Bridging Public Policy Theory and Practice in an Age of Complexity: A Synthesis of Policy Design, Capacity, Evidence, Collaboration, and Digital Transformation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/mjst.v3i8.309Keywords:
Public Policy, Policy Design, Policy Capacity, Policy Integration, Collaborative Governance, Evidence-Informed Policy, Policy Evaluation, Policy Learning, Digital Transformation, IndonesiaAbstract
This article looks at how contemporary public policy theory can be linked more practically to government practices in an environment characterized by complex problems, cross-sector connections, evidence-based demands, and digital transformation. Using a critical and thematic qualitative literature review, the article synthesizes reputable journal articles since 2020 on policy design and instruments, policy capacity, integration and collaboration, the use of knowledge and evaluation, as well as data governance and artificial intelligence. The synthesis results show that policy effectiveness can't be explained by a single theory or a linear policy cycle. It's more accurate to understand effectiveness as the result of interactions between how well the design fits the problem, analytical-operational-political capacity, cross-organizational coordination, legitimacy and stakeholder inclusion, learning mechanisms, and the quality of data governance and technology. Indonesian literature shows that analytical capacity, the role of knowledge intermediaries, and multilevel coordination are critical points that determine whether a policy design can be translated into adaptive implementation. This article offers a synthesis framework that positions theory as a tool for diagnosis and design, while practice is seen as an arena for adaptation, negotiation, learning, and correction. The implication is that strengthening public policy should focus on a mix of capacity, integration, evidence, collaboration, and digital governance, rather than choosing a single policy model separately
References
Ansell, C., Doberstein, C., Henderson, H., Siddiki, S., & ’t Hart, P. (2020). Understanding inclusion in collaborative governance: A mixed methods approach. Policy and Society, 39(4), 570-591. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1785726
Bali, A. S., & Halpin, D. (2021). Agenda-setting instruments: Means and strategies for the management of policy demands. Policy and Society, 40(3), 333-344. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955489
Bali, A. S., Howlett, M., Lewis, J. M., & Ramesh, M. (2021). Procedural policy tools in theory and practice. Policy and Society, 40(3), 295-311. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1965379
Bodó, B., & Janssen, H. (2022). Maintaining trust in a technologized public sector. Policy and Society, 41(3), 414-429. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puac019
Boin, A., & ’t Hart, P. (2022). From crisis to reform? Exploring three post-COVID pathways. Policy and Society, 41(1), 13-24. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puab007
Bundi, P., & Trein, P. (2022). Evaluation use and learning in public policy. Policy Sciences, 55, 283-309. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09462-6
Capano, G., & Howlett, M. (2020). The knowns and unknowns of policy instrument analysis: Policy tools and the current research agenda on policy mixes. SAGE Open, 10(1), 1-13. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019900568
Capano, G., & Malandrino, A. (2022). Mapping the use of knowledge in policymaking: Barriers and facilitators from a subjectivist perspective (1990-2020). Policy Sciences, 55, 399-428. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09468-0
Capano, G., Howlett, M., Jarvis, D. S. L., Ramesh, M., & Goyal, N. (2020). Mobilizing policy (in)capacity to fight COVID-19: Understanding variations in state responses. Policy and Society, 39(3), 285-308. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1787628
Cejudo, G. M., & Trein, P. (2023). Pathways to policy integration: A subsystem approach. Policy Sciences, 56, 9-27. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09483-1
Clifton, J., & Pal, L. A. (2022). The policy dilemmas of blockchain. Policy and Society, 41(3), 321-327. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puac025
de Vries, S. (2021). The power of procedural policy tools at the local level: Australian local governments contributing to policy change for major projects. Policy and Society, 40(3), 414-430. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955471
Demircioglu, M. A., & Vivona, R. (2021). Positioning public procurement as a procedural tool for innovation: An empirical study. Policy and Society, 40(3), 379-396. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955465
Dimitropoulos, G. (2022). The use of blockchain by international organizations: Effectiveness and legitimacy. Policy and Society, 41(3), 328-342. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puab021
Domorenok, E., & Zito, A. R. (2021). Engines of learning? Policy instruments, cities and climate governance. Policy Sciences, 54, 507-528. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-021-09431-5
