Page - (000321) - in Knowledge and Networks

319 learning among municipalities in Sweden according to the survey responses. Of the 290 municipalities surveyed, only 8 % reported they had not learned something important from another municipality during the previous 4 years (since the last elec- tion period), whereas 61 % reported learning from between two and nine other municipalities, and the maximum number reported was 26 other municipalities. On average, the municipal managers report that their municipality draws important les- sons from about seven other municipalities. The survey also included a question on how often information from other munic- ipalities is used when issues are prepared before political decision. Table 15.1 reveals that although information from other municipalities is not used in a majority of issues, only 12 % reported that they “never or almost never” use such input in the policy process. Furthermore, we asked how often information produced by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) is employed in the policy process. Around two percent claim that they “never or almost never” use information from SALAR, whereas 59 % use information from SALAR in at least Table 15.1 Learning among Swedish local governments: Various survey responses Q1. How many other municipalities have been learned from? (“Outdegree”) Q2. How often is information from (a) other municipalities (b) SALAR used when issues are prepared before political decision? Number of municipalities mentioned % Response alternative Other municipalities (%) SALAR (%) 0 8 Never or almost never 12 2 1 5 Less than half of the issues 54 39 2–5 39 About half of the issues 21 30 6–9 22 More than half of the issues 12 20 10–15 19 Always or almost always 1 9 16–26 7 Average: 6.86 Q3. Channels used “often” or “very often” in order to get information about activities in other municipalities? Channel % Channel % 1. Informal personal connections 81 5. Conferences, seminars etc. 28 2. Internet homepages 72 6. Written reports produced by other municipalities 21 3. Regular meetings with certain municipalities 67 7. Information in media 20 4. Written reports produced by SALAR 65 8. Official visits 19 15 Learning Networks Among Swedish Municipalities: Is Sweden a Small World?