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First published online August 25, 2015

‘And the rest is implementation.’ Comparing approaches to what happens in policy processes beyond Great Expectations

Peter L Hupe [email protected] and Michael J HillView all authors and affiliations
Volume 31, Issue 2
https://doi.org/10.1177/0952076715598828

Abstract

Implementation occurs as a ‘late’ part in the stages model of the policy process. As such, it is seen as following upon and subordinate to the preceding stages of agenda-setting and policy formation. Hence, implementation is often addressed as ‘the rest’. This view on implementation as a presupposed residual in goal achievement implies little attention to ‘political’ dimensions, like ambiguity and conflict. Therefore, the view can only partially explain the – sometimes disappointing – results of policy processes. Alternatively, approaches to the policy/implementation nexus with an explicit focus on what happens at the street level have a greater explanatory potential. They are not taking implementation for granted as a seemingly technical matter, simply prescribed by policy objectives.

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Published In

Volume 31, Issue 2
Pages: 103 - 121
Article first published online: August 25, 2015
Issue published: April 2016

Keywords

  1. Implementation
  2. policy implementation
  3. public policy
  4. public policy process
  5. policy formation
  6. policy formulation

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Authors

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Peter L Hupe
Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
[email protected]
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Michael J Hill
University of Brighton, UK
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Notes

Peter L Hupe, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, Room M8-08, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected]

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