Domorenok, E., Graziano, P. R., & Polverari, L. (2021a). Introduction: Policy integration and institutional capacity: Theoretical, conceptual and empirical challenges. Policy and Society, 40(1), 1-18. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1902058
Domorenok, E., Graziano, P. R., & Polverari, L. (2021b). Policy integration, policy design and administrative capacities: Evidence from EU cohesion policy. Policy and Society, 40(1), 58-78. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1930697
Douglas, S., Ansell, C., Parker, C. F., Sørensen, E., ’t Hart, P., & Torfing, J. (2020a). Understanding collaboration: Introducing the Collaborative Governance Case Databank. Policy and Society, 39(4), 495-509. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1794425
Douglas, S., Berthod, O., Groenleer, M., & Nederhand, J. (2020b). Pathways to collaborative performance: Examining the different combinations of conditions under which collaborations are successful. Policy and Society, 39(4), 638-658. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1769275
Fatonie, I. (2022). The role of Indonesian think tanks as policy entrepreneurs in policy development of village governance. Journal of Asian Public Policy, 15(3), 500-516. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/17516234.2020.1829354
Fawcett, P. (2021). Metagovernance of migration policy in the Asia Pacific region: An analysis of policy tools. Policy and Society, 40(3), 431-447. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955486
Ferry, M. (2021). Pulling things together: Regional policy coordination approaches and drivers in Europe. Policy and Society, 40(1), 37-57. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1934985
Gesk, T. S., & Leyer, M. (2022). Artificial intelligence in public services: When and why citizens accept its usage. Government Information Quarterly, 39(3), 101704. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101704
Hannah, A. (2021). Procedural tools and pension reform in the long run: The case of Sweden. Policy and Society, 40(3), 362-378. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955487
Jaakkola, E. (2020). Designing conceptual articles: Four approaches. AMS Review, 10, 18-26. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13162-020-00161-0
Janssen, M., Brous, P., Estevez, E., Barbosa, L. S., & Janowski, T. (2020). Data governance: Organizing data for trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), 101493. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101493
Knill, C., & Steinebach, Y. (2022). What has happened and what has not happened due to the coronavirus disease pandemic: A systemic perspective on policy change. Policy and Society, 41(1), 25-39. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puab008
Kolkman, D. (2020). The usefulness of algorithmic models in policy making. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), 101488. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101488
Kraus, S., Breier, M., Lim, W. M., Dabić, M., Kumar, S., Kanbach, D., Mukherjee, D., Corvello, V., Piñeiro-Chousa, J., Liguori, E., Palacios-Marqués, D., Schiavone, F., Ferraris, A., Fernandes, C., & Ferreira, J. J. (2022). Literature reviews as independent studies: Guidelines for academic practice. Review of Managerial Science, 16, 2577-2595. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-022-00588-8
Kurniawan, R. C., Faedlulloh, D., Warganegara, A., & Hermawan, D. (2023). Multilevel dynamic governance in dealing with crisis: The case of handling coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in Lampung Province, Indonesia. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1), 2222574. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2222574
Lambelet, S. (2023). Unintended policy integration through entrepreneurship at the implementation stage. Policy Sciences, 56, 161-189. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-023-09492-8
Lewis, J. M., Nguyen, P., & Considine, M. (2021). Are policy tools and governance modes coupled? Analysing welfare-to-work reform at the frontline. Policy and Society, 40(3), 397-413. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1975217
Maggetti, M., & Trein, P. (2021). More is less: Partisan ideology, changes of government, and policy integration reforms in the UK. Policy and Society, 40(1), 79-98. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1908673
Maggetti, M., & Trein, P. (2022). Policy integration, problem-solving, and the coronavirus disease crisis: Lessons for policy design. Policy and Society, 41(1), 53-67. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puab010
Mardiyanta, A., & Wijaya, C. N. (2023). Policy capacity during COVID-19 in Asia: A systematic literature review. Journal of Public Affairs, 23(1), e2835. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2835
Mintrom, M., & True, J. (2022). COVID-19 as a policy window: Policy entrepreneurs responding to violence against women. Policy and Society, 41(1), 143-154. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puab017
