Integrating research into policy sphere: evidence from Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This article explores lessons on integrating research evidence into policy through public-private dialogue for the purpose of enhancing evidence-based policy making. Based on a qualitative analysis of the engagement of researchers and policy actors in Tanzania, it is evident that collaborative arrangements of researchers, the private sector, media and policy makers promote the use of research findings in the policy-making process. Accordingly, we suggest a multi-disciplinary network of academia and policy actors as a tool to bring about effective utilisation of research findings in policy decisions.

KEYWORDS:

• Policy
• public-private dialogue
• policy networks
• advocacy coalition

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The Universities that have subscribed to the network are Mzumbe University (MU), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Moshi Cooperative University (MoCU), the University of Iringa (UoI) and St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT).

2. The policy cycle entails agenda setting, policy formulation, legitimation, implementation, evaluation and policy maintenance, succession or termination (Cairney 2012).

3. BEST-AC started operations in 2004 with the mandate to build the capacity of Tanzania’s private sector in advocacy and dialogue to influence the government to introduce policy and legislative reforms that will improve the business environment.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by BEST-Dialogue through the Centre for Policy Research and Advocacy, University of Dar es Salaam.

Notes on contributors

Goodluck Charles

Charles Goodluck is an Associate Professor at University of Dar es Salaam. His current research interests include entrepreneurship and private sector development, public-private dialogue, family business and microfinancing. His publications appear in Journal of African Business, International Journal of Public Sector Management, Forum for Development Studies, Business Management Review, African Journal of Economic and Business Studies, Journal of Education and Training, and International Journal of Development Issues. He is a member of editorial board of Journal of Education and Training and Family Business Review.