Influence of policy networks on policy process outcomes in road transport sector within Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Ombagi, Cornelius N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta university
Abstract
Policy networks approach has gained prominence among scholars. This is due to myriad complex problems in public policy processes and management. Many policies are designed and implemented without meaningful participation of citizens, particularly through the informal institutions of policy networks. The study population consisted of 470 policy networks of formal and informal institutions, managers, members of legislative committees and frontline staff in the road transport sector within the Nairobi City County, Kenya. Mixed methods research design with explanatory sequential design was used to examine the quantitative and qualitative aspects on the influence of policy networks on policy process outcomes. The study was guided by five research questions. This study applied multiple streams, advocacy coalition, complex, and policy network theories. The theories enhanced understanding on causal mechanisms for the variables. A pilot study was conducted with sample of 10% to test validity and reliability of research instruments. The validity and reliability of the Likert scale items was tested using Cronbach alpha of 0.70. Purposive sampling was used to select 453 respondents. A roaster was generated using snowballing techniques in the identification of key respondents. The study used semis-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observation schedules, diary and focused group discussions to collect primary data and document analysis of road transport sector policy documents from 1973 to 2021. A total of 407 participated in the survey. Of this, 307 responded in the survey translating to a response rate of 75.43% for quantitative data. Similarly, 42 responded providing qualitative data. This translates to a response rate of 93.33%, which comprised of indepth interviews with 20 key informants, two focused group discussion with 13 and 10 respondents. Detailed descriptions on processes and triangulation of the qualitative data with document and content analysis ensured credibility and trustworthiness of the study. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine effects of independent variables on the dependent variables. Further, Social Network Analysis (SNA) was conducted to provide clarity structural features of influencing policy network types. Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) analysis was conducted and results were corroborated with those for SNA. The R2 and p-values were used for test significance and make inference while F-models test goodness of fit. In addition, diagnostic test was conducted on multiple regression analysis. Findings show that policy network legitimacy (70.1%), policy network collaboration (56.1%) and policy network type (53.5%) have positive and significant influence on road transport sector policy process outcomes. Further, policy network managers’ role had 43.4% and policy network individual actors’ characteristics had 33.9% positively contributed to influence policy process outcome. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya (GoK) should: Support both formal and informal policy network types to ensure that diversity and inclusivity is optimally balanced through an engagement framework for all policy networks in the road transport sector policy process;. At the same time, the political leadership should provide goodwill and commitment to policy networks in the road transport sector policy process within Nairobi City County while policy network managers demonstrate role by deploying a variety of roles and strategies with adaptability in response to the road transport sector policy process within Nairobi City County
Description
A thesis submitted to the school of law, arts and social sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy in public policy and management of Kenyatta University, April, 2023
Keywords
policy networks, policy process outcomes, road transport, Nairobi City County, Kenya