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.