Policy Implementation Approach Research Articles

Challenges and opportunities in implementing and enforcing India's loose cigarette sales ban: A qualitative stakeholder analysis.

Several Indian states have banned the sale of loose cigarettes, and India is considering a national ban. This study examines the perceptions of policymakers, implementers, and law enforcement officials regarding the implementation and enforcement of this ban. Between May-October 2022, we conducted in-depth interviews with 26 key stakeholders involved in tobacco control in two Indian cities, Delhi (where the ban was not implemented) and Mumbai (where the ban was in effect). Participants included representatives from various government departments such as police, municipal corporations, FDA, health, and civil society organizations / NGOs such as Vital Strategies, World Health Organization, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and local NGOs. Interviews explored policy awareness, implementation and enforcement status, and factors influencing implementation and enforcement of the ban. Interview transcripts were organized in NVivo, and reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. In Mumbai, awareness of the ban was poor among implementers and law enforcers, including FDA, municipal, and police officials, while it was higher among health department officials and NGOs directly involved in tobacco control. Participants from Mumbai expressed that the implementation and enforcement of the ban was poor and loose cigarettes were still widely available. Main barriers to policy implementation included unclear implementation guidelines, poor awareness among tobacco vendors, limited resources, and lack of stakeholder commitment for tobacco control. Participants from both the cities emphasized the need for a vendor licensing system, imposing hefty penalties, imparting health education, and a multi-sectoral approach for effective policy implementation and enforcement. Limited awareness of the ban and continued sale of loose cigarettes highlight gaps in policy implementation and enforcement. Effective policy implementation and enforcement requires raising awareness regarding the policy, adopting a tobacco vendor licensing system, and establishing clear implementation guidelines involving a multi-sectoral approach.

A quantitative study to evaluate the controls and accountability measures in place to alleviate the leadership and governance challenges impacting the realization of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa

ObjectivesGovernance and leadership are regarded as the most crucial aspects in delivering quality health care, and yet they are arguably the most complex functions of any health system. The objective of the study was to investigate the structural problems affecting the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and address the challenges affecting the NHI building blocks. Further objective of the study was to evaluate if there were appropriate controls and accountability measures in leadership and governance to inform the development of a workable model for the implementation of the NHI in South Africa.DesignA quantitative study was undertaken to interrogate the structural problems affecting the implementation of the NHI by seeking to address the challenges affecting the NHI building blocks.Setting and participantsThe study was undertaken with participants who are decision-makers and/or contribute to the health sector reforms in South Africa in the realization of the NHI.Main outcomeThe main outcome of the study was to determine the requisite interventions to deal with challenges that affect governance and/or leadership functions in the implementation of the NHI.MethodsThe questionnaire was distributed via SurveyMonkey over a period of 2 months, and the data were analysed using R Statistical computing software of the R Core Team, 2020, version 3.6.3. The results were presented in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsThe study found that the success to implement NHI needs to be supported by clarity and commitment to specific policy fundamentals aimed at improving efficiency, stakeholder participation, and accountability. This imperative remains very much in doubt since the different occupations hold different views about the progress made in the implementation of the NHI across the governance and leadership functions.ConclusionsThe study confirmed the interrelatedness of the subthemes identified for the governance and leadership construct and pointed to the importance of sharpening policy development and implementation approaches in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.Protocol registrationThe Ethics approval reference number is HSSREC 00002565/2021.

