In the analytical framework developed in the previous chapter the institutional scope of European adaptation pressure was identified as the primary factor to account for patterns of administrative transformation at the domestic level. The level of adaptation pressure can be inferred from the institutional compatibility of European requirements with the macro-institutional context of national administrative traditions. Although not determining the occurrence and form of sectoral adjustments, national administrative traditions confine the scope for sectoral choices. This way we are able to exclude certain options for domestic adjustment. The explanation of sectoral patterns of administrative change and persistence therefore requires a background knowledge of national administrative traditions. To capture the institutional dimension of adaptation pressure, we need to know if and to what extent European pressures for sectoral adaptation reflect challenges to administrative core patterns or not.

As pointed out in the analytical framework, the level of adaptation pressure varies not only with European policy requirements, but may also be affected by national administrative reforms which alter the macro-institutional context, and hence the range for sectoral choices. To grasp this dynamic conception of adaptation pressure, we need to have a closer look at the capacity for administrative reform, as it can be derived from the constraints and opportunities defined in the macro-institutional background.