Bureaucratic systems are often perceived as slow and rigid, but what happens when they are placed under intense political and public scrutiny? This question is at the heart of recent research presented by Eva Kovacs from the Public Policy Department at Corvinus University of Budapest. At the 2026 Conference on Policy Process Research (COPPR26), held at the University of Bern, Kovacs shared her working paper examining how administrative organizations manage pressure in the complex field of Swiss immigration and integration policy.
Her work, conducted as a visiting scholar at the University of St. Gallen, moves beyond theoretical models to provide a grounded analysis of real-world bureaucratic behavior. By studying federal, cantonal, and municipal administrations alongside semi-public and private service providers, the research offers critical insights into how public policy is implemented under stress. For students and professionals interested in public administration, immigration governance, or policy analysis, this research provides a valuable framework for understanding the interplay between organizational design and political pressure.
Understanding the Core Research: Bureaucracy Under Pressure
Kovacs’ research focuses on a critical case study: Swiss immigration governance. This policy area is inherently politicized, subject to frequent public debate, media scrutiny, and shifting political priorities. The central question is not simply whether policies are implemented, but how bureaucratic organizations cope with the resulting pressure. The study analyzes how administrative actors manage responsibility, blame, and public expectations in this high-stakes environment.
The methodology is robust, relying on in-depth interviews with officials across different levels of government and organizational types. This comparative approach allows for a nuanced understanding of how different administrative structures respond to similar pressures. The findings suggest that bureaucratic responses are not merely ad-hoc reactions to crises but are systematically shaped by the underlying organizational design.
Four Organizational Models in Swiss Immigration Governance
The research identifies and analyzes four distinct organizational models, each with its own strategy for managing pressure:
- Federal Administration (SEM): The State Secretariat for Migration operates as a centralized, legalistic entity. Its primary defense against political and public pressure is a strict adherence to rules and established procedures. This legalistic shield helps depersonalize decisions and distribute accountability across the institution.
- Decentralised Cantonal–Municipal Governance (St. Gallen): In this model, responsibility is diffused across multiple levels of government. This diffusion can make it difficult to assign blame to a single entity, effectively distributing political risk throughout the system.
- Semi-Public Organisation (AOZ, Zurich): Organizations like the AOZ, which provide integration services, internalize pressure through professionalization. By developing specialized expertise and professional standards, they create a buffer against external political interference.
- Outsourcing Model (Fribourg): This model involves delegating specific tasks to external, often private, providers. A key finding is that this is not just an efficiency measure; it is an active strategy to externalize political risk. By outsourcing, the public administration transfers both the operational task and the associated political scrutiny to another entity.
These models demonstrate that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing bureaucratic pressure. The chosen strategy is deeply embedded in the organization’s structure and legal mandate.
Key Findings: Organizational Design as a Risk Management Tool
A central insight from Kovacs’ research is that bureaucratic design is a form of political risk management. Organizations are not just structured to deliver services; they are also structured to survive in a politically charged environment. The Swiss case shows how different administrative systems are calibrated to handle blame and scrutiny.
For instance, the federal model uses procedural rigidity as a defense, while the decentralised model uses fragmentation. The semi-public model relies on professional authority, and the outsourcing model uses delegation. Each approach has trade-offs in terms of accountability, efficiency, and public trust. Understanding these trade-offs is essential for anyone studying or working in public policy.
Implications for Public Policy and Administration
This research has significant implications for both theory and practice in public administration. It challenges the notion of a monolithic “bureaucracy” and highlights the diversity of administrative responses to common challenges. For policymakers, it underscores the importance of considering how organizational structures will interact with political pressures when designing new policies or reforming existing ones.
For students of public policy, this work provides a concrete example of how theoretical concepts like multilevel governance and blame avoidance are operationalized in practice. It bridges the gap between academic theory and the day-to-day realities of administrative work.
Connecting Research to Academic Study at Corvinus
The presentation of this research at COPPR26 highlights the active engagement of Corvinus University of Budapest’s faculty in the international academic community. Research like this enriches the curriculum and provides students with access to cutting-edge insights in public policy and administration.
Prospective students interested in these fields can benefit from an academic environment where faculty are not only teachers but also active researchers contributing to global policy debates. This connection ensures that the knowledge imparted in the classroom is current, relevant, and grounded in empirical study.
For those considering advanced studies in public policy, exploring the work of faculty like Eva Kovacs can provide a clear picture of the research opportunities and academic rigor offered at institutions like Corvinus. Explore Master’s programmes in Public Policy to see how such research informs the curriculum.
Broader Lessons for Immigration Governance
The Swiss case study offers valuable lessons for immigration governance in other countries. It demonstrates that the challenges of managing public pressure are not unique to any single political system. The strategies identified—legalistic, decentralised, professionalized, and outsourced—are all potential responses that different administrations might adopt.
Understanding these models can help policymakers and administrators in other contexts design more resilient and effective governance structures. It also highlights the need for transparency and accountability, especially when risk is externalized through outsourcing or diffused across multiple levels of government.
Further Reading and Academic Engagement
Engaging with contemporary research is a cornerstone of advanced academic study. For students and professionals looking to deepen their understanding of public administration and policy processes, following conferences like COPPR and the work of researchers like Eva Kovacs is highly recommended.
If you are considering a career in public policy or administration, a strong academic foundation is essential. Discover Bachelor’s programmes that build the analytical skills needed to understand and address complex governance challenges.
Conclusion: The Strategic Nature of Bureaucracy
Eva Kovacs’ research reframes bureaucracy not as a passive, rule-bound machine, but as a strategic actor navigating a complex political landscape. The study of “bureaucracy under pressure” reveals that organizational design is a critical tool for managing political risk and public accountability. The Swiss immigration governance system, with its mix of models, provides a rich laboratory for understanding these dynamics.
For anyone interested in the intersection of politics, administration, and public service, this research offers a compelling case study. It underscores the importance of thoughtful institutional design and the ongoing need for research that bridges the gap between academic theory and practical governance.
To learn more about the research conducted at Corvinus University of Budapest and the academic programmes that support such inquiry, contact the university for further information.