RURAL TOURISM AS A CATALYST:

Abstract This research critically examines the interplay between rural tourism and poverty alleviation in Sri Lanka, using an analytical framework based on secondary data analysis. By aggregating reports from institutions, the study employs empirical evidence and time-series data analyzed through econometric methodologies to explore this relationship. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses delineate the magnitude and directionality of the interconnection between the tourism sector and poverty reduction mechanisms. Correlation analysis evaluates interdependencies among variables, selecting significant ones for the regression model to enhance predictive capacity and minimize errors. Exhibit 3 presents Pearson correlation coefficients among these pivotal variables.The methodological framework is anchored in an empirical model derived from extensive literature review, positioning rural tourism development as the independent variable and poverty alleviation as the dependent variable. This model includes dimensions such as warfare impacts, economic growth trajectories, employment opportunities, and financial requisites for poverty mitigation, scrutinized through correlation and regression analyses.A key revelation is the multifaceted relationship between rural tourism and poverty alleviation, intricately linked with economic growth, political stability, and employment generation. While the direct linkage is modest, indirect connections through employment, infrastructure development, and political stability are significant. The research highlights these previously underexplored pathways, challenging conventional underestimations of socio-economic impacts of tourism. The findings advocate reconceptualizing rural tourism as an instrument for socio-economic transformation, addressing poverty challenges in rural contexts. The study critiques existing government poverty alleviation programmes, revealing gaps and inefficiencies. It argues for leveraging rural tourism within socio-economic frameworks, proposing a dual-strategy approach for policy implementation that emphasizes sustainable development and responsiveness to rural socio-cultural and environmental contexts.This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable rural development, positing rural tourism as a pivotal yet underutilized vector for socio-economic revitalization. The insights and recommendations extend beyond Sri Lanka, offering a blueprint for rural tourism-centered poverty alleviation strategies in the developing world.

Governmental implementation of information and communication technology at the local level: Digital co‐production during a crisis

AbstractThe rapid expansion of volunteerism, especially during COVID‐19, requires efficient organisation of citizen volunteers, thus leading professionals to utilise information and communication technology (ICT) as an enabling tool for interaction and coordination. This study focuses on professionals’ perspectives at the local level regarding governmental steps towards digitalisation and its application in volunteer co‐production. The policy implementation approach was used through in‐depth interviews with 19 local coordinators in Israel during the COVID‐19 crisis. This study found that, while central government invested efforts in training, guidance, and ICT support for professionals, the implementation of digital technologies was not successful at the local level. This highlights the need for digital platforms for volunteer coordination to be be tailored to specific cultural characteristics and local contexts. Neglected but important factors in ICT implementation were identified, including intra‐organisational dynamics, the local community, and authority. By addressing these contextual factors and adopting a more inclusive and context‐sensitive approach, digital platforms can better support local volunteer coordination efforts.Points for practitioners Adopt a holistic approach to digitalisation: Senior‐level administrators in central government should adopt a holistic approach to digitalisation, one that accounts for local contexts—cultural characteristics and collaborative governance structures. This approach should involve coordinators in the development process, together with other stakeholders involved in co‐production. Focus on user‐centric platform design and implementation: To ensure usability and acceptance among coordinators, practitioners should prioritise a user‐centric approach to platform design and implementation. This entails constructing intuitive, user‐friendly platforms, meeting the needs of the coordinators involved in the digitalisation process. Address organisational characteristics and overcome barriers: Practitioners should recognise municipal organisational characteristics, thus obviating potential barriers to digital technology implementation. This includes such factors as status and professional position within the municipality, securing bureaucratic commitment, and overcoming governmental bureaucracy or a lack of leadership.

Study on decarbonization trajectories and policy implications for China: A comparative analysis of carbon peak nations.

Amidst escalating global concerns over climate change and the pressing need for sustainable development, this study conducts a comparative analysis across 24 nations that have successfully achieved carbon peaking, evaluating their socioeconomic characteristics and carbon reduction strategies. Simultaneously, it examines China's policy evolution and strategic responses within the context of its economic and urban development. The analysis reveals that countries with successful carbon peak outcomes typically exhibit high GDP per capita and advanced urbanization rates. Critical to their success are comprehensive adjustments in energy consumption structures and industrial transformation, which are supported by robust environmental policies and technological innovation. The study categorizes global carbon reduction policies into three primary categories and seven sub-categories, reflecting the dynamic evolution of policy approaches driven by global climate agendas and varying stages of national development. Strategies including legal frameworks, carbon pricing mechanisms, international cooperation, and technological innovation are critically assessed for their potential to refine China's carbon policies. Significant challenges in policy implementation are identified, particularly in aligning ambitious environmental strategies with economic objectives and managing transition costs in critical sectors such as energy and transportation. The study emphasizes the necessity of a phased policy implementation approach, which begins with enhancing public and corporate environmental awareness, advances through the promotion of low-carbon technologies, and concludes with the establishment of stringent legal and regulatory frameworks.

Sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions: the stakeholder perspectives

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the considerations for implementing sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachIt employs a qualitative approach. It is based on opinions gathered from 272 stakeholders (including authorities and academicians) of HEIs.FindingsNepalese HEIs are facing several challenges, such as the lack of a changing vision and values to create a culture of sustainability initiatives and the socioeconomic and cultural gaps between policy sources and implementation approaches for sustainability. Therefore, they need to consider several sustainability initiatives to improve their performance and competitiveness. Effective leadership, learning culture, sustainability-related policy, effective HRM, organizational structure, supportive culture, technology, rewards, and university-academia-industry linkages are the key prerequisites for implementing sustainability initiatives. Thus, HEIs must make substantial investments in such aspects. Furthermore, they have to focus on sustainability initiative context, feasible strategies, and actionable/practical solutions to implement sustainability initiatives that help in achieving performance outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsIt is solely based on the opinions of authorities and academicians of Nepalese HEIs. Since it was carried out in the Nepalese context, results might vary at other times and in other nations.Practical implicationsIt serves as a wake-up message to HEIs' officials about the barricades associated with sustainability initiatives and also addresses important requirements for putting such initiatives into practice.Originality/valueIt provides a holistic framework to initiate sustainability in HEIs to help them achieve expected outcomes.

Effectiveness in Implementing Office Administration Interconnection Policy through the Srikandi Application at the Tanjungpinang City Council Secretariat

This research is entitled "Effectiveness in Implementing Office Administration Interconnection Policy Through the SRIKANDI Application at the Tanjungpinang City Council Secretariat." The aim of this research is expected to be able to provide comprehensive information in implementing the office administration interconnection program through the SRIKANDI Application at the Tanjungpinang City Council Secretariat. Meanwhile, the benefits of the research are expected to provide information to the readers, among other things, theoretically, this research is expected to provide better knowledge and understanding in the field of Public Administration, especially in dynamic archive management in government and non-government institutions or agencies. The practical benefit is to increase knowledge in implementing effective and correct applications in accordance with existing regulations. In this research, researchers have used data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observation and documentation (Moleong, 2011). Meanwhile, in this research, researchers have also used the Grindle model of public policy implementation approach theory (in Winarno, 2002) which details Digital Policy Implementation in two criteria. First, Digital Policy Content which includes the interests of the target group, types of benefits, degree of change, location of decision making, program implementation and resources involved. Second, the Implementation Environment which includes power, interests, characteristics of institutions and authorities as well as compliance and responsiveness. The research results provide an illustration that the implementation of the SRIKANDI application still has a number of obstacles, especially when accessing the application, such as limited internet connection access and other resource limitations. Apart from a number of problems above, the potential for implementing E-Government through the SRIKANDI application is considered to be able to overcome the challenges of effective, efficient and needs- oriented government administration, the implementation of online digital applications and web browsers can be automated and can reduce the need for time-consuming manual work and resources.

