Presenting a Framework of Effective Factors on the Implementation of Policies in the Field of Protection and Exploitation of Forests in the North of the Country

Objective
Environmental protection in Iranian law is designated as a public duty, reflecting its critical importance. The complex, cross-sectoral, and multi-dimensional nature of environmental protection mandates that this responsibility be shared broadly across various sectors. Consequently, the task of safeguarding the environment should not be limited to a single organization or entity. Effective fulfillment of this essential duty requires the establishment of specific, coercive legal mechanisms that clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of different institutions involved in this area. Currently, in our country, the government predominantly handles forest management decision-making. This process tends to focus on technical solutions and relies on a top-down decision-making approach, which often overlooks the valuable insights and experiences of local beneficiaries. However, contemporary global trends in forest management are increasingly embracing a more comprehensive understanding, recognizing the limitations of past approaches. These trends now emphasize strategies that focus on participatory management, integrating multiple objectives to address the diverse needs of stakeholders. The implementation phase is a critical component of the public policy cycle, which includes formulation, implementation, and evaluation. It is during implementation that the true intent of policymakers becomes evident and operational. Given the rising importance of environmental issues in recent decades, this research centers on a vital objective: to present a framework that identifies and analyzes the effective factors influencing the implementation of policies aimed at the protection and sustainable exploitation of forests in the northern regions of Iran.
Methods
This research employed a rigorous mixed-methods approach to ensure comprehensive analysis. In the qualitative section, the study utilized thematic analysis to convert raw codes into discernible patterns, offering deeper insights into the subject matter. The quantitative portion of the research employed the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) model, a well-established tool that allows for the examination of the significance of each index and facilitates the ranking of these indices based on their relevance and impact. The research adopted a sequential or successive method for targeted sampling, ensuring that the sample accurately reflected the population of interest. In the qualitative section, the study engaged 14 experts with substantial experience in the field, achieving theoretical saturation after conducting in-depth interviews with 12 of these participants. For the quantitative analysis, the IPA model determined that a sample size of 16 participants was sufficient to yield meaningful results, ensuring robust conclusions.
Results
The analysis of the collected data yielded a substantial amount of valuable information. Specifically, 473 open codes (representing initial concepts) were identified, which were further distilled into 390 basic themes. These basic themes were then organized into 56 organizing themes, which were ultimately consolidated into 10 overarching themes. These overarching themes are crucial for understanding the implementation of policies in the environmental sector and include: environmental responsibility, scientific forest management, management of organizational resources, prioritization of environmental issues, improvement of the quality of environmental policymaking, coordination between executive bodies and legislative frameworks, eco-oriented development, the design of effective toolkits, the role of street-level bureaucrats, and the importance of citizen participation. The quantitative analysis, utilizing the importance-performance approach, highlighted several key components. It was found that the roles of street-level bureaucrats, the active participation of citizens, the design and implementation of toolkits, eco-oriented development strategies, and effective problem-solving mechanisms are the main components that must be prioritized in both policy-making and implementation processes to achieve successful outcomes.
Conclusion
The successful implementation of environmental policies is contingent upon the coordinated and synchronized actions of all relevant stakeholders, operating across various spatial and temporal scales. This coordination must involve a well-structured network comprising different levels of government, research institutions, operational organizations, and other relevant entities. To facilitate this process, the development and enforcement of effective legal frameworks and institutional arrangements are imperative. A specialized institution may be necessary to oversee and manage these coordinated efforts. Furthermore, a cooperative strategy, which emphasizes the active participation of all stakeholders and actors connected to the issue, has been identified as a particularly effective approach. This cooperative strategy is especially relevant in the context of forest governance, where the complexities of environmental, social, and economic factors intersect. By fostering collaboration and ensuring that all voices are heard, this approach can lead to more sustainable and effective management of forest resources.