Analysis of Obstacles to the Implementation of National Environmental Strategies (Case Study: Clean Air Policy)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Faculty of Public Administration, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Master of Public Policy, Faculty of Public Administration, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

3 Ph.D. Condidate in Decision Making and Public Policy, Faculty of Public Administration, Allameh Tabataba’I University, Tehran, Iran

10.30473/ee.2025.70694.2715

Abstract

Different levels can be considered for public policy making. The strategic level of policy-making is considered to be the intersection of public policy and strategic management. Public policy in its process approach has general stages of formulation, implementation and evaluation. The implementation phase has received less attention than other phases. Environmental policies are considered to be one of the important issues of strategic level in various countries because they have wide-ranging effects on individual citizens and affect their health directly and over a long period of time. One of the most obvious environmental issues in the country is air pollution, which has had many negative effects in recent years. Laws have been formulated to eliminate and reduce air pollution, but they have not been fully implemented. The current research follows the why analysis and prioritization of the implementation obstacles of the clean air law as one of the most important environmental strategies through the use of a combined approach (first thematic analysis and then Dimtel technique). Theme analysis through interviews with environmental managers and experts of the country and finally data coding has led to the formation of 5 overarching themes (obstacles related to executives and managers, environmental, structural, hardware and infrastructure and defects in the nature of the law). Then, in order to level the obstacles to the implementation of the clean air policy, with the help of organizing themes, a paired comparison questionnaire has been formed. Finally, the obstacles to the implementation of the clean air policy are classified into two levels: high (effective obstacles) and low (effective obstacles).

