Procedural policy tools in theory and practice

ABSTRACT Policy tools are a critical part of policy-making, providing the ‘means’ by which policy ‘ends’ achieved. Knowledge their different origin, nature and capabilities is vital for understanding formulation decision-making, they have been subject inquiry in many policy-related disciplines sector-specific studies. Yet crucial aspects remain unexplored. Existing studies on used tend to focus ‘substantive’ – those directly affect outcomes such as regulation or subsidies largely neglect ‘procedural’ indirectly but significantly processes outcomes. A key aim this special issue fill knowledge gap field. This article introduces establishing that procedural play more determining role public policy-making than generally acknowledged deserve systematic into workings, impact process organization delivery private goods services.