Policy Capacity Research Articles

Enhancing capacities for sustainability transition policy design: Lessons from French pesticide reduction plans

CONTEXTReducing pesticide use has become an important policy objective in several countries, yet many have failed to reach their goals. Policies need to be more systemic to address lock-ins hindering pesticide reduction. To do so, policymakers must improve policymaking processes, while ensuring active stakeholder participation. This requires specific policy capacities, which have not yet been characterized. OBJECTIVEThis article aims to identify policy capacities needed to improve the collective elaboration of pesticide reduction policies and integrate a systemic approach. METHODSWe studied the collective elaboration of the French pesticide reduction plans. We built a narration of the policy process organized by policymakers, based on semi-structured interviews and an analysis of grey literature. We then reflected on which policy capacities policymakers needed to better manage the policy design process, using the “management situation” concept. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur results show that to better design pesticide reduction policies, policymakers lacked four types of interdependent “policy capacities”: capacities to support collective sensemaking about lock-ins, to co-design interdependent and multi-level instruments, to co-design suitable implementation structures and to ensure learning. These results highlight an issue of dynamic capabilities in public organizations. SIGNIFICANCEOur results provide concrete proposals to improve design processes for pesticide reduction policies aiming at systemic transformations: there is a need to develop new methods, tools, analytical resources and training programs for policymakers, to support the development of the policy capacities identified. These results also suggest avenues for future action-research between public management, systemic agronomy, sustainability and design sciences.

CLASSIFICATION OF GREEN BUILDING TECHNIQUES APPLICABLE TO THE FEDERAL CAPITAL CITY, ABUJA NIGERIA

This study applied a Descriptive-Survey Research Design with a mixed-method approach to assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of green building techniques in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were gathered from primary and secondary sources, including structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, field observations, and literature reviews. A multi-stage sampling method identified key stakeholders such as developers, architects, government officials, and property owners, using the Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table for statistical accuracy. Quantitative data centered on financial metrics, cost analysis, and stakeholders' perceptions, while qualitative data provided insights through interviews and direct observations. Data analysis incorporated statistical methods, AMOS (Structural Equation Modeling), comparative analysis, and content analysis to evaluate sustainability indicators, economic viability, and policy frameworks. The study classified green building techniques in Abuja, focusing on five categories: Energy-Saving and Energy Utilization (ESEU), Water-Saving and Water Utilization (WSWU), Material-Saving and Material Utilization (MSMU), Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and Site Planning and Land Surveying (SPLS). The findings highlighted the varying performance of 19 techniques in the ESEU category, with Off-Grid Systems (OSG) achieving an average performance of 37.8% and Traditional Grid Systems (TTSG) achieving higher performance levels in most techniques. In the WSWU category, several techniques like WSWU-2, WSWU-3, and WSWU-4 exhibited high performance, with a 100% adoption in TTSG. In the MSMU category, techniques like MSMU-9 and MSMU-10 achieved near-perfect performance in both OSG and TTSG, while others, such as MSMU-13, showed limited adoption. The IEQ category displayed a continuous variation in performance, with significant improvements in TTSG for techniques like IEQ-7 and IEQ-14, which recorded increases of 23.0% and 19.3%, respectively. Finally, in the SPLS category, the performance of techniques such as SPLS-17 and SPLS-26 was exemplary, with full implementation observed. The statistical analysis, including comparisons between OSG and TTSG systems, demonstrated that green building practices could significantly enhance energy efficiency, water conservation, and material utilization. However, challenges such as the limited adoption of renewable materials, inconsistent implementation of water-saving technologies, and inadequate policy frameworks were identified. The findings underline the need for policy improvements, capacity building, and greater public awareness to accelerate the widespread adoption of green building techniques in Abuja. The study’s statistical findings were supported by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.943, indicating high reliability in the research instruments.

Enhancing Policy Capacity in South Korea: integrating analytical, managerial, and political dimensions for effective governance

Enhancing Policy Capacity in South Korea: integrating analytical, managerial, and political dimensions for effective governance

Fiscal Policy Instruments for Inclusive Labor Markets: A Review

ABSTRACTThis paper critically reviews fiscal policy instruments—including active labor market policies, social protection measures, care policies, and tax reforms—focusing on their differentiated impacts on underrepresented groups and their potential to foster labor market inclusivity. Our review reveals that empirical studies often overemphasize the capacity of individual policies to mitigate inequalities, neglecting the complex interdependencies among various mechanisms and policies. Instead, we argue for a systematic approach to ensure equitable access to good jobs and address disparities across labor market groups. Although sector‐specific training and reskilling are essential, their effects often take time to materialize, highlighting the necessity of complementary labor demand measures, such as public works schemes, and employment subsidies, to address immediate challenges and promote inclusive growth. Care policies remain central to improving female labor market participation by alleviating their unpaid care burdens. The review also identifies critical research gaps, including the need for longitudinal studies on long‐term policy impacts, an exploration of regional disparities in labor market inequalities, and sector‐specific effects of fiscal measures.

