Public Service Personnel Policies:
Impact on Policy Implementation Related Performance
Abstract deadline: August 1st 2008
Notification of accepted proposals: September 1st 2008
Draft Paper Deadline: October 15th 2008
Invitation
The principles and tools implemented in light of public sector reforms suggest that the empowerment of employees is crucial to obtain better policy adoption or implementation results. Implementation has always been problematic and contentious in public policy mainly because of the gap between decision makers intent and the capacity of those in charge of carrying it out: in this case public servants. In the past, civil servants have often been seen as inefficient, ineffective and over-bureaucratized professionals negatively contributing to public sector performance. Consequently, and since responding to these issues has become paramount for creating a body of more professional and effective public officials, many governments have introduced new personnel policies. However, the nature and direction of human resource management strategies and the extent to which the impacts of these policies contribute to shifts in policy implementation productivity and performance of individuals and public agencies, are largely debated.
To address these issues, we welcome papers that discuss how governments have been tackling public personnel policies and related public sector performance.
Some possible, but by no means exhaustive, topics or themes on which submissions might focus include:
- Cross-country analyses of public personnel policies and their intent;
- HRM: strategies and their impacts on policy implementation or adoption;
- Public personnel policies and reforms to innovate HRM strategies and improve policy implementation performance;
- Policy instruments for enhancing professionalism and impact on carrying out policies;
- Problems and prospects in public personnel administration and their relation to policy making;
- Efficacy of public personnel reform efforts and their public policy related tests of efficacy;
- Innovation in public personnel policies – what can be learned for other public policy contexts.
Selection
The criteria for selection is quality and fit to the subject matter. The articles submitted must be in line with the Aims and Scope of the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. While not all papers should be comparisons among countries, for instance, they must explicitly lend themselves to lesson-drawing. Once accepted by the special issue editor, all submitted papers will be externally refereed according to the JCPA’s blind-fold standard procedures.
Submission
An abstract of no more than 500 words, must be submitted to the special issue editor by August 1st 2008. An answer will be provided by September 1st 2008. The article drafts should be around 4,000-5,000 words and their format must follow the JCPA guidelines. They will be submitted to the special issue editor by October 15, 2008.
Guest Editor:
Dr. Greta Nasi, Assistant Professor, Bocconi University, Milan
Private Higher Education and Public Policy Around the World: Influences & Implications
Abstract Dealine: 1 July, 2007
Notification of Accepted Proposals: 7 August, 2007
Draft Paper Deadline: 30 Jan, 2008
Invitation:
The growth of private higher education has been spectacular in much of the world. A reasonable estimate puts the private share of all postsecondary enrollments worldwide at 30 percent. This special issue will explore the reasons for that growth, the role of public policies or lack thereof in it, as well as the patterns produced, considering linkages with broader privatization and marketization trends across policy domains.
The volume will shed light on factors accounting for variation in private sector growth over time and across countries, the role public policies have played, and the effects of the private rise on public higher education and public-private interactions and dynamics. Authors will explore what types of policy instruments are employed, why, and their impacts. Legalization, licensing requirements, ongoing regulation, quality assurance, information-based policies, and targeted subsidies are among the many pertinent public policy options. Finally, what are the challenges facing policymakers and what pertinent policy analysis is being done or is needed?
Selection
Criteria for selection will be quality and fit to the subject matter. Submissions should use and build upon both the private higher education and the public policy literatures. A volume goal is coverage of Africa, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Comparative cross-country analyses are welcome. Any non-U.S. pieces focusing on a single country should deal with that country in a context of patterns in its geographical region. All submitted papers will be externally refereed according to JCPA’s standard procedures.
Submissions
Six to possibly eight submissions will be chosen. Each must no more than 4000 words and the drafts should be between 3000 and 3500, allowing for subsequent additions based on the referee reviews. Format must correspond to the JCPA guidelines. Abstracts (no more than 500 words) of proposed papers should be submitted to both guest editors by 1 July 2007.
Guest Editors:
Dr. Daniel Levy, Distinguished Professor of Educational Administration & Policy Studies, SUNY at Albany
Comparative Healthcare Policies
Abstract Deadline: 3 March 2007
Paper Deadline: 10 April 2007
Invitation:
A Special Issue on Healthcare Policies is edited by Professor Ted Marmor of Yale University. The papers will first be presented and reviewed at the 4th ICPA-Forum Workshop, April 26 - 28, 2007, at the School of Public Management, Yale.
Guest Editor:
Dr. Theodore Marmor, Professor of Public Policy & Management, Yale School of Management
Building Policy Capability in the Public Sector
Abstract Deadline: 15 June 2006
Paper Deadline: 15 September 2006
Invitation:
The Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis is preparing a special issue on ”Building Policy Capability in the Public Sector.” Advisory systems in many countries are modifying existing policy practices as they respond to new governance arrangements and other changes to the policy environment. Governments have responded with new methods, approaches and strategies and raised issues as to the comparative advantage which public sector advisers can bring to their role, relative to others. The editors invite you to submit a paper for this special issue which will be reviewed according to the Journals’ normal blind fold procedures. Papers should be no more than 6,000 words. Priority will be given to articles which report on practices in two or more jurisdictions or address theories and experiences which are globally applicable. Accepted proposals will be presented and discussed at the 3rd ICPA-Forum Workshop at the Australian National University. The Workshop will take place on November 28-29, 2006. It is hoped that this will facilitate the subsequent reviewing process and publication of the special issue.
Guest Editors:
Dr. Claudia Scott, Professor of Public Policy, Victoria Wellington University, New Zealand
Dr. John Wanna, ANZSOG Foundation Professor, Australian National University