Sectoral convergence and intersections and its impact on policy mix coherence
A related item refers to change processes that occur in policy mixes when activities in otherwise distinct subsystems transcend old boundaries and affect the structure or behaviour of other subsystems (Dery, 1999; Lynggaard, 2001; Djelic and Quack, 2007; Kay, 2006). Instances such as those that have occurred when Internet-based computing collided with existing telecommunications regimes and when long-established natural resource policy actors find it necessary to deal with Aboriginal and claims exemplify this phenomenon (Hoberg and Morawaski, 1997; Grant and MacNamara, 1995; Rosendal, 2000; Gehring and Oberthur, 2000; Marion, 1999; Rayner et al., 2001).
This particular process of policy mix change has received almost no treatment in the literature. But a large research agenda exists here. Thus, for example, subsystem interactions can occur in specific issues without any permanent change in subsystem membership (subsystem intersection) or they can be more long-term in nature (subsystem convergence). These general processes affect policy mixes largely through the introduction of new instruments into otherwise stable regimes (Deeg, 2007; May et al., 2007). What is the impact of such changes? Which tools remain and which are removed? How does this vary between intersection and convergence? These are all key questions requiring more research.