Medical insurance-related professionals’ identification of the benefits of the medical insurance system in Northeast China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe identification of the benefits of the medical insurance system (IBMIS) serves as an important indicator of the effectiveness of medical insurance policy implementation and provides valuable feedback during the ongoing reform phase of the medical insurance system (MIS). This research aims to analyze the IBMIS from the perspective of medical insurance-related professionals and to identify potential associate factors with IBMIS.MethodsIn 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (n = 1829) in Heilongjiang Province, located in Northeast China, to collect data. Interviewees were selected using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. A binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors influencing the IBMIS.ResultsOverall, 66% (1,207) of professionals associated with medical insurance exhibited a high IBMIS. The logistic regression model indicated that a high IBMIS was positively correlated with the following dimensions: policy capacity (OR = 1.562, 95% CI: 1.375–1.775), financial burden (OR = 1.512, 95% CI: 1.347–1.699), and convenience (OR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.171–1.442). Four significant factors (P < 0.05) contributing to a high IBMIS include: “Relief of financial burden for people with serious diseases” (OR = 2.288, 95% CI: 1.740–3.007), “Medical insurance’s ability to address major problems that people expect” (OR = 1.565, 95% CI: 1.175–2.085), “Governance capacity of the medical insurance administrative agencies and management institutions” (OR = 1.472, 95% CI: 1.111–1.951), and “Effectiveness of governance for off-site medical reimbursement issues” (OR = 1.445, 95% CI: 1.036–2.014).ConclusionThe policy capacity, financial burden, and convenience of the MIS have a positive impact on the IBMIS. Government departments can pay closer attention to these factors and formulate targeted intervention measures to improve the implementation effectiveness of medical insurance policies.

Re-discover student engagement from the perspective of definition and influencing factors.

In recent, the topic of student engagement has received a great deal of academic attention. However, there are numerous definitions of student engagement. Will this lead to inaccuracies and ambiguities in future definitions of student engagement? Therefore, it is important to have a common understanding of student engagement. In this paper, I present three definitions of student engagement that have the potential to be widely accepted. Additionally, in order to study student engagement in more depth, it is crucial to focus factors that influence student engagement. In this paper, 30 articles from three databases, Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis Online, and SAGE, were screened for data analysis based on the inclusion criteria. Three influences were extracted from the included articles, namely student self-control, teacher empathy, and learning environment, which were analyzed as possible indirect influences. An interesting finding is that the learning environment may act as a direct influence. Meanwhile, in order to improve student engagement, this paper draws on Schneider and Ingram's categorization of policy tools, e.g., authority, incentive, and capacity tools, then formulates a causal model of the influences on student engagement, as well as provides a number of interventions, and finally offers some insights.

Evaluating climate-related financial policies’ impact on decarbonization with machine learning methods

This study examines how Climate-Related Financial Policies (CRFPs) support decarbonization and renewable energy transitions across 87 countries from 2000 to 2023. Using the Policy Sequencing Score (PSS) and a bindingness-weighted adoption indicator, it explores the relationships between CRFPs, CO2 emissions, and Renewable Energy Production (REP) across diverse economic and institutional contexts. Findings reveal significant variation in outcomes. Advanced economies and OECD countries leverage structured policies and robust institutions to achieve steady emissions reductions and REP growth, with diminishing returns at higher policy intensities. Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) face institutional and structural constraints but show strong responsiveness to targeted policies, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where renewable energy growth potential is notable. Regions such as Latin America and East Asia display mixed trends, reflecting unique challenges and opportunities. Binding policies prove essential for environmental outcomes, particularly in institutionalized settings, while EMDEs require capacity building and international cooperation to address barriers. This study highlights the importance of tailoring CRFPs to specific contexts, emphasizing policy sequencing, enforcement, and capacity building. By identifying global and regional variations, the findings provide actionable insights for aligning financial systems with climate goals, fostering a sustainable low-carbon transition, and addressing equity challenges.

