Coproduction in Health Planning: Challenging the Need for “Open” Policy-Making Processes

ABSTRACT

In this article, the coproduction of local health plans in two heavily polluted “hot spots” in Belgium is explored. First, the results of the processes are examined, focusing on idea generation, policy impacts, participant relationships, support for the policy, and the strength of the partnership. Next, the process rules are analyzed, and the extent to which “open” rules (i.e., early, intensive, and broad public involvement in policy making) contributed to good results is examined. Findings indicate that good results were achieved in both cases, but those results do not seem to be related to the overall “openness” of the process.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaboration
• coproduction
• policy support
• process rules