Evaluation of rural governance and knowledge flows
In 2006/07, Professor Nigel Curry undertook an assessment of the way in which rural decisions are made in the context of considerable stakeholder involvement at the regional and local levels. The focus of the work has been an assessment in the South West Region. A breakdown in strong Whitehall government has led to a ‘differentiated polity’ and more complex administrations.
Using transactions costs as a theoretical basis for the study, the costs associated with collecting knowledge and information by which to make decisions have been found to be amongst the largest costs in making rural decisions. The work was funded by the Government Office for the South West, Knowledge West, and the National Rural Knowledge Exchange.
