A "new institutional" perspective on energy policy network formation: a case study of the Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network

Abstract

The research looked at the successful policy network formation process in new EU energy governance perspective and studied the CEESEN Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network case. Thesis used “New Institutionalism” analytical framework to approach the successful network formation process. Thesis addressed the question of how meanings and purposes of EU new energy governance constrain and contribute to the successful emergence of policy networks in the case of the Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network CEESEN. The study made tentative suggestion that the successful policy network formation happens by institutionalizing the structures of meanings via standardization, homogenization, and authorization of meanings in the case of CEESEN network. Qualitative Content Analysis was used to approach the date. Analysis consisted of 8 interviews with core and secondary network members, network materials and documentation, EU energy policy documents. Thesis brought a theoretical contribution to the institutionalization and network formation theory, provided a practical recommendation to the policy field and suggested further research avenues.