Parinandi's work deals with identifying the structural determinants of policy diffusion or contagion across the United States. He explores how institutional structures (like systems of legislative organization and regulation) can conditionally amplify as well as slow down processes of cross-governmental policy diffusion. The study of diffusion depends on the use of statistical techniques involving the proper measurement of influences across space and time; Parinandi consequently utilizes spatial econometric analysis and geographic information systems in his own research. Topically, Parinandi also researches the motivations surrounding the adoption of renewable energy portfolio standards (RPSs) in the United States and focuses on two aspects of the development of renewable energy policy: first, he evaluates how the incentives of regulatory commissions influence energy policy choices; and second, he examines how price sensitivity affects public support for renewable energy regulations. Parinandi's more recent work emphasizes the development of electric vehicle and AI policy, in US contexts and elsewhere (particularly, India). Parinandi also increasingly is researching the historical determinants of state-level regulation, the policy implications of regulatory choices (particularly with respect to opioid and criminal justice policy), and policy diffusion in comparative perspective.
keywords
Policy diffusion, state economic competition, regulation, spatial econometrics, geographic information systems, energy policy including renewables and conventional sources, electric vehicle policy, public policy, legislative studies, energy and public health, AI policy