Significance of Bottom-Up Approach for Policy Implementation

Significance of Bottom-Up Approach for Policy Implementation

Analyzing Supporting and Inhibiting Factors in the Implementation of Stunting Reduction Acceleration Policy in Depok City

This research raises the issue of stunting, which is not only a serious public health challenge in Depok City but also worldwide. The main focus of the research is to identify and analyze the factors that support and hinder the implementation of policies to accelerate stunting reduction in Depok City and formulate an optimal implementation model. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study collected data through in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and observations. The analysis was conducted using NVivo 14 software by applying Knill and Tosun's determinants of policy implementation approach. Results show that factors such as political will, program innovation, human resource quality, and social acceptance are key enablers, while budget inefficiency and sectoral ego were found to be the main inhibitors. The proposed implementation model integrates policy instruments, policy design, control structure, institutional design, administrative capacity, and social acceptance with a focus on sustainability. This research makes an important contribution to the development of knowledge in the fields of government science and public administration and the practice of public policy, particularly in efforts to accelerate stunting reduction in Depok City and other regions in Indonesia.

Coordinating school improvement: Understanding the impact of state implementation approach on coordination in multilevel governance systems

AbstractMultilevel governance is theorized to facilitate effective policy implementation by encouraging the use of local knowledge and expertise, enabling the participation of non‐government actors, and capitalizing on the coordinating and sanctioning authority of centralized governments. Whether a particular multilevel governance arrangement achieves this, however, depends in part on the degree to which it enables coordination among governmental and non‐governmental actors representing different levels and jurisdictions. Using a comparative case study of education governance reform in the United States, this study investigates how differences in state policy implementation approach impact the structure and mode of coordination in multilevel governance systems and considers the effects this has on policy implementation processes. The results indicate that a state's implementation approach impacts coordination by structuring how different levels of government interact, share information, and influence policy. Specifically, variation in the structure of the central governing agency directly enables or restricts the influence of bottom‐up coordination from lower levels of government. The results also highlight the theoretical limitations of current binary structure models of multilevel governance (i.e., centralized vs. decentralized, top‐down vs. bottom‐up, hierarchy vs. network) for capturing important nuances in policy coordination. These findings advance the understanding of policy coordination in multilevel governance systems and inform the design of institutional arrangements that balance trade‐offs in centralization and the delegation of authority across governance systems during policy implementation.

ABAC as Access Control Solution for Digital Evidence Storage

Digital evidence is content that must be protected against access and use by parties who should not have the authority to do so. Some protection parameters for access to digital evidence must be implemented to ensure its integrity and authenticity. Access to digital evidence is not enough to be facilitated only with authorization and authentication mechanisms but must also be facilitated with other aspects of access by users according to their level of authority. One approach is to use the concept of access control. The study of access control to digital evidence is essential. However, studies on this matter are still limited. Among the many access control models, the application of access control based on attribute variations is a concept that can be applied to the context of access to digital evidence. This paper discusses policy design and modeling using attribute-based access control (ABAC) with four attributes: subject, resource, action, and environment. Then, it implements and tests various requests to the system based on attribute variations and possible algorithms. This study supports the security of digital evidence storage systems through access control to the resources it manages using the Policy Statement, Policy Modeling, Policy Implementation, and Policy Validation approaches. The application of the access control design shows that the ABAC concept has been successfully applied as an access control solution for digital evidence stored in digital evidence storage systems. The built policy design was successfully validated using ACPT Tools, concluding that there was no inconsistency or incompleteness.

Flood Management in Rwanda: An Analysis of Policy Implementation Perspective

Globally and in Rwanda, floods have caused material damage, human life losses, environmental degradation, and destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. In 2012, Rwanda enacted the National Disaster Management Policy to address floods among other disasters in Rwanda. This study assessed flood management in Rwanda from the policy implementation perspective. It intended to respond to three main questions: (1) To what extent has the policy implementation process taken a top-down or bottom-up approach? (2) To what extent has this policy been a success or a failure? and (3) To the extent that there has been some failure, how might factors related to implementation help to explain this? Secondary data available in different publications were used. The results show that the Rwanda National Disaster Management Policy achieved partial success on its three objectives, namely, (i) to raise capacity for the management of disasters; (ii) to ensure a coordinated and participatory approach; and (iii) to link sustainable development and disaster management in relation to flood management. In raising capacity for the management of disasters, though there has been the creation of new collaborative structures, which is partial evidence of increasing capacity, one cannot conclude whether this objective was achieved because it is vague and difficult to measure. Nevertheless, good progress was achieved in ensuring a coordinated and participatory approach; and linking sustainable development and disaster management. The study recommends awareness raising and capacity building for all implementing actors with an emphasis on low-income actors to be supported financially in addition to awareness raising. It further recommends a bottom-up policy implementation approach to yield more results

