LIST OF PANELS

This panel aims to explore the evolving relationship between industry regulation and governance in the context of the re-emergence of industrial policy. As state-driven industrial policy gains renewed prominence globally – exemplified by initiatives such as the European Union’s state aid programs and the US CHIPS and Science Act – governments are increasingly shaping market outcomes through regulatory interventions. However, alongside this resurgence of regulatory interventions, there has also been a rise in self-regulation and hybrid co-regulatory frameworks, especially in sectors characterized by rapid technological change. This panel seeks to critically examine how self-regulation interacts with formal government interventions, and whether hybrid governance models can enhance regulatory effectiveness. The intent is to generate insights into how regulatory frameworks can be adapted to ensure both innovation and accountability in industries ranging from manufacturing to emerging technologies.

The panel will focus on these research questions:

1.        What are the roles of self-regulation and co-regulation with respect to state-driven industrial policies?

2.        How do targeted industrial policies, such as those seen in the EU and the US, influence the scope and effectiveness of industry self-regulation?

3.        What are the most effective mechanisms for ensuring compliance within self-regulatory frameworks, particularly in industries experiencing rapid technological change?

4.        What role do governments and regulatory agencies play in supporting or overseeing self-regulatory frameworks, and how does this vary across sectors and regions?

5.        What challenges and risks arise from self-regulation in industries that also receive significant government support or state aid?

This panel’s focus on the intersection of industrial policy, self-regulation, and co-regulation is of high scientific relevance for several reasons. While there is a copious literature on state-driven interventions and the regulatory state, comparatively less attention has been paid to how these policies interact with industry self-governance. This panel seeks to bridge that gap by offering a comprehensive analysis of self-regulation as a critical component of modern industrial governance. Moreover, the increasing complexity of industries, especially those driven by emerging technologies (e.g., AI, green energy, semiconductors, gene editing), calls for flexible regulatory approaches. Self-regulation has often been viewed as an efficient alternative to government-led frameworks, particularly in fast-moving sectors. However, the challenges of accountability, conflicts of interest, and regulatory capture remain key concerns. This panel will generate insights into the conditions under which self-regulation can serve as a viable tool for ensuring compliance, innovation, and ethical standards in highly dynamic industries. Finally, by examining the role of industrial policy in shaping regulatory outcomes, this panel contributes to a broader understanding of how states can use regulatory frameworks to support innovation and industrial growth.

We invite scholars to submit papers of theoretical, empirical, and comparative sort that examine the intersection of industrial policy, self-regulation, co-regulation, and regulatory governance across sectors and regions. Submissions should address one or more of the following research issues:

1.        Industrial Policy and Industry Self-Regulation: Papers could examine the relationship between industrial policy and self-regulation, especially in sectors receiving significant government support. How do industrial policies, such as state aid programs or investment incentives, influence the governance frameworks within industries? Can self-regulation mitigate concerns about regulatory capture in industries that benefit from industrial policy interventions?

2.        Self-Regulation, Co-regulation, and Government Regulation: Papers in this area could explore the comparative effectiveness of self-regulation, co-regulation, and government regulation. For instance, How can co-regulatory governance frameworks be formulated for policy effectiveness? what conditions make self-regulation more effective than government oversight? What are the long-term impacts on competition, innovation, and market stability when industries primarily rely on self-regulation?

3.        Challenges and Risks of Self-Regulation: This theme invites papers that critically analyze the limitations of self-regulation. What are the primary risks associated with self-regulation, particularly in industries that impact public safety or the environment? How can these risks be mitigated through hybrid models of co-regulation, where government oversight is paired with industry-led frameworks?

4.        Regulation of Emerging Technologies:  The regulation of new technologies – such as AI, green energy, semiconductors, gene editing – presents unique challenges for both government and industry actors. How do self-regulatory frameworks adapt to the fast-paced innovation cycles of emerging industries? What role does co-regulation play in balancing innovation with consumer protection in these sectors?

5.        Global and Comparative Perspectives on Regulatory Governance: Papers in this category could explore how different countries approach the balance between industrial policy and industry regulation. What lessons can be learned from successful (or failed) instances of integrating self-regulation with industrial policy? How do cultural and institutional differences shape regulatory governance practices across regions?

We encourage submissions from a variety of disciplines, including political science, economics, public policy, public administration, law, and business studies. Papers should contribute to a deeper understanding of how industrial policy and regulatory frameworks can be designed to support innovation, competition, and accountability in industries that are critical to modern economies.