LIST OF PANELS

General Objective

This panel seeks to advance the theoretical and empirical understanding of the drivers of policy implementation performance, with a particular focus on the role of context. Building on a long-standing tradition in public policy research, this panel will explore how varying contexts impact the significance and interplay of implementation drivers, such as policy characteristics, stakeholder roles, and local administrative capacities. Our objective is to facilitate discussions that not only deepen our comprehension of existing determinant frameworks but also encourage scholars to explore under-researched areas of context-sensitive implementation. By fostering new perspectives, we aim to identify pathways for developing refined, contextually adaptive frameworks to improve policy outcomes across different domains and geographic settings.

Research Question

The panel addresses the central research question: How do contextual factors shape the significance and interaction of drivers in policy implementation? While decades of research have identified numerous factors that contribute to successful or failed policy implementation (O'Toole, 1986; Brynard, 2009; Winter, 2012; Bullock et al., 2021; Ambang, 2023), there remains limited empirical knowledge about the conditions under which these drivers apply. Specifically, we aim to examine whether specific contextual factors, such as political stability, administrative capacity, and social dynamics, modulate the influence of key implementation variables. Addressing these gaps may lead to more robust and predictive frameworks that are attuned to the diversity of implementation environments globally.

Justification of Scientific Relevance

The study of policy implementation has produced an impressive array of determinant frameworks and models, yet there are limitations. Early frameworks, including those of Sabatier and Mazmanian (1980) and subsequent models (e.g., Alexander 1985; Goggin 1986; Winter 2012), offer valuable structures but often lack systematic integration of contextual dimensions (deLeon, 1999; Pülzl & Treib, 2007). Recent advances, like Bullock et al.'s (2021) determinant framework, have enhanced comprehensiveness but still miss the contextual nuance critical to predicting implementation outcomes across different settings. Matland’s (1995) ambiguity/conflict model is one of the few examples of contextually informed frameworks, providing a parsimonious, adaptable approach. However, significant potential remains for expanding contingent theories that incorporate complex, multi-dimensional contexts. By focusing on context as an integral factor, this panel aims to address a recognized gap in the literature and offer insights into when, where, and why certain explanatory factors take precedence in the implementation process.

This panel invites papers that address various aspects of policy implementation, with a focus on the drivers of implementation success and failure. We welcome empirical, theoretical, and methodological contributions that explore context-sensitive implementation or enhance the field’s understanding of key drivers. This panel is open to both on-site and virtual participation to encourage diverse perspectives and cross-regional insights. Papers may address, but are not limited to, the following questions and topics:

1. Determinants in Action: How do specific determinants, such as stakeholder engagement or regulatory clarity, affect implementation outcomes across different policy fields (e.g., health, education, environmental policy)?
2. Contextual Contingency: What role do political, administrative, or cultural contexts play in determining the relative importance of particular implementation determinants?
3. Frameworks and Models for Context: How can existing implementation frameworks be adapted or modified to incorporate contextual variables? Are new frameworks needed?
4. Evaluating Implementation Success in Varied Settings: What metrics or methods are most effective for assessing implementation success across diverse contexts?
5. Comparative Case Studies: What can cross-national or inter-regional case studies reveal about context-sensitive determinants and implementation outcomes?
6. Administrative Capacity and Resource Dependence: How do variations in administrative capacity and resources impact the role of determinants like policy complexity and public support?
7. Policy Ambiguity and Conflict Revisited: Building on Matland’s (1995) ambiguity/conflict model, are there new dimensions of ambiguity and conflict that warrant exploration?
8. Implementation Pathways and Adaptations: How do implementation pathways vary based on contextual factors, and what are effective strategies for adaptation?
9. Policy Learning and Adaptation Mechanisms: In what ways do contextual challenges stimulate policy learning, and how can adaptation mechanisms be theorized?
10. Sectoral or Geographic-Specific Drivers: Which determinants are particularly salient within specific sectors (e.g., environmental policy) or regions, and how can this inform context-sensitive policy design?

This panel encourages submissions that leverage both established theories and innovative methodologies to deepen our understanding of context-dependent policy implementation. We look forward to papers that push the field forward in identifying adaptable, evidence-based strategies to meet the complex demands of policy implementation in diverse environments.