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abedi Jafari, H, Taslimi, M, Faghihi, A, Sheikhzadeh, M. (2012). “Thematic Analysis and Thematic Networks: A Simple and Efficient Method for Exploring Patterns Embedded in Qualitative Data Municipalities”. Journal of Strategic management thought, 2(5), 151-198. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30497/smt.2011.163
Aghaei, G, Daneshfard, K, Memarzadeh, G. (2023). “Pathology of the Implementation System of Iran’s Social Welfare Policies”. Social Welfare Quarterly, 23(89), 339-383. [In Persian] https://doi.org/100.32598/refahj.23.89.4029.1
Ali, K, Md, A, Shaikh, A, Deb, A, Rashed-Ul-Islam, Md. (2018). “Challenges evaluation for adoption of SCP practices in footwear industry of Bangladesh: A DEMATEL approach”. Journal of Operations and Strategic Planning, 1(2), 168-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/2516600X18812984
Alipour, S. (2018). “Environmental laws and their implementation challenges (Comparative study of the laws of Iran and India)”. First National Conference of Human Science and Development. Tehran.
Alvani, M, & Sharifzadeh, F. (2017). Public Policy Making Process. Tehran: Allameh Tabatabai University Publications [In Persian]
Alvani, M. (2014). Public Policy-Making. Tehran: Samt Publication [In Persian]
Alvani, M, Peiqambarzadeh, M, Amirkabiri, A, Rabiee-Mandejin, M. (2021). “Introducing a Native Model to Ensure the Implementation of Air Pollution Prevention and Control Policies in Iran; Study Case: Tehran”. Majlis & Rahbord, 28 (105), 69-98 [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/mr.2021.436
Alvani, M, & Shalviri, M. (2015). Implementation of Public PolicyTheoritical Perspectives Practical Processes. Tehran: State Management Training Center [In Persian]
Aslipour, H, Zahedi, Sh, Sharifzadeh, F, Ghorbanizadeh, V. (2015). “Explanation of Indigenized Model for Environmental Policy Formulation in Iran, Using Grounded Theory”, Strategic Management Thought, 8(1), 41-66. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30497/smt.2015.1709
Attride-Stirling, J. (2001). “Thematic networks: an analytic tool for qualitative research”. Qualitative research, 1(3), 385-405. https://doi.org/10.1177/146879410100100307
Batsuuri, G. (2016). “Foreign Investment Policy Implementation Effectiveness: A Case Study from Mongolia”. Imperial journal of interdisciplinary research, 2(1), 309-320. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:55378628
Birkland, T. A. (2019). An introduction to the policy process: Theories, concepts, and models of public policy making. New York: Routledge
Bishoge, O.K, Zhang, L, Mushi, W.G. (2018). “Challenges facing the implementation of the national natural gas policy in Tanzania”, International Journal of Energy Sector Management, 13(3), 500-517. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-08-2018-0005
Boyatzis, R.E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. California: Sage Publications.
Busch, P. (2020). “Crafting or mass-producing decisions: Technology as professional or managerial imperative in public policy implementation”. Information Polity, 25(1), 111-128.    https://doi.org/10.3233/IP-190163
Chow, J, Liu, T, Du, C.D, Hu, R, Wu, X. (2025). “From research to policy recommendations: A scientometric case study of air quality management in the Greater Bay Area, China”, Environmental Science & Policy, 165, 104-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104025
Chowhan, Sushan, Islam, Majharul, Sultana, Razia. (2023). “Challenges and Problems In Implementing Policy in Bangladesh”, Scientific Journal of Research and Reviews, 3(5), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.33552/SJRR.2023.03.000572
Creswell, J.W.,Vicki, L, Plano, C. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Ohio: Sage publications.
Daneshfard, K. (2014). Basics of public policy. Tehran: Niaz-danesh Publication [In Persian]
Daneshfard, K. (2015). Basics of public policy. Tehran: Safar Publication [In Persian]
Ewalt, J, & Edward T. (2004). “Administration, governance, and policy tools in welfare policy implementation”. Public Administration Review, 64(4), 449-462. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3542494.
Givarian, H, & Rabiee-Mandejin, M. (2006). Decsion Making and Public Policy Determining. Tehran: Adineh Publication [In Persian]
Gholipour, R, Danaifard, H, Zarei-matin, H, Jandaghi, Gh, Falah, M. (2011). “Implementation of industrial policies (case study in Qom province)”. Organizational cultural management, 2(9), 103-130. [In Persian]          https://jomc.ut.ac.ir/article_29909.html?lang=en
Ghorbani Paji, A, Hosseinpoor, D, Alvani, S.M, Aslipour, H. (2024). “Presenting a Framework of Effective Factors on the Implementation of Policies in the Field of Protection and Exploitation of Forests in the North of the Country”. Journal of Public Administration, 16(4), 710-746. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22059/jipa.2024.371150.3460
Hajihashemi Esfarjani, Z, Alvani, S.M, Akhavan Alvani, H., Danaei Fard, H. (2019). Exploring the causes of policy making conflicts in the Environment and the Industry domains in Iran, Iranian Journal of Public Policy, 6(4), 89-109. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22059/jppolicy.2021.80482
Hawelet, M, & Ramesh, O. (2000). Public Policy Study. Translated by Monavarian, A; Golshan, E. Tehran: State Management Training Center [In Persian]
Hill, M, & Hupe, P. (2019). Implementing Public Policy: An Introduction to the Study of Operational Governance. Translated by Maadani, Javad, Khodai, Javad. Tehran: Azin Mehr Publication [In Persian]
Hogwood, B, & Lewis G. (1984). Chapter: Why ‘perfect implementation is unattainable. The policy process. London: Routledge
