Provide a Framework for the Application of Open Policy Making in Parliament of Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D., Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

2 Associate Prof., Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Economic, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

3 Associate Prof., Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

4 Prof., Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Objective
Open policy making represents an innovative and modern approach for governments to create and deliver policies that are effectively aligned with the rapid changes and evolving demands of a fast-paced, digital world. This approach is emerging as a vital and progressive methodology in the field of government administration, particularly in the era of information technology and global connectivity. The anticipated outcomes of adopting open policy making are manifold. They include achieving more optimal policy adoption through collaborative efforts, garnering robust stakeholder support for the implementation of desired policies, enhancing access to critical data for both elites and the general public, significantly increasing public participation in the policy-making process, and substantially boosting public trust in governing institutions, such as the Shura Council. Within this framework, the current research is specifically focused on developing a comprehensive open policy framework tailored for the Parliament of Iran, aiming to modernize and improve its policy-making processes
Methods
This research is grounded in the interpretative paradigm of the philosophical foundations of research and is applied in nature. It utilizes a mixed-methods approach for data collection. The target population encompasses all scientific experts in public policy (including faculty members of universities and research institutions with expertise in decision-making and public policy) and executive experts (including current and former members of the Parliament). Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews, library research, and literature review for the qualitative part, and questionnaires for the quantitative part. Using snowball sampling, 22 exploratory and in-depth interviews were conducted with scientific and executive public policy experts. In the quantitative phase, 44 individuals were selected through stratified probability sampling. Grounded theory and Maxqda10 software were used for data analysis in the qualitative part, while the structural equation modeling approach was applied in the quantitative part.
Results
Data analysis identified the general dimensions and preconditions of the open policy model, along with the components and elements constituting its main dimensions, including understanding the problem, developing solutions, compiling, and evaluating. Quantitative findings demonstrate the positive and significant effect of transparency, a key dimension of open policy, on problem understanding, solution development, formulation, and evaluation. Similarly, public participation significantly impacts problem understanding, solution development, formulation, and evaluation. The results also highlight the direct and meaningful impact of cooperation, another general dimension of open policy, on these aspects. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that understanding the problem positively and significantly affects solution development, which in turn influences formulation and evaluation.
Conclusion
Given the fundamental principles of transparency, participation, and cooperation, the implementation of the open policy model is essential and highly beneficial for strengthening the overall performance of the Parliament. By embracing this model, the Parliament can significantly enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its legal roles, while also fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach in its governance. This adoption not only aids in decision-making processes but also ensures greater accountability and public engagement.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
Abdul Hosseinzadeh, M., Sanai, M., & Zulfiqarzadeh, M.M. (2017). The concept of open Government data policy and explain the advantages and benefits of the different policy fields. Strategic Studies of public policy, 7(22), 55-74. (in Persian)
Alvani, S. M., Pourezzat, A. A. & Nejabat, A. (2015). Investigating the causes of Iran’s policy making system performance inefficiency regarding poverty eradication (Case study: Poverty eradication bill in Islamic Republic of Iran). Journal of Public Administration, 7(1), 1-18. (in Persian)
Alwani, S.M. (2012). Public policy and implementation. Law and Expediency Quarterly, 1(1), 45-58. (in Persian)
Anderson, J. E., Moyer, J. & Chichirau, G. (2022). Public policymaking. Cengage Learning.‏
Berhanu, K. Z. (2023). Practices, challenges, and prospects of implementing School-Based Management (SBM) system in Ethiopian schools: Implications for policy makers. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 8(2), 465-504.‏
Creswell, J. W., Fetters, M. D. & Ivankova, N. V. (2004). Designing a mixed methods study in primary care. The Annals of Family Medicine, 2(1), 7-12.‏
Danaeifard, H., Azar, A. & Shirzadi, M. (2012). A Framework for Identifying National Policymaker’s Qualifications (Members of Parliament). Majlis and Rahbord, 19(70), 5-35. (in Persian)
Danaeifard, H., Shokri, Z., Kheyrgu, M. & Fani, A.A. (2018). How to evaluate the quality of public policies in Iran: Exploration’s Mixed Methodology Research. Public Organizations Management, 6(2), 79-94. (in Persian)
