Environmental consultants, knowledge brokering and policy-making: A case study

Sardo, Margarida; Weitkamp, Emma

Abstract

This small-scale exploratory study examined the role of environmental consultants in the policy-making process using one European country (Portugal) as a case study. The study focused particularly on the role of environmental consultants as knowledge brokers, providing scientific expertise to national and local government policy-makers. The research question and other topics were explored through in depth interviews and an online questionnaire. The data indicate that in Portugal environmental consultants act as knowledge brokers, providing policy-makers with access to scientific information and encouraging its use; this information feeds into the policy process at the formulation, implementation, assessment and review stages. They also play other roles such as acting as financial, legal and technical advisors.

Citation

Sardo, M., & Weitkamp, E. (2017). Environmental consultants, knowledge brokering and policy-making: A case study. International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, 2(3), 221-235. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEPDM.2017.10006332

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jul 19, 2017
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 7, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 19, 2018
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making
• Print ISSN: 1752-6906
• Publisher: Inderscience
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 221-235
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEPDM.2017.10006332
• Keywords: environmental consultants, policy-making, mediation, consultation, knowledge brokers
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/883800
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJEPDM.2017.10006332
• Related Public URLs: http://www.inderscience.com/info/ingeneral/forthcoming.php?jcode=ijepdm