State-Level Efforts to Reform Elementary Science Education

This comparative case study explores how 18 state education agencies (SEAs) support school districts in advancing standards-based elementary science reform. We identify how SEAs understand their work in advancing elementary science reform and describe how SEAs sought to engage districts in bridging from standards to classroom practice. Based on our analysis, we argue that the school subject is a critical explanatory variable in understanding SEA efforts to support standards implementation and SEAs lean on a resource-based approach for instructional policy implementation. This study contributes to the growing research base on the role of state policy in supporting standards implementation.

Integration Through Health During Protracted Displacement: Case Studies From Colombia and Jordan

As the global rate of displacement reaches new highs and the average length of displacement extends from years to decades, integration is an increasingly crucial lifeline for refugees and displaced communities seeking to rebuild their lives. Health systems serve as an ideal conduit for integration due to universal need, system complexity, and the interplay of political, social, and economic factors on health outcomes. Using lessons learned from case studies in Colombia and Jordan, this paper will explore different strategies for integration of refugee health services with host population health systems. It will highlight successful policy implementation and innovative approaches as well as predict potential barriers to success via a population-centered approach that emphasizes the importance of supporting host communities concurrently with displaced populations. It offers the following findings and recommendations for governmental and humanitarian actors. Effective integration requires a “whole of person” approach which acknowledges and responds to the linkages between legal status, economic needs, and mental and physical health and wellbeing. Addressing the health needs of populations experiencing protracted displacement must go hand-in-hand with, and cannot be decoupled from, addressing the needs of host communities. Demographic and epidemiologic data inclusive of both host and displaced populations enables governments and service providers to better plan for and respond to key health and non-health needs. Donors and financing structures can play a critical role in facilitating greater integration of health and other services.

Future Directions for Transforming Kinesiology Implementation Science Into Society

Physical activity policy can play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals, communities, and societies can obtain the wide range of health benefits associated with regular physical activity participation. Policies such as Title IX, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and state physical education laws have all increased opportunities for millions of Americans to participate in physical activity. With that said, how policies are developed and implemented vary considerably. The purpose of this manuscript is to contrast an academic conceptual framework with a pragmatic approach for policy implementation. In an ideal world, polices would be developed from foundational knowledge, scaled up to community-level interventions, and implemented in a sequential fashion. However, policy implementation is a disorderly process that requires a practical methodology. The National Physical Activity Plan encompasses strategies and tactics across 10 key societal sectors—and highlights the disorderly process of policy implementation across the various sectors.

Private forest owner willingness to mobilise wood from dense, small-diameter tree stands

Forests are a source of renewable biomass, and their utilisation will play a vital role in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy. Small-diameter tree management could contribute to this transition via providing renewable biomass for sustainable uses and fostering tree growth towards long-lifecycle bioproducts. The utilisation of small-diameter trees in the EU is still low since new technologies and work models are required to make the operations economically profitable, environmentally sound, and socially attractive. The supply of biomass from small-diameter tree stands is dependent on forest owners with diverse perceptions on their forests and diverse ownership objectives. However, there is scarce research on forest owner perceptions on small-diameter tree management, which encompasses home consumption, self-active work, and commercial forestry services. A survey in four EU countries was designed to identify the main factors affecting the motivation of forest owners to mobilise biomass from small-diameter stands. Factor and clustering analyses were used to identify four forest owner segments: weakly-engaged traders, well-being seekers, self-active profit-seekers, and well-informed service users. The willingness to utilise biomass from small-diameter tree stands and participate in the market was shaped by forest owner knowledge of forestry, economic and socio-cultural motivations, and sensitivity to service offerings. Forest owner preferences for market participation are heterogenous, and thus different policy implementation approaches are needed and proposed.

