Small elite network and less formal governance structure: Efficient knowledge sharingand rapid policy responses?

This paper analyzes whether the seven Nordic countries, by virtue of their limited
administrative size and less formalized governance arrangements, were particularly well-suited
to fostering rapid knowledge sharing and adaptive policy responses during the early stage of
the COVID-19 pandemic. The cases reveal a spectrum of governance arrangements, with
informality and social intimacy most pronounced and impactful in the smallest jurisdictions
(Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland), hybrid models dominating in mid-sized states
(Finland, Norway, and Denmark), and formal structures prevailing in larger systems (especially
Sweden). Our findings suggest that, while informal governance and elite proximity proved
invaluable in certain contexts, their effectiveness depended heavily on structural factors unique
to each state. Administrative size matters as a key variable that interacts with governance
design, expert integration, and political leadership to shape crisis response outcomes.
Smallness, when understood not merely as constraint but as a distinct administrative condition,
can be a potent asset in navigating complex crises; if, however, it is accompanied by the right
balance of informality, coordination, and institutional coherence.