Policy Design and Nodal Governance: A Comparative Analysis of Determinants of Environmental Policy Change in a South African City

Abstract

This contribution to the special issue on comparative implementation research focuses on a policy paradox, a failed attempt to introduce a Solar Water Heater bylaw in a South African city in spite of much initial support, both politically and professionally. The paper combines a policy design and a nodal governance perspective to explain why the law failed to materialize. We use categories developed by the nodal governance approach to characterize the mentalities and technologies of the public agencies involved in the policy process, and explore how distinct policy cultures are nurtured by the networked relations and concomitant learning contexts of these agencies. The analysis shows how the agencies differ sharply on philosophical and practical grounds as to how they typically think about policy values and interventions. This tends to make the collaboration between them difficult as each of them experience the other as seeking to frustrate rather to assist the policy process. The paper documents how 'superstitious learning' became a predominant trait of the bylaw process, as each of the agencies tended to look for evidence in the actions of officials in the other department that confirmed their stereotypical view of them, and reinforced it during the process of interaction. Insufficient attention was given, early on in the bylaw process, to the fact that these departments would have to cooperate closely and that 'buy-in' from both was a critical condition for success. Due to this, unfortunate policy design choices fed forward through the implementation process and disabled opportunities for co-learning and collective problem-solving. Theoretical approach-policy design and nodal governance Revival of policy implementation research The study of implementation has had a substantial impact on policy studies. In particular, implementation theories have demonstrated that the political process continues through to the final output of the policy process (Bardach 1977). Policy implementation studies have frequently pointed to various 'policy paradoxes' where the policy outcome and mutual adherence to policy goals by actors involved are irreconcilable (

Government Purchase of Services in China: Similar Intentions, Different Policy Designs

“…When a range of non‐state actors with diverse objectives engage in the policy design process, it is increasingly dynamic and difficult to match policy instruments with goals and capacity (Froestad et al, ; Howlett and Ramesh, ; Lee and Thynne, ; Mukherjee and Howlett, ). Empirical studies suggest that policy failure in contracting out, due to inappropriate procurement and regulation strategies by incapable policymakers, is a common phenomenon (DeHoog, ; John and Ward, ; Van Slyke, ).…”

Network‐led advocacy for a green shipping transformation: A case study of governance networks in the Norwegian maritime sector

“…Wood & Dupont 2006;Nøkleberg 2016;Quéro & Dupont 2019), but has also been applied in environmental governance (e.g. Froestad et al 2013;Ziervogel et al 2017) and global water governance (Baumgartner & Pahl-Wostl 2013). As a theoretical framework, nodal governance is relatively young and should be tested and elaborated further.…”

“…Froestad et al . 2013; Ziervogel et al . 2017) and global water governance (Baumgartner & Pahl‐Wostl 2013).…”