^aCentre for European Studies, Agder University College, Servicebox 422, N-4604 Kristiansand, Norway. E-mail: jarle.trondal@hia.no

Abstract

Studies of executive institutions have largely dealt separately with national and international executive institutions (IEIs). This study unpacks and repacks four contending decision-making dynamics that unfold within IEIs: intergovernmental, supranational, departmental and epistemic dynamics. The empirical laboratory utilized is an under-researched segment of the European Commission: seconded national experts. The survey and interview data presented demonstrate that the decision-making behaviour of seconded national experts in the Commission includes a mix of departmental (portfolio), epistemic (expert) and supranational behaviour. An organization theory approach is presented claiming that these three behavioural dynamics may be accounted for by considering (i) the organizational composition of the Commission and domestic government systems, (ii) degrees of organizational compatibility across levels of governance, (iii) recruitment procedures of seconded national officials, and (iv) socialization dynamics within the Commission. Arguably, the decision-making behaviour evoked by seconded national officials is considerably affected by organizational characteristics of the Commission itself and less by the member-state administrations from which the secondees originate.