Information Resilience in Networks: An Analysis of a National Security Legislation Evidence Base

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.2023.14068

Keywords:

information resilience, epistemic governance, knowledge regime, legislation, social network analysis

Abstract

Governance theory emphasises that networks are pivotal to societal governance and related steering mechanisms. One important means of steering is legislation, the evidence base of which is built on the interaction between social actors and the expert hearings related to the legislative process. This research uses network analysis to examine the construction of a legislative knowledge base and the information resilience displayed in the related networks. The data are derived from experts (n=440) appearing in committee hearings on five proposed acts of parliament. The results show that the expert consultations behind the legislation are official-oriented and illuminate the limited information produced by the private sector and a narrow view of scientific expertise. The network reveals epistemic authorities – mainly representing the security cluster – acting as gatekeepers. A more systemic approach is needed to build an evidence base encompassing the views on societal phenomena derived from different disciplines.

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Author Biographies

Aino Rantamäki, School of Management, Social and Health Management, University of Vaasa, Finland

Aino Rantamäki, MHA, works as a doctoral researcher in the University of Vaasa. She is a midwife and has worked over 15 years as a nurse and a nursing supervisor in a ward with children with severe disabilities. Her research interests include information resilience, epistemic governance, evidence-based policy and the development, management and leadership of social and healthcare. She is currently involved in four different research projects focusing on preparedness, pandemic governance, social media and interprofessional collaboration. She has published articles in both national academic journals and professional publications.

Petri Uusikylä, School of Management, Social and Health Management, University of Vaasa, Finland

Petri Uusikylä, PhD, is a Research Director at the University of Vaasa and a Docent at the University of Eastern Finland. He has considerable expertise in information resilience, governance, innovation policy, policy evaluation, regulatory impact assessment, public budgeting, systems analysis, complexity, and European policymaking. He has published more than 150 scientific reports or publications prepared in the area of applied research. 

Harri Jalonen, School of Management, Social and Health Management, University of Vaasa, Finland

Harri Jalonen, PhD, is professor at the University of Vaasa. He has over 20 years of experience in systems and complexity sciences, knowledge management, public decision-making, and service-dominant value creation. His current interests include ignorance in organizations and information resilience. He has been responsible for or involved in 20 national/international research projects (incl. Horizon2020, Academy of Finland). Jalonen has published around 100 scientific articles (incl. in Public Management Review, Public Administration Review, and International Journal of Public Service Management) and books or book sections (published by Routledge and Springer, among others). In addition to communication in academic communities, Jalonen has contributed to popular science communications by publishing around 100 articles in newspapers and trade magazines. He has worked as a reviewer for several scientific journals and academic conferences and served as an expert evaluator in research funding institutions.

Published

2024-06-14

How to Cite

Rantamäki, A., Uusikylä, P., & Jalonen, H. (2024). Information Resilience in Networks: An Analysis of a National Security Legislation Evidence Base. Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration, 28(2), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.2023.14068

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Section

Original Articles

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