Publication: Policy convergence and policy diffusion by governmental and non-governmental institutions: an international comparison of eco-labeling systems
Policy convergence and policy diffusion by governmental and non-governmental institutions: an international comparison of eco-labeling systems
| dc.contributor.author | Kern, K. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kissling-Näf, I. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Landmann, U. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mauch, C. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Loeffelsend, T. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-01-23T18:57:37Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-01-23T18:57:37Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://open.fsc.org/handle/resource/959 | |
| dc.title | Policy convergence and policy diffusion by governmental and non-governmental institutions: an international comparison of eco-labeling systems | en |
| dcterms.abstract | The study deals with eco-labeling systems that have spread faster than other types of new policy instruments. The paper focuses on the diffusion of two different types of eco-labels: (1) general eco-labeling systems such as the German "Blue Angel" (Blauer Engel), and (2) the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification program. We start with three different explanations for policy convergence: international regimes, regional integration, and global policy diffusion. Policy diffusion is gaining in importance due to the diffusion processes triggered by the emergence of international, intergovernmental, and transnational transfer institutions. It is assumed that govern- mental or quasi-governmental transfer institutions (general eco-labels) and non- governmental transfer institutions (FSC label) have similar functions and effects. Our main thesis is that labels can diffuse globally, be decided on, and even implemented at the national level without significant state influence. Furthermore, three success factors for the national performance of eco-labeling schemes are analyzed: (1) the characteristics of policy innovations (costs of labeling etc.); (2) the economic, societal, and political-institutional capacities for action; (3) the co-existence and competition between different eco-labeling systems which can result in converging standards. On this basis some conclusions regarding the overall performance of transnational network organizations, such as the FSC, are drawn. | en |
| dcterms.accessRights | Public | |
| dcterms.accessRights | Open access | |
| dcterms.bibliographicCitation | Kern, K., Kissling-Näf, I., Landmann, U., Mauch, C. and Löffelsend, T., 2001. Policy convergence and policy diffusion by governmental and non-governmental institutions: An international comparison of eco-labeling systems (No. FS II 01-305). WZB Discussion Paper | en |
| dcterms.issued | 2001 | |
| dcterms.language | en | |
| dcterms.license | Other | en |
| dcterms.publisher | Social Science Research Center Berlin (WBZ) | |
| dcterms.type | Working Paper | |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication | |
| fsc.evidenceCategory | FSC impact-related | |
| fsc.focus.forestType | Mixed Forest | |
| fsc.focus.sustainDimension | Political, legal, systemic | |
| fsc.subject | Forests | |
| fsc.subject | Certification | |
| fsc.topic.political | Governance | |
| fsc.topic.political | Non-State Market Regulation | |
| is.availability.fullText | Full text available | |
| is.contributor.funderType | Unreported | |
| is.contributor.member | Forest Stewardship Council | |
| is.evaluation.collection | Company/certified entities /co-op data records | |
| is.evaluation.counterfacts | No | |
| is.evaluation.dataSource | Data by scheme / tool under evaluation | |
| is.evaluation.dataSource | Private Company Data | |
| is.evaluation.quotes | It can be concluded that governmental and non-governmental transfer institutions are functional equivalents. The FSC case proves that governmental involvement is not necessary for the diffusion of policy innovations and that even the implementation of eco-labeling systems can be delegated to civil society actors. | |
| is.evaluation.quotes | The experience with the FSC label demonstrates that the same degree of legitimacy and performance can be achieved, if certification is mainly supported by non-governmental institutions. | |
| is.evaluation.quotes | Successful linking of transnational and national policy-making requires an extremely flexible structure. Such organizations must be able to learn and adapt to changing environments very fast. | |
| is.evidenceSubType | Monitoring report - performance | |
| is.evidenceType | Monitoring report | |
| is.focus.products | Forestry products | |
| is.focus.sdg | SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | |
| is.focus.sectors | Forestry | |
| is.focus.sustainDimension | Economic | |
| is.focus.sustainDimension | Social | |
| is.focus.sustainIssue | Consumers and supply chains | |
| is.focus.sustainLens | Multiple certificationTransnational Governance | |
| is.focus.sustainOutcome | Ethical labelling | |
| is.focus.systemElement | MandE outcomes and impacts | |
| is.focus.systemElement | MandE performance monitoring | |
| is.identifier.code | Impacts | |
| is.identifier.doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.34800/fsc-international564 | |
| is.identifier.schemeName | Forest Stewardship Council | |
| is.identifier.schemeType | Voluntary Sustainability Standards | |
| is.link.url | https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/11524/ssoar-2001-kern_et_al-policy_convergence_and_policy_diffusion.pdf |