Institutions, policy learning and isomorphism: The case of biocidal regulation in South Korea

Sungeun Cho & Olga Siemers

International Review of Administrative Sciences2026https://doi.org/10.1177/00208523261420100article
AJG 3ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Despite the expansion of research on policy transfer, research on how international policy learning occurs in different environments remains limited. To address this gap, we explore the policy process of the Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides Safety Control Act in South Korea containing regulatory instruments of similar design to the EU's Biocidal Products Regulation. This study analyses the role of institutions and the impact of policy learning on policy design. It adopts policy isomorphism as a conceptual lens and complements the existing isomorphism literature by focusing on the design of a regulatory act. The methodology employs a historical case study and a thematic analysis, determining that institutions contribute to the occurrence of coercive isomorphism, while policy learning can be considered as a factor contributing to the occurrence of normative and mimetic isomorphism. These findings suggest that an effective emulation can occur in different contexts.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00208523261420100

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{sungeun2026,
  title        = {{Institutions, policy learning and isomorphism: The case of biocidal regulation in South Korea}},
  author       = {Sungeun Cho & Olga Siemers},
  journal      = {International Review of Administrative Sciences},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00208523261420100},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Institutions, policy learning and isomorphism: The case of biocidal regulation in South Korea

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.


Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.