In the last decade, the theoretical framework of Evidence Based Policy Making has been used as a basis to set up many policy making processes. However, it has also been criticized by scholars and practitioners for its... [ view full abstract ]
In the last decade, the theoretical framework of Evidence Based Policy Making has been used as a basis to set up many policy making processes. However, it has also been criticized by scholars and practitioners for its positivist approach (which comes from its origin in Evidence Based Medicine) which is not always coherent with the specificities of the public realm. Many arguments pointed out that the result of a policy making process is influenced by several variables: presenting evidences and basing decisions upon them, is often not enough to achieve better and positive outputs and outcomes in the public sector.
The aim of our research is to verify whether an evidence based policy making process followed by a knowledge management process can help in leading to effective results in terms of setting priorities and in influencing contents of strategic planning at the local level.
In order to answer the research question (can a knowledge management process foster and support evidence based policy making and with which results?), we focused on the social care sector, using a case study on the policy making process in the biggest Italian Region (Lombardia, about 10 million inhabitants, biggest GDP of the Country and recognized as one of the most innovative concerning welfare). We studied the regional planning process, starting from 2012, when guidelines for the 2012-2014 period were defined. We analyze the content of planning documents at the local level produced in 2012 and 2014 in order to understand if the knowledge management process adopted by the regional level in the meanwhile had some positive impact. We measure possible positive impacts in terms of how much of the priorities selected by the Region during the policy making process were actually adopted by the local level in the strategic documents produced in the following planning periods.
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