The Transformation of Regional Government Policies in Maintaining Economic and Health Stability in the New Normal Era

It has been more than one year that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit Indonesia. In the face of this pandemic, governments from the national and district levels have responded with policies that limit social activities, resulting in decreased mobility in the community to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. This ultimately has an impact on economic growth. In addition, policies in the health sector are also the main thing, starting from the handling of Covid19 patients at the beginning of the pandemic to the provision of vaccines in the New Normal era. The focus of this writing will look at the transformation of local government policies in the New Normal era of two districts in Indonesia, namely South Bengkulu (Bengkulu) and Pidie (Aceh) to maintain economic stability and health in their regions. By using a policy implementation approach and qualitative descriptive analysis methods, this article aims to understand how local government policies transform in the pandemic era. This study concludes that the policy transformation of the local government of Bengkulu Selatan and Pidie districts in maintaining economic stability and the district generally follows the rules from the central government, but is adjusted to the situation and conditions of the district, such as the Covid-19 transmission rate and the budget owned by each region respectively.

Towards an enabled journey: barriers encountered by public transport riders with disabilities for the whole journey chain

ABSTRACT The ability to travel freely and independently to participate in society is essential for an individual’s wellbeing and quality of life. People with disabilities are often unable to access public transport due to barriers in the urban environment and public transport systems. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the barriers faced by people with disabilities who are independent public transport riders. It includes: (a) barriers encountered from the perspective of the whole journey chain, from origin to destination for public transport trips; (b) investigates the commonalities and differences in the perceived barriers for different disability types; (c) discusses the impacts and shortcomings of universal design; and (d) limitations to data collection procedures. Evidence from the review of the existing literature has shown that there is limited research on travel behaviour relating to the whole public transport journey chain for people with disabilities. The consequences of not being able to make a journey due to the barriers in public transport inhibit participation in society that can have a range of negative impacts on the wellbeing of people with disabilities. This paper highlights the importance of the “bottom-up” approach for policy implementation and engagement with the disability community. It concludes with directions for further work and recommendations for practitioners.

Anti-doping in China: an analysis of the policy implementation processes through stakeholders’ perspectives

ABSTRACT Despite the vast research on anti-doping policy, little is known about anti-doping in China and how it responds to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Yet this is an important area for understanding anti-doping at the international level. This article explains anti-doping policy implementation processes in China. It uses the Van Meter and Van Horn top-down policy implementation approach to interpret 42 interviews that come from nine different locations in China and from staff at WADA and other National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), to provide a comprehensive understanding of anti-doping implementation. The results demonstrate that while China has the organizational and financial resources to support anti-doping, some potential risks cannot be ignored, such as funding shortages in poorer provinces, the insufficient manpower of the Doping Control Officers (DCOs), and having a clearer strategy for student and non-elite sports contexts.

Interest, politics and drift in policy implementation: The case of trafficking prevention measures in Brazil

This article scrutinizes the anti-trafficking efforts that the PT Government in Brazil undertook to implement the National Anti-Trafficking Policy in collaboration with different civil society organizations. Focusing on crime prevention measures, the article analyses the perceptions and understandings of trafficking, and the values and norms implicit in those, as well as the relationships developed between pubic officials and members of the civil society in this context. Examining everyday policy work, the article illustrates that policy implementation cannot be considered a mere technical-rational endeavor, in which replaceable officials deliver consistent and replicable outcomes based on unambiguous rules, assigned roles, and specified tasks and procedures. On the one hand, personality, personal motives and interests played a significant role in forging policy implementation focus and approach. On the other hand, the public officials struggled with the activists’ attempts to shift policy concerns and implementation into a direction that diverged from their own politics.