Institutionalisation of Behavioural Insights in Public Policy

Abstract

Over the last decade, the development of cognitive and behavioural sciences has determined the diffusion of the concept and methodology of behavioural insights into social sciences, including the governance sphere. Behavioural teams worldwide participate in developing and implementing the strategies at various levels of governance organisation. The aim of this study is to investigate the institutionalisation process of behavioural insights into public policy. The study has identified the agentive determinants of the institutionalisation efficiency that include: the competence level of public servants, their motivation level, resistance to change and the nature of feedback. It is argued that the approval level of using behavioural insights by civil servants is a prerequisite for their intrinsic motivation, which has a positive effect on the efficiency of institutionalisation of behavioural insights in public policy. The survey has revealed the most approved directions for using behavioural techniques in public policy in Ukraine.