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Business Regulation and Public Policy pp 1–13Cite as

Tailoring Regulation to the Regulated: The U.S. Regulatory Flexibility Act

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Part of the book series: International Studies in Entrepreneurship ((ISEN,volume 20))

Abstract

Many consider regulatory relief for small business and implementing regulatory objectives a zero-sum game. The U.S. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980 directly challenges the zero-sum game proposition by requiring regulatory agencies to search for non-zero-sum solutions for regulations having a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses. This presentation evaluates the Regulatory Flexibility Act, concluding that results have been increasingly positive over time. Yet, the lack of formal measurement, reduced through continuing bureaucratic resistance, and a perceived need for additional legislative modification cloud the generally favorable assessment.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The author was tangentially involved in development of RFA in the late 1970s and 1980 and has since taken an interest in its implementation from his position in a research foundation whose parent actively supports the Act.

  2. 2.

    The GAO, the investigative arm of the Congress, is one of the most prestigious and authoritative units in the federal government. Numerous GAO reports identify both the promise and problems of RFA. A list of those reports appears in (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2006).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NFIB Research Foundation, Washington, DC, USA

    William J. Dennis

Authors
  1. William J. Dennis
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Correspondence to William J. Dennis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Panteia B.V., Zoetermeer, 2701 AA, Netherlands

    André Nijsen

  2. Dept. of Economics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom

    John Hudson

  3. Inst. Betriebswirtschaftslehre, LS Entrepreneurship, Univ. Hohenheim, Schloß Osthof-Nord, Stuttgart, 70593, Germany

    Christoph Müller

  4. Fac. Social Sciences, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, Netherlands

    Kees Paridon

  5. CASBEC Room H8-24, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, Netherlands

    R. Thurik

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© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Dennis, W.J. (2009). Tailoring Regulation to the Regulated: The U.S. Regulatory Flexibility Act. In: Nijsen, A., Hudson, J., Müller, C., Paridon, K., Thurik, R. (eds) Business Regulation and Public Policy. International Studies in Entrepreneurship, vol 20. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77678-1_6

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