MEGA-POLICY

Formulation and Implementation of Mega-Policy



Formulation and Implementation of Mega-Policy

Introduction

It has been observed that policy implementation is one of the major problems confronting aviation. The focus of this paper will be on UK aviation policy. Policy implementation refers to the activities that are carried out in the light of established policies. It refers to the process of converting financial, material, technical and human inputs into outputs - goods and services (Egonmwan, 2004). Edwards (2008) defines policy implementation as a stage of mega-policy making between the establishment of a policy (such as the passage of a legislative act, the issuing of an executive order, or the promulgation of a regulatory rule) and the consequences of the mega-policy for the people whom it affects. It also involves a wide variety of actions such as issuing and enforcing directives, disbursing funds, making loans, assigning and hiring personnel.

Analysis

Policy implementation problem occurs when the desired result on the target beneficiaries is not achieved. Such problem is not restricted only to the aviation. Wherever and whenever the basic critical factors that are very crucial to implementing policy are missing, there is bound to be implementation problem. These critical factors are communication, resources, dispositions or attitudes, and bureaucratic structure (Edwards III, 2008). The four factors operate simultaneously and they interact with each other to aid or hinder mega-policy implementation. By implication, therefore, the implementation of every policy is a dynamic process, which involves the interaction of many variables as would be discussed below.

Where implementation orders are clear, consistent and accurately transmitted, the absence of adequate resources will result in implementation problems. Resources include both the human and material such as adequate number of staff who are well equipped to carry out the implementation, relevant and adequate information on implementation process, the authority to ensure that policies are carried out as they are intended, and facilities such as land, equipment, buildings, etc. as may be deemed necessary for the successful implementation of the mega-policy. In addition to communication and resources, disposition or attitude is another key factor that affects mega-policy implementation. Most implementors can exercise considerable discretion in the implementation of policies because of either their independence from their nominal superiors who formulate the policies or as a result of the complexity of the mega-policy itself. The way the implementors exercise their discretion depends, to a large extent, on their disposition toward the mega-policy. Therefore the level of ...