Danaeifard, H., Thaghafi, E. & Moshbaki, A. (2011). Public Policy Implementation: Explaining the Role of Rationality in Policy Formulation. Management Research in Iran, 14(4), 79-106. (in Persian)
Davoudi, H. R., bakhshayesh, A. & arabiyan, A. (2020). The role and place of the Islamic Council in good governance. Political Studies Quarterly, 12(48), 43-59. (in Persian)
Dye, T. R. (2013). Understanding public policy. Pearson.‏
Ebrahimi, S. A. & Eynali, M. (2019). Developing a Framework to Explain the Public Policies Capture Using Thematic Analysis and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Journal of Public Administration, 11(3), 403-430. (in Persian)
Edwards III, G. C., Mayer, K. R. & Wayne, S. J. (2022). Presidential leadership: Politics and policy making. Rowman & Littlefield.‏
Estermann, B. (2018). Development paths towards open government–an empirical analysis among heritage institutions. Government Information Quarterly, 35(4), 599-612.
Faria, C. & Rehbein, M. (2016). Open parliament policy applied to the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. The Journal of Legislative Studies, 22(4), 559-578.
Gao, Y., Janssen, M. & Zhang, C. (2023). Understanding the evolution of open government data research: towards open data sustainability and smartness. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 89(1), 59-75.‏
Gholipour, R., Hemdi, M. & Monsourzadeh, S. (2019). Presenting an Open Policy making Frame work in Transportation Technology Using GT Method. Journal of Transportation Research, 16(1), 137-150. (in Persian)
Hosseinpour, D., Sharifzadeh, F., Noori, R. & Karimyan, O. (2018). Developing a Framework to Monitor the General Policies Adopted by the Iranian Parliament. Majlis and Rahbord, 25(94), 369-392. (in Persian)
Howlett, M. & Newman, J. (2010). Policy analysis and policy work in federal systems: Policy advice and its contribution to evidence-based policy-making in multi-level governance systems. Policy and Society, 29(2), 123-136.‏
Kassen, M. (2022). Blockchain and e-government innovation: Automation of public information processes. Information Systems, 103, 101862.‏
Kvale, S. (1996). The 1,000-page question. Qualitative inquiry, 2(3), 275-284.‏
Kwaligonza, H. B. (2009). The constraints to constitutionalism in enabling parliament to promote good governance in Uganda, 1986-2006.‏
Lathrop, D. & Ruma, L. (2010). Open government: Collaboration, transparency, and participation in practice. O'Reilly Media, Inc.‏
Meijer, A. J., Curtin, D. & Hillebrandt, M. (2012). Open government: connecting vision and voice. International review of administrative sciences, 78(1), 10-29.
MemarzadehTehran, G., Mir Sapasi, N. & Jalili, S. (2011). A New Model for Evaluation of the Iran’s Public Policies Implementation in the Health and Treatment Sector. Public Policy in Administration, 2(4), 19-31. (in Persian)
Mitozo, I. & Marques, F. P. J. (2019). Context Matters! Looking Beyond Platform Structure to Understand Citizen Deliberation on Brazil's Portal e‐Democracia. Policy & Internet, 11(3), 370-390.
Momen Kashani, N., Rahnavard, F., Mortazavi, M. & Shirazi, M. (2020). A model for measuring the willingness of policy makers to open government in Iran. Public Administration Perspaective, 11(2), 35-64. (in Persian)
Nosoohi, M., Etebarian, A., Hadi Paykani, M. & Ebrahimzadeh, R. (2021). Design an Open Policy-Making Model. Public Policy in Administration, 12(41), 179-194. (in Persian)
Noveck, B. S., Harvey, R. & Dinesh, A. (2019). The Open Policy Making Playbook. Collective Intelligence and Governing Series, GOVLAB, APRIL 2019.
Nugroho, R. P., Zuiderwijk, A., Janssen, M., & de, J. M. (2015). A comparison of national open data policies: lessons learned. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 9 (3), 286-308.
Open Knowledge Foundation (2010). The open data handbook. Cambridge England Open Knowledge Foundation.
Osman, F. A. (2002). Public policy making: theories and their implications in developing countries. Asian affairs, 24(3), 37-52.‏
Pelizzo, R., & Stapenhurst, R. (2007). The role of parliament in promoting good governance in Africa. Available at SSRN 2101133.‏
Policy Lab (2014). About Open Policy Making. Available at: https://openpolicy.blog.gov.uk/what-is-open-policy-making
Pourezzat, A. A. & Raheimian, A. (2012). Title: Public Policy necessities for administration of complex and different cities (Case study: Tehran). Journal of Public Administration, 4(10), 25-44. (in Persian)
Public Administration Select Committee. (2013). Public engagement in policy-making. Second Report of Session, 14.‏
Ranjbar, H., Haghdoost, A., Salsali, M., Khoshdel, A., Soleimani, M., & Bahrami, N. (2012). Sampling in qualitative research: A Guide for beginning, Annals of Military and Health Sciences Research, 10(3), 238-250. (in Persian)
Rao, A. R., Garai, S., Dey, S. & Peng, H. (2021). PIKS: A Technique to Identify Actionable Trends for Policy-Makers through Open Healthcare Data. SN Computer Science, 2(6), 1-22.‏
Sanaei, M., Taslimi, M. S., AbdolhoseinZadeh, M., & Khani, M. H. (2019). A Study and Analysis of the Open Government Data Ecosystem Models. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management, 34(2), 609-636. (in Persian)
Shepherd, E., Bunn, J., Flinn, A., Lomas, E., Sexton, A., Brimble, S. & Page, J. (2019). Open government data: critical information management perspectives. Records Management Journal, 29(1/2), 152-167.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qualitative sociology, 13(1), 3-21.
Zeinaloo, M., Aliahmadi, A., & Nariman, S. (2022). Presenting a Performance Model for the Iranian Parliament by Meta-synthesis. Journal of Public Administration, 14(1), 74-108. (in Persian)
Journal of Public Administration
Volume 16, Issue 1
2024
Pages 80-113

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics