Gautier L. auteur aut IRD Tosun J. auteur aut IRD De Allegri M. auteur aut IRD Ridde Valéry auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access There has been growing interest in the diffusion of policy innovations across countries. Research on policy diffusion is characterised by coherent explanatory models that assess the importance of diffusion mechanisms. This study takes a different perspective on diffusion studies and advances public policy literature by introducing the concept of "diffusion entrepreneurs". These entrepreneurs represent (groups of) individuals, networks, and organisations promoting a certain policy innovation with a view to gain influence. First, drawing from the diffusion literature and linking it to studies investigating policy diffusion in polycentric contexts, we introduce analytical categories to study diffusion entrepreneurs' key features and actions. Second, to illustrate the analytical value of the concept, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the literature on the diffusion entrepreneurs of health performance-based financing (PBF) in Sub-Saharan Africa. We show how and why this recently diffused policy innovation provides a unique case for demonstrating our conceptual notion: in PBF, a nexus of strongly dedicated diffusion entrepreneurs have strived to induce policy diffusion. Specifically, we explore how the features of PBF diffusion entrepreneurs and their actions affect the outcomes of diffusion processes. Lastly, we reflect on the relevance of our conceptual propositions and offer practical insights to guide future investigations. specialized Policy diffusion Diffusion entrepreneurs Global health Performance-based financing Sub-Saharan Africa AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE 056 116 110 160-175 2018 0305-750X https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010073710 10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.05.032 0305-750X [F B010073710] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010073710 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2018/08/010073710.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2018-09-12 2023-07-11 fdi:010073710 fre