A Stewardship Approach to Policy Practice and Capacity Renewal in Canada

AbstractOne of Canada's most significant public administration challenges is ensuring the public service possesses the capacity and modern practices needed for effective policymaking. This article argues that Canada's policy renewal efforts have been hampered by a lack of focused and coherent public service reform more generally. Informed by international best practice and an appreciation for Canada's unique public administration context and history, I argue that Canada must adopt a stewardship approach. I provide five actionable recommendations targeted at renewing and modernizing policy capacity. These include: creating a new unit responsible for managing public service renewal to be headed by a new deputy Clerk of the Privy Council, mandating regular systematic reviews of public service policy capacity, expanding the substantive focus of the Clerk's annual reports, developing an enterprise‐wide training strategy for policy professionals, and standardizing modern policymaking practices by embedding them in formal policymaking processes and instruments.

Landscape regeneration and place-based development in marginal areas: learning from an Integrated Project in Southern Salento

This paper aims to contribute to the debate on improving the capacity of place-based policies to trigger sustainable development strategies in marginal rural areas. Drawing on a critical review of the literature on rural development planning, with a focus on European and Italian policies and multi-actor and multi-level approaches in the design and implementation of place-based policies, the paper discusses a participatory action-research experience carried out by the authors, which concerns an Integrated Project for landscape regeneration and local development in Southern Salento, Italy. This is a rural area that adds to the typical features of a peripheral context those related to the so-called Olive Quick Decline Syndrome, a disaster connected to the Xylella epidemic, which transformed a huge part of the traditional landscape of olive groves into a ghostlike place, thus worsening local process of land abandonment and marginality. In this context of social, ecological and economic crisis, the Integrated Project adopted an evolutionary approach to resilience combined with a relational conception of territory-landscape. This was aimed to provide a transformative and empowering local agenda, challenging local actors (and researchers) to experiment with an evolutionary transition towards a more sustainable rural development. According to this perspective, the Integrated Project took the distance from mere consultation-based forms of participation to encompass the selective mobilisation of local actors engaged in collective transformative practices. Thus, it gives some methodological indications on how to develop multilevel governance arrangements to promote new knowledge and innovative ideas for a transformative development of places, which is still a poorly articulated issue in place-based documents and literature. A reflection on the findings of this experience may thus give interesting suggestions for future public policies supporting place-based development in marginal territories.

Enhancing Climate Decision Making

This article investigates the early implementation of the Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards, the world’s first mandatory climate-related disclosure regime, and its influence on New Zealand business practices. Through interviews with 20 organisations, the study explores challenges and opportunities associated with the new disclosure requirements. Findings range from viewing disclosures as compliance to recognising the strategic value. Key needs include enhanced policy support, data access and capacity building to ensure disclosures contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s climate goals. The insights provide a foundation for refining the Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards and offer broader lessons for the global adoption of climate risk disclosure standards.

Urban Environments, Health, and Environmental Sustainability: Findings From the SALURBAL Study.

Despite the relevance of cities and city policies for health, there has been limited examination of large numbers of cities aimed at characterizing urban health determinants and identifying effective policies. The relatively few comparative studies that exist include few cities in lower and middle income countries. The Salud Urbana en America Latina study (SALURBAL) was launched in 2017 to address this gap. The study has four aims: (1) to investigate social and physical environment factors associated with health differences across and within cities; (2) to document the health impact of urban policies and interventions; (3) to use systems approaches to better understand dynamics and identify opportunities for intervention and (4) to create a new dialogue about the drivers of health in cities and their policy implications and support action. Beyond these aims SALURBAL, has an overarching goal of supporting collaborative policy relevant research and capacity -building that engages individuals and institutions from across Latin America. In this review we provide an update on the SALURBAL data resource and collaborative approach and summarize key findings from the first aim of the study. We also describe key elements of our approach, challenges we have faced and how we have overcome them, and identify key opportunities to support policy relevant evidence generation in urban health for the future.

