Understanding bias better: a qualitative exploration of bias in advisory councils of EU agencies

Figures & data

Figure 1. Conceptual model.

Note: Interaction as main mode of interaction (necessary) and equality of members’ capabilities (necessary) in combination are sufficient for balanced functioning of the ACs.

Table 1. Operationalization of interaction and capabilities.

Interaction	Main mode: arguing	Main mode: bargaining
Venue perception	Forum with a common goal	Markets without a common goal
Role perception	Representing own organization, but willing to adjust preferences	Representing own organization, but with fixed preferences
Discussions	Consensual and focused on reaching a common position	Conflictual and focused on the advocating own interests
Capability	Stakeholders are equally capable	Asymmetry between stakeholders’ capabilities
Informational	All members have sufficient expertise to participate in the meetings	Only a few members have sufficient expertise to participate
Organizational	All members are equally able to prepare the meetings and contribute to the agenda, meetings and decision-making of ACs	Only some members can prepare and contribute more easily to the ACs

Table

ID	Date	Duration	Location	Affiliation
INT100220	10-02-2020	00:56:16	Skype	Academic
INT120320	12-03-2020	00:58:55	Skype	Consumers
INT260320	26-03-2020	00:58:14	Skype	Consumers
INT030320	03-03-2020	01:10:23	Skype	Industry
INT240220	24-02-2020	00:54:08	Skype	Consumers
INT200220	20-02-2020	01:03:13	Skype	Consumers
INT1702201	17-02-2020	00:50:17	Skype	Academic
INT1402202	14-02-2020	00:52:03	Skype	Consumers
INT1702202	17-02-2020	01:17:40	Brussels	Consumers
INT1402201	14-02-2020	00:59:33	Skype	Academic
INT050320	05-03-2020	01:07:04	Skype	Academic
INT130320	13-03-2020	00:56:20	Skype	Industry
INT280220	28-02-2020	00:55:33	Skype	Academic

Notes: For the sake of the respondents’ anonymity, choice has been made to not include identifiable information, such as membership to one of the advisory councils, stakeholders’ organization or position, in this overview.