A New Conceptual Framework and Approach to Decision Making in Public Policy

Abstract

In this conceptual paper, we bring forward a new theoretical proposition in the form of an Integrated Policy-Making Process Framework. This tool arose from the discussion and hypothesis that the main models used to analyse public policies have practical and theoretical limitations and/or are due for an update, especially when it comes to the study of phenomena with many actors involved, vast legislation, large timeframes, and high degrees of complexity. Our original model encompasses the three fundamental stages of the public policy cycle (agenda; decision making; implementation). Our approach can have a wide spectrum of applications and contribute to the field of knowledge of political sciences. Our proposal of using three frameworks in an integrated way enables researchers and users to gain a holistic vision concerning policy processes, and it offers the possibility to compare and rank categories. The Integrated Policy-Making Process Framework is thus proposed as a new tool to tackle research and studies on decision making in public policies and the policy-making cycle.

Quantitizing Qualitative Data from Semi-Structured Interviews: A Methodological Contribution in the Context of Public Policy Decision-Making

“…In the ambit of the literature review on theories/models that contribute to the understanding of public policies, the question arose of which theories/models to adopt as a reference for each stage. The whole process is explained in [39]. What follows is a contextualizing summary.…”

“…We exclude from here detailed descriptions of each element of the theoretical framework adopted to keep the presentation as succinct as possible and because the content relates to political science and public policy. A more interested reader can consult [39], where the process of choosing, integrating and making sense of the three models chosen, as well as comments on each dimension and category included in it are thoroughly explained. was performed.…”

Open Government Policy Making by Popular Voting: Comparing Canada and New Zealand

“…Decision-making refers to the third stage in which formal actors in government adopt a particular course of action. This resonates with a newer integrated policymaking process framework (Banha et al, 2022), which builds on fundamental stages of the public policy cycle but has a more detailed understanding of the agenda-setting, decision-making, and implementation stages.…”

Part of the process: Using evidence to shape policy development

“…The stages of the policy-making process that I describe below are derived from Lasswell's (1956) seminal work on the policy-making cycle. My scholarship and experience in public policy, however, is also informed by other scholars who have developed frameworks that extend and modify Lasswell's conceptual model, including Kingdon (1984), Lindblom (1959), Sabatier andMazmanian (1980), andBanha et al (2022).…”