Reputational Management in Advisory Agencies: The Case of the STOA Unit

Abstract

While research has examined how reputation shapes regulatory agencies' behavior, comparatively less attention has been paid to advisory bodies. Yet, these entities engage in forms of indirect regulation that illuminate key modalities of the EU regulatory state. In particular, advisory bodies engaging in technology assessment and anticipatory governance can play a significant part in shaping nascent policymakers' preferences by highlighting the potential impacts of emerging technologies and innovation. Consequently, effective reputation management is critical to these agencies' influence. We begin to explore those considerations by examining the Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) Unit at the European Parliament. Our findings suggest that the STOA Unit prioritizes reputation types that showcase its competence. Heightened reputational threats are met with a stronger focus on performative reputation and lower emphasis on regulatory stringency for the policy options considered. This last point highlights how agencies' assessments of external threats and domain can influence their approach to reputation management.