Policy implementation is operational
This paper argues that policy implementation must be understood as a fundamentally operational process, not merely the execution of policy intent. It proposes a framework centered on four core dimensions of implementation: activation cost, option value, kinetics, and negotiation. Drawing on the case...
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| Formato: | Artículo preliminar |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
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International Food Policy Research Institute
2025
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| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177337 |
| _version_ | 1855542389005877248 |
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| author | Omamo, Steven Were |
| author_browse | Omamo, Steven Were |
| author_facet | Omamo, Steven Were |
| author_sort | Omamo, Steven Were |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | This paper argues that policy implementation must be understood as a fundamentally operational process, not merely the execution of policy intent. It proposes a framework centered on four core dimensions of implementation: activation cost, option value, kinetics, and negotiation. Drawing on the case of the World Food Programme’s 2008 Cash and Voucher Policy, the paper shows that implementing a policy requires building physical and institutional systems, creating delivery capacity, managing uncertainty, and preserving strategic flexibility. The case is not about cash transfers as such, but about what it took—organizationally, technically, and politically—for the World Food Programme to move from a policy decision to sustained, system wide operational capability and delivery. The paper concludes that successful policy implementation depends on treating implementation itself as the central frontier of policy action—requiring investment, learning, negotiation, and time. Several implications emerge for researchers, practitioners, and investors seeking to close the gap between policy on paper and policy in action. |
| format | Artículo preliminar |
| id | CGSpace177337 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | International Food Policy Research Institute |
| publisherStr | International Food Policy Research Institute |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1773372025-11-06T07:25:11Z Policy implementation is operational Omamo, Steven Were policies costs capacity development development implementation This paper argues that policy implementation must be understood as a fundamentally operational process, not merely the execution of policy intent. It proposes a framework centered on four core dimensions of implementation: activation cost, option value, kinetics, and negotiation. Drawing on the case of the World Food Programme’s 2008 Cash and Voucher Policy, the paper shows that implementing a policy requires building physical and institutional systems, creating delivery capacity, managing uncertainty, and preserving strategic flexibility. The case is not about cash transfers as such, but about what it took—organizationally, technically, and politically—for the World Food Programme to move from a policy decision to sustained, system wide operational capability and delivery. The paper concludes that successful policy implementation depends on treating implementation itself as the central frontier of policy action—requiring investment, learning, negotiation, and time. Several implications emerge for researchers, practitioners, and investors seeking to close the gap between policy on paper and policy in action. 2025-10-24 2025-10-24T17:14:05Z 2025-10-24T17:14:05Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177337 en https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175784 Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Omamo, Steven Were. 2025. Policy implementation is operational. IFPRI Discussion Paper 2368. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. |
| spellingShingle | policies costs capacity development development implementation Omamo, Steven Were Policy implementation is operational |
| title | Policy implementation is operational |
| title_full | Policy implementation is operational |
| title_fullStr | Policy implementation is operational |
| title_full_unstemmed | Policy implementation is operational |
| title_short | Policy implementation is operational |
| title_sort | policy implementation is operational |
| topic | policies costs capacity development development implementation |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177337 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT omamostevenwere policyimplementationisoperational |