Account-holding intensity: Six reasons why we need to look at both frequency and diligence

Measurements of accountability tend to gauge account-holding powers or frequencies while neglecting the quality of the account-holding process. In this article we address this with a conceptual innovation, defining account-holding intensity as a combination of both the frequency and the diligence of account holding. We propose this as a framework that is sensitive to both the quantity and the quality of account holding. Subsequently, we provide six reasons why both frequency and diligence matter and should be analyzed and measured in tandem. We illustrate the usefulness of our framework with an example study where we apply it, both in a survey and in interviews, in the context of multiple European Union (EU) account holders overseeing the activities of EU agencies. This analysis showcases all of the six reasons outlined for using this framework.