Fueling green connections: Networked policy instrument choices for sustainability regulation

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a policy network analysis study that examines policy subsystem interconnectedness and cohesion, to explore three constituent regulatory policy instruments that have a combined impact on governing sustainability. The network surrounding the environmental sustainability of biodiesel policy in Indonesia is marked by high interconnectedness and relatively weaker cohesion, properties that impact how policy solutions are formulated through policy actor interactions and define prevailing policy formulation styles. Using primary policy network data on 46 organizations and the review of national regulations, laws, and directives, this paper tests established hypotheses on how instruments that are formulated within the same policy subsystem, share similar characteristics. While overall network interconnectedness and cohesion are important first indicators of policy instrument selection in the literature on policy design, this article recommends also including an examination of network centrality and the characteristics of dominant central actors who are in favorable positions to design policies, to better accommodate for different policy formulation styles.