Empirical research on implementation and compliance of environmental regulation

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870146
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: New fields of law; Fundamental law
• Research Institution: Meiji University (2015); The University of Tokyo (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Hirata Ayako 明治大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 研究員 (80547810)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 規制法執行過程 / 第一線行政職員 / 法の経験的研究 / 規制遵守 / 自治体間ネットワーク

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project developed a theoretical understanding of how inter-organizational processes relate to street-level regulatory enforcement. The empirical research consisted of in-depth interviews and a national survey mailed to every frontline office to detect how overall patterns of inter-office interactions affect enforcement. This research found that street level officers use inter-office interaction as an interpretive strategy, and explored how different meanings of the statute evolve in different organizational networks and what drives regulatory offices to engage in such interactions. This research concluded by suggesting theoretical implications for understanding regulatory enforcement, and more broadly how meaning of law is constructed at the local level.

Free Research Field

法社会学