Exploring the Risk of Goal Displacement in Regulatory Enforcement Agencies: A Goal-Ambiguity Approach

It is generally believed that public agencies are especially prone to goal displacement, but research has remained relatively limited. In this conceptual paper, we explore why and how displacement might affect regulatory enforcement agencies. Central our approach an analysis of the ambiguity goals, arguing related evaluation achievement makes vulnerable for displacement. The underlying reason type increases risk neglecting complexities goals. We specify three types complexity neglect describe their potential goal-displacement effects. provide examples goal-displacement-reinforcing factors clarify notions. conclude in absence a sound tradition ex-post effect evaluations, be much more prevalent than often assumed.