Civil Service and Socio-Economic Development in Akwa Ibom State

The civil service played a critical role in fostering socio-economic development, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This paper examined the role of the civil service in driving socio-economic progress, with a focus on Akwa Ibom State. The study assessed how civil service structures and policies influenced key areas such as employment generation, economic growth, infrastructure development, and public service delivery. To achieve the study objectives, the researcher utilized both descriptive and ex post facto research designs to analyze civil service operations and their impact on socio-economic development. The descriptive design provided a detailed overview of the current state of civil service practices, while the ex post facto design allowed for the examination of past policies and their outcomes without manipulating variables. Data were collected from a variety of secondary sources, including textbooks that offered foundational knowledge, journals with empirical studies, civil service information handbooks detailing regulations, and government bulletins providing insights on policies and challenges. The findings revealed that inadequate allocation of resources; bureaucratic delays, corruption, and ineffective human resource management were major factors that hindered the civil service's ability to achieve socio-economic development. The paper concluded with recommendations for enhancing the efficiency of the civil service, including policy reforms, capacity building, and strategic leadership, to better align with national development goals in Akwa Ibom State.

Contextual factors impacting WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control implementation in Africa-a scoping review.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use causes over 8 million deaths annually including 1.3 million due to second-hand exposure. Furthermore, data from the Tobacco Atlas show that the tobacco industry continues to target new markets in the WHO African region, one of two regions where absolute numbers of smokers continue to increase. Understanding context contributes to policy formulation and implementation ensuring relevance to a country's political economy. Focusing on the WHO African region, this scoping review (i) maps the extent of academic research examining contextual factors on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) national-level implementation, and (ii) reports on contextual factors impacting the WHO FCTC implementation. Using a stepwise structured approach, we conducted a search across four academic databases, yielding 10 342 articles and 42 were selected for full data extraction. Leichter's four categories of context (situational, structural, cultural and exogenous) and the stages of heuristic policy model guided data extraction. Study findings indicated that situational contextual factors such as the burden of disease or its impact on health can push governments toward policy formulation. Structural contextual factors included political considerations, economic interests, funding, institutional congruence, strength of policy and institutional capacity as important. Cultural contextual factors included the influence of policy entrepreneurs, current social trends and public opinion. Exogenous contextual factors included the WHO FCTC, tobacco industry influence at the national-level and bi-lateral partnerships. Further understanding contextual factors affecting the WHO FCTC national implementation can strengthen policy formulation and align required support with the WHO FCTC Secretariat and other relevant bodies.

Integrating physiotherapists in disaster management: A key to comprehensive recovery

Abstract Disasters, both natural and man-made, pose significant challenges, causing substantial loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in disaster management, spanning prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases. They provide acute care, and long-term rehabilitation, addressing physical and psychosocial recovery aspects. Case studies from the Kashmir, Nepal, and Haiti earthquakes illustrate the vital role of physiotherapists in triage, wound care, mobilization, and community reintegration. Despite barriers such as resource limitations and professional challenges, physiotherapists enhance disaster response through specialized skills and multidisciplinary collaboration. To improve disaster management, recommendations include policy support, training, capacity building, and international cooperation. Investing in physiotherapy in disaster management is essential for building resilient, inclusive communities capable of facing future challenges.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Adoption Trends, Impacts, and Challenges Among Smallholder Farmers

Sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) remain the panacea to addressing challenges relating to climate change, low rainfall, and low agricultural productivity in many rural parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). These practices include but are not limited to crop rotation, intercropping, cover cropping, and conservation tillage. The aforementioned practices have been scientifically proven to enhance crop productivity while safeguarding environmental resources. This review assesses the trends, effectiveness, and challenges associated with the adoption and utilization of SAPs among smallholder farmers in the SSA region, analyzing the literature and reports from 2000 to 2024 sourced from databases such as Google Scholar and Scopus. The inclusion criteria focused on key concepts such as SAPs, adoption, and challenges. Findings indicate that crop rotation, intercropping, improved seed varieties, manure, and mulching are among the most adopted practices. In reality, practices such as conservation tillage, agroforestry, and water harvesting systems remain the least adopted practices in many rural parts of SSA. The review further reveals that challenges relating to land tenure insecurity, lack of knowledge, training, and limited access to financial institutions all have a direct or indirect influence on farmers’ choice of adoption. Overcoming the aforementioned challenges through policy interventions and capacity building is vital for improved crop productivity and rural livelihoods.

Populism and policy capacity: Evidence from an opposition municipality in Istanbul

AbstractDespite achievements in its conceptual rigor, policy capacity still represents a relatively depoliticized concept that fails to sufficiently consider the ways in which politics plays a role in its creation, mobilization, or decay. This article seeks to contribute to this debate by investigating the impact of populism on policy capacity, the type of policy capacity challenges posed and how they are related to populist policy design. Based on a case study of a municipality in Istanbul the article shows how populist politics and national populist policy design erode long‐term municipal policy capacity by enabling the (ab)use of the rule of law, loss of expertise, exhaustion of critical assets such as urban land and financial resources, and erosion of public citizenship due to growing expectations in the form of particularistic benefits. Declining policy capacity in turn leads to a shift in municipal policy priorities.

