Transforming the Australian agricultural biosecurity framework: The role of institutional logics

Abstract The Australian government has transformed the national biosecurity framework by shifting from a quarantine to shared responsibility approach. This reflects move centralised network‐based governance. While network governance enables development of private and public networks needed enact approach, it can sit in tension with this which requires sharing risk legitimacy across an array non‐government actors. Further, little is known about how beliefs values individuals involved decision‐making influence whether or approach enacted. We use institutional logics investigate these issues found that despite risk‐shifting scale efficiency underpinning bureaucracy logic remained dominant. dominant enable providing clear guidelines around compliance, also create barriers creating ambiguity, increasing reliance actors on event outbreak. It reflect shadows hierarchy governments moving are either not ready share power seek retain authority over direction their policy intention. Points for practitioners Enacting subject challenges. However, Problems arise implementation particularly related different conflicting ways decision makers interpret understand Despite efforts partners work together, dominated logic. provide compliance but further dependence