Molenveld, A., Verhoest, K., & Wynen, J. (2021). Why public organizations contribute to crosscutting policy programs: The role of structure, culture, and ministerial control. Policy Sciences, 54, 123-154. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-020-09379-y
Mukherjee, I. (2021). Rethinking the procedural in policy instrument compounds: A renewable energy policy perspective. Policy and Society, 40(3), 312-332. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955488
Newman, J., Patmisari, E., & Widianingsih, I. (2022). Policy analytical capacity and Eastern styles of policy analysis: Evidence from West Java Province, Indonesia. Policy Sciences, 55(3), 469-485. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09470-6
Parker, C. F., Nohrstedt, D., Baird, J., Hermansson, H., Rubin, O., & Bækkeskov, E. (2020). Collaborative crisis management: A plausibility probe of core assumptions. Policy and Society, 39(4), 510-529. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1767337
Paul, J., & Criado, A. R. (2020). The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know? International Business Review, 29(4), 101717. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101717
Pettrachin, A., & Hadj Abdou, L. (2024). Beyond evidence-based policymaking? Exploring knowledge formation and source effects in US migration policymaking. Policy Sciences, 57, 3-28. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-024-09523-y
Polman, D., & Alons, G. (2021). Reap what you sow: Implementing agencies as strategic actors in policy feedback dynamics. Policy Sciences, 54, 823-848. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-021-09436-0
Rietig, K., & Dupont, C. (2021). Presidential leadership styles and institutional capacity for climate policy integration in the European Commission. Policy and Society, 40(1), 19-36. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1936913
Rilling, B., & Tosun, J. (2021). Policy and political consequences of mandatory climate impact assessments: An explorative study of German cities and municipalities. Policy and Society, 40(1), 99-115. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1907901
Sarti, F. (2023). The policy integration game? Congruence of outputs and implementation in policy integration. Policy Sciences, 56, 141-160. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09488-w
Sørensen, E., Hendriks, C. M., Hertting, N., & Edelenbos, J. (2020). Political boundary spanning: Politicians at the interface between collaborative governance and representative democracy. Policy and Society, 39(4), 530-569. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1743526
Stark, A., & Yates, S. (2021). Public inquiries as procedural policy tools. Policy and Society, 40(3), 345-361. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1955485
Torfing, J., Cristofoli, D., Gloor, P. A., Meijer, A. J., & Trivellato, B. (2020). Taming the snake in paradise: Combining institutional design and leadership to enhance collaborative innovation. Policy and Society, 39(4), 592-616. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1794749
Ulibarri, N., Emerson, K., Imperial, M. T., Jager, N. W., Newig, J., & Weber, E. (2020). How does collaborative governance evolve? Insights from a medium-N case comparison. Policy and Society, 39(4), 617-637. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1769288
Valle-Cruz, D., Criado, J. I., Sandoval-Almazán, R., & Ruvalcaba-Gómez, E. (2020). Assessing the public policy-cycle framework in the age of artificial intelligence: From agenda-setting to policy evaluation. Government Information Quarterly, 37(4), 101509. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101509
van der Heijden, J. (2021). When opportunity backfires: Exploring the implementation of urban climate governance alternatives in three major US cities. Policy and Society, 40(1), 116-135. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2021.1934984
van Geet, M. T., Verweij, S., Busscher, T., & Arts, J. (2021). The importance of policy design fit for effectiveness: A qualitative comparative analysis of policy integration in regional transport planning. Policy Sciences, 54, 629-662. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-021-09429-z
van Noordt, C., & Misuraca, G. (2022). Artificial intelligence for the public sector: Results of landscaping the use of AI in government across the European Union. Government Information Quarterly, 39(3), 101714. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101714
von Lüpke, H., Leopold, L., & Tosun, J. (2023). Institutional coordination arrangements as elements of policy design spaces: Insights from climate policy. Policy Sciences, 56, 49-68. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09484-0
Zuiderwijk, A., Chen, Y.-C., & Salem, F. (2021). Implications of the use of artificial intelligence in public governance: A systematic literature review and a research agenda. Government Information Quarterly, 38(3), 101577. DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2021.101577
