Analytical frameworks for policy implementation in the water sector; advantages and limitations

Aslani, Somaye; Kamali, Yayha; Mianabadi, Hojjat

doi:10.22059/jppolicy.2026.414372.2889

Analytical frameworks for policy implementation in the water sector; advantages and limitations

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

somaye Aslani ¹

Yayha Kamali ²

Hojjat Mianabadi ³

¹ M.Sc. in Water Resources Management and Planning, Department of Water Management and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran

² Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Water Engineering and Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Vardavard, Tehran

10.22059/jppolicy.2026.414372.2889

Abstract

Currently, analyzing policy implementation issues is essential for improving and addressing execution barriers and challenges. In the water sector, the presence of numerous variables in implementation studies has led to researcher confusion, theoretical entanglement, and reduced effectiveness in some analyses. To address this gap, the present study employs a systematic literature review to identify analytical frameworks for examining policy implementation challenges specific to the water domain. The findings reveal that three theoretical frameworks are particularly relevant for analyzing water policy implementation issues. These frameworks can assist in examining stakeholder relationships, understanding the attitudes of citizens and government officials toward water policies, and identifying interactions arising from socio-ecological systems, political and economic power distributions, and the responses of policy actors.

Keywords

Implementation research

implementation analysis

street-level bureaucrats

water law analysis

MOTA

Subjects