Can the dual identity of policy entrepreneur and policy implementer promote successful policy adoption? Vertical greening policymaking in Shanghai, China

ABSTRACT

Both policy entrepreneur and policy implementer play critical roles in the policy process. Little attention has been devoted to how the identity overlap may influence policy change. This paper addresses this gap using a case-study approach and explores the vertical-greening policymaking in Shanghai (1992–2016), China. Three conclusions are advanced. The identity of policy implementer prompts entrepreneurial tactics to remove the implementation barriers. The discrepancy in perception of the policy-goal ambiguity between the policy implementer and policymaker may compromise policy adoption. The dual identity does not prevent the policy entrepreneur from accepting compromises in order to have the policy passed.

KEYWORDS:

• Policy entrepreneur
• policy implementer
• dual role
• vertical greening policy
• Shanghai
• China

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Ecosystem Science Center and the Great Lake Research Center of Michigan Technological University.

Notes on contributors

Hongmei Lu

Hongmei Lu [email protected] PhD candidate, Environmental and Energy Policy Program, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, USA.

Senior engineer of Shanghai Academy of Landscape Architecture Science and Planning, Shanghai, China.

Audrey L. Mayer

Audrey L. Mayer [email protected] Professor of Ecology and Environmental Policy, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, USA. Audrey’s research interests include landscape ecology, conservation biology, sustainability science, and environmental policy.

Adam M. Wellstead

Adam M. Wellstead [email protected] Associate Professor of Public Policy, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, USA. Adam’s research interests include Canadian energy and environmental policy, climate change adaptation, policy innovation labs, policy capacity and policy design.

Shan Zhou

Shan Zhou [email protected] Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, USA. Shan’s research focuses on policy analysis and social equity issues related to sustainability, resilient technology, and urban development.