Dissertation Information for Randy Karl RethemeyerNAME:
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SCHOOL: ADVISORS: COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 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."" |
MPACT Scores for Randy Karl RethemeyerA = 0 Advisors and Advisees Graph |