Getting the Job Done: Alternative Policy Instruments

Abstract

A major challenge for the next generation of policy research will be to apply the lessons of past implementation studies in building a more powerful conceptual framework and at the same time, in producing more useful information for policymakers. This article begins to build such a framework by focusing on the notion of alternative policy instruments, or the mechanisms that translate substantive policy goals into concrete actions. It examines four different types of instruments and attempts to specify key relationships among problem definition, instrument choice, organizational context, implementation, and effects.

Is alignment enough? Investigating the effects of state policies and professional development on science curriculum implementation

“…One way to distinguish among policies in education is by the tools or instruments that policy makers use to effect change, and in recent years, states have sought to use tools aimed at systemic, rather than piecemeal, change (McDonnell & Elmore, 1987). Policies intended to effect systemic change require the coordinated use of multiple policy instruments aimed at multiple levels of complex school systems (M. Smith & O'Day, 1991).…”

A Typology of Tools for Building Sustainability Strategies

“…distinguishes two kinds of typologies: one focuses on nominal categories, the other on fundamental attributes. Nominal categories may be elaborated on the basis (1) of resources needed for the implementation of an instrument (Hood, 1983), (2) of the degree of legitimate constraint (Doern and Phidd, 1983), (3) of the expected effects of an instrument (McDonnell and Elmore, 1987), or (4) of the behavioural aptitudes of the target groups (Ingram and Schneider, 1990). Among the typologies concentrating on attributes, Varone mentions Sabatier and Pelkey's (1987) advocacy coalition approach, Salamon's (1989) public management approach, Linder and Peters' (1989) policy design, and Trebilcock's et al (1994) public choice theory.…”

The Role and Effectiveness of the Haitian Diaspora in the Development of Haiti

“…As a policy instrument, Liu, Johnson & Peske (2004) note that, "inducements attempt to elicit the production of value in terms of goods, service, or a set of specified behaviors contrary to mandates that seek to elicit compliance and uniformity of behavior" (p. 230). In other words, incentives rely on money as a condition of performance while mandates rely on coercion to affect behavior (McDonnell & Elmore, 1987 Liu, Johnson & Peske (2004) note that "inducements focus on short-term and more tangible outcomes, and as a result, they are easier to enact politically than policies that aim at producing outcomes that take a long time to be realized" (p. 220). In short, inducements may foster more innovation and creativity when the capacities exist to produce goods and services that are allowed and supported by policymakers (McDonnell & Elmore, 1987;Liu, Johnson & Peske, 2004).…”

“…Public-policy instruments are defined as "a set of techniques by which governmental authorities wield their power in attempting to ensure support and effect (or prevent) social change" (Vedung, 1998, p. 21 (McDonnell & Elmore, 1987;Emanuel, Currie & Herman, 2005). After all, "the purpose of any inducement is to change behavior" (Emanuel, Currie & Herman, 2005, p.336).…”

“…After all, "the purpose of any inducement is to change behavior" (Emanuel, Currie & Herman, 2005, p.336). Inducements are, in fact, accompanied by rules designed to make sure that inducements are used with policymakers' intent (McDonnell & Elmore, 1987).…”