Political involvement in street‐level policy implementation as a two‐way relationship—The effect of policy capacity

AbstractTo date, research on politicians’ influence on the work of street‐level bureaucrats (SLB) and the consequences for policy implementation has mainly focused on disruptive effects of political involvement—for instance, poorer social equity in public service provision or political patronage. Our study opens up this perspective and argues that the relationship between politicians and SLB is a two‐way relationship shaped by capacities of the stakeholders themselves and their organisational environment. We link SLB research with policy capacity literature. We focus on the effect of political capacity because this type of capacity meaningfully influences whether SLB can actively control the relationship with politicians. We ask: What is the relevance of political capacity for policy implementation? We use data from Swiss social assistance where the phenomenon of interest, that is the political involvement, is institutionalised by law within the implementing agencies. We show that political capacity at the organisational and individual level has a confidence‐building effect. SLB and politicians learn how to engage with each other and how to make the most of the exchange. Politicians gain a deeper understanding and are able to politically legitimise the policy.Points for practitioners Existing research on politicians’ influence on the work of street‐level bureaucrats (SLB) has mainly focused on disruptive effects of political involvement—for instance, poorer social equity in public service provision or political patronage. We show that the relationship between SLB and political actors can actually lead to ‘non‐disruptive’ or even positive effects on public service provision due to certain capacities of the stakeholders themselves and their institutional environment. We identify two types of capacity that foster a constructive relationship between SLB and politicians: organisational and individual political capacity. Organisational political capacity: The institutional or organisational setting within which SLB and politicians implement public policy and provide public services can promote regular exchange and cooperation between these two types of stakeholders to a greater or lesser extent—or even require it (e.g. by law). If the setting is conducive, constructive contact between SLB and politicians takes place during policy implementation. Thus, SLB and politicians know each other and know how to interact, which enhances trust among them and mutual understanding of their respective duties, challenges, and interests. Individual political capacity arises from this as SLB learn how to use this contact for their needs, that is to obtain and sustain political support for their policy actions. Politicians also benefit from the exchange because they gain a deeper understanding of the respective policy and feel more confident in representing it towards the public and the politics. In short, the findings show how capacity at different levels may reinforce each other. The organisational context can promote political capacity through regular contact between SLB and politicians. Actors have to learn to work with each other and thereby enhance their individual political capacity.

Regional trade agreements and economic integration in Africa: assessing the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA)

This article examines the impact of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) on economic integration in Africa, focusing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As the largest free trade area globally, AfCFTA aims to create a unified market for goods and services across 55 African Union member states, fostering economic growth, reducing trade barriers, and enhancing intra-African trade. This article assesses the potential economic benefits of AfCFTA, including increased market access, industrialization, and job creation. It also considers the challenges of implementation, such as infrastructure deficits, varying levels of economic development, and non-tariff barriers. Through case studies of key African economies, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, the article explores how AfCFTA is reshaping trade dynamics and regional cooperation. Furthermore, it evaluates the role of AfCFTA in addressing Africa’s dependence on external markets and enhancing global competitiveness. The article concludes by providing recommendations for policy reforms, capacity building, and regional cooperation needed to maximize the benefits of AfCFTA. By analyzing both opportunities and challenges, this article offers insights into how AfCFTA can drive deeper economic integration and sustainable development across the African continent.

Policy Capacity Framework Implementation at the Indonesian Air Force Academy

Policy Capacity Framework Implementation at the Indonesian Air Force Academy

Financial Analysis of Education Industry under the Framework of Harvard Analysis —— Take New Oriental Education &amp; Technology Group as an Example

After the promulgation of the double reduction policy, New Oriental suffered a huge impact. Based on the financial statements of New Oriental in recent years, this paper makes a financial analysis of New Oriental. the Harvard analysis framework is used to analyze the financial situation of enterprises from four perspectives: strategy, accounting, finance and prospects. PEST analysis and SWOT analysis are used in strategic analysis. Through accounting analysis and financial analysis, since the impact of the double reduction policy, the solvency, profitability and operating capacity of enterprises are not good, but due to the timely transformation, these capabilities will show an upward trend in the future. And through the prospect analysis, it is concluded that New Oriental should develop new products in an all-round way and deeply tap the potential of carrying goods. This article can provide a reference for other education and training companies that want to transform.