores for Randy Karl Rethemeyer

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:13:30

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