Dubnick, Melvin J. “Coordinating Environmental Regulation: Program Responses to a Multifaceted Problem.” Research proposal, Department of Public Administration, University of Kansas, 1982.
Abstract: This research proposal addresses a particularly problematic aspect of government regulation: the coordination of regulatory policy implementation. While most analyses of government regulations concentrate on their formulation and legitimation in the policymaking process, little systematic attention is given to their “delivery” through public sector programs. The proposal argues that coordination problems play a central role in many regulatory programs throughout the country, and presents a typology of coordination problems organized along two dimensions: the nature of the complaint (overlapping jurisdictions, duplication of agency efforts, contradictory policy objectives, lack of central guidance) and the level of program operation (intra-agency, interagency, intergovernmental). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposed as the primary site for case studies examining motor vehicle pollution control, noise pollution control, effluent pollution control, and hazardous waste disposal.
AI_Generated Summary
The document discusses the complexities of coordinating environmental regulatory programs, emphasizing empirical research to improve policy effectiveness.
Background and Regulatory Debate
- The debate centers on whether regulation is necessary, given its inefficiencies and negative spillover effects.
- Some argue all regulation is ineffective and advocate for elimination, while others believe reform is possible without complete deregulation.
- Past structural reforms have failed to improve regulation significantly, highlighting the need for better policy-relevant knowledge.
- Empirical studies show political and institutional factors greatly influence regulatory agency operations.
Importance of Coordination in Regulatory Programs
- Coordination issues are central to regulatory program delivery, which is often decentralized and fragmented.
- Fragmentation results from federal structures and political pluralism, complicating policy implementation.
- Coordination problems have worsened over decades, with little systematic analysis of reform efforts’ effectiveness.
- Research can help understand how agencies address coordination challenges and improve policy delivery.
Typology of Coordination Problems
- Coordination issues are categorized based on complaint types and operational levels.
- Complaints include overlapping jurisdictions, duplication of efforts, contradictory objectives, and lack of central guidance.
- Problems occur within agencies (intra-agency), between agencies (interagency), and across government levels (intergovernmental).
- Each problem type has specific causes and implications for regulatory efficiency.
Framework for Analyzing Coordination
- A typological matrix helps classify coordination problems and assess reform strategies.
- Case studies will explore how agencies handle these issues, using organizational management theories.
- Key questions include identifying problems, mechanisms used, their structure, and factors influencing mechanism choice.
- The goal is to develop empirically supported, prescriptive models for improving regulatory coordination.
Case Study Approach and Selection
- The study focuses on four EPA programs: motor vehicle, noise, effluent, and hazardous waste regulation.
- EPA is chosen for its importance, complexity, and availability of information.
- Case studies will describe, explain, and assess coordination arrangements to generate generalizable insights.
- Findings aim to inform better policy design and coordination strategies in environmental regulation.