Iran Un (United Nations Islamic Republic of Iran). (2020). Air pollution kills 7m people every year – UN Chief.     https://iran.un.org/en/89925-air-pollution-kills-7m-people-every-year-%E2%80%93-un-chief
Kalaba, F. (2016). “Barriers to policy implementation and implications for Zambia's forest ecosystems”. Forest Policy and Economics, 69(1), 40-44.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2016.04.004
Kamara, F.B, Koroma, C, Duramany-Lakkoh, E. (2023). “Obstacle to Effective Financial Policy Implementation in the Local Government System in Sierra Leone”. International Journal of Development and Economic Sustainability, 11(2), 55-70. https://doi.org/10.37745/ijdes.13/vol11n25570
Kaushik, S, & Somvir, R. (2015). “Dematel: A Methodology for Research in Library and Information Science”. International Journal of Librarianship and Administration, 6(2), 179-185.   https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:26432729
Khawaja, S. (2013). Public policy: Formulation implementation analyses: Pakistan Focused. Islamabad: Khawaja Sarfraz Hussain.
Lin, Ch, & Wei-Wen, W. (2008). “A causal analytical method for group decision-making under fuzzy environment”. Expert Systems with Applications, 34(1), 205-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2006.08.012
Lindbloom, Ch. E. (1984). Policy making process. London: Pearson.
Madani, J, & Khodaee, N. (2022). Policy Implementation: Governance in theory and practice. Tehran: Azin Mehr
Matland, R.E. (1995). “Synthesizing the implementation literature: The ambiguity-conflict model of policy implementation”. Journal of public administration research and theory, 5(2), 145-174. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1181674?origin=JSTOR-pdf
Memarzadeh, Gh, & Shokri, N. (2007). “Providing a dynamic model for the implementation of public policies”. Journal of Government Management Mission, 2(4), 19-31. [In Persian]     http://noo.rs/3Uo6F
Shakuri F, M, Pamela Juma, G, Catherine, K. (2018). “Facilitators and barriers in the formulation and implementation of tobacco control policies in Kenya: a qualitative study”. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 960. https://doi.org/10,1186/s12889-018-5830-x
Novianto, F, Noor, Irwan, Indah Mindarti, Lely. (2018). “Renewable energy policy scenarios as implementation moderation of fuel subsidy policy in Indonesia”. Foresight, 20(5), 527-553. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-05-2018-0054
Onwuegbuzie, A.J, & Kathleen, C. (2007). “A typology of mixed methods sampling designs in social science research”. Qualitative Report, 12(2), 281-316. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2007.1638
Peyghambarzadeh, S.M, Alvani, S.M, Amirkabiri, A. Rabiee_Mondjin, M.R. (2021). “Introducing a Native Model to Ensure the Implementation of Air Pollution Prevention and Control Policies in Iran; Study Case: Tehran”, Majlis & Rahbord (MRC), 28(105), 69-98. https://doi.org/10.22034/mr.2021.436
Pourahmadi, M, Mokhtarianpour, H, Yasuri, T. (2018), “Pathology of the Implementation of Privatization Policies in Iran”. Journal of Public Administration, 3(1), 333-356. [In Persian]    https://doi.org/10.22059/jipa.2018.256015.2254
Phulkerd, S, Sacks, Gary, Vandevijvere, S, Worsley, A, Lawrence, M. (2017). “Barriers and potential facilitators to the implementation of government policies on front-of-pack food labeling and restriction of unhealthy food advertising in Thailand”, Food Policy, 71, 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2017.07.014
Rahimizadeh, Sh, Soltani, H, Mahmoudian Attaabadi, H, Razeghi, S, Shamsnia, S.A. (2025). “Presenting an effective causal model on the environmental policy based on green culture in the Jihad Agricultural Organization of Kohgiluyeh and Boir Ahmad provinces”, Journal of Modern Management Engineering, 11(4), 10-21. [In Persian]        https://srb.sanad.iau.ir/en/Article/1198663
Rajabbeigi, M (2000). “Obstacles to achieving the full implementation of public policies”. Journal of management and development, 3(13), 73-84. [In Persian]      http://jmdp.ir/article-1-299-fa.html
Rangriz, H, Kheirandish, M, Latifi J\liseh, S. (2018). “Exploring of Public Policies Implementation Obstacles in Governmental Organizations Using the Meta Synthesis Method”, Iranian Journal of Public Policy, 4(1), 123-138. https://doi.org/10.22059/ppolicy.2018.66852
Report of Air Quality Control Company (2025). Air Quality and Sound in Tehran. [In Persian] https://air.tehran.ir/
Report of Islamic Parliament Research Center of Islamic Republic of IRAN (2018). Cleaning Air Law. [In Persian] https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/1030618
Report of Islamic Parliament Research Center of Islamic Republic of IRAN (2018). Environmental consequences of air pollution. [In Persian]       https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/report/show/1836241
Sabatier, P. A. (1986). “Top-down and bottom-up approaches to implementation research: a critical analysis and suggested synthesis”. Journal of public policy. 6(1), 21-48. https:/doi.org/10.1017/S0143814X00003846
Sabatier, P, & Mazmanian, D. (Ed). (2008). Can Regulation Work?: The Implementation of the 1972 California Coastal Initiative. Californa: Springer.
Salehi-shahrabi, N. (2012). Pathology of the air pollution control policies of the studied city of Tehran: current municipal projects. MA thesis in Tehran University. Management Factualty [In Persian]
Shafritz, J.M. (2008). Introducing Public Policy. New York: Longman
Shahbeik, H, Heidari, M.j, Nozari Ferdisieh, M. (2021). “A legal Solution to Resolve the Conflicts of Interest in Implentation of Enviornmental Laws and Regulations”, Journal of Modern Research on Administrative Law, 4(10), 75-100. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/mral.2021.538916.1188
Silva, E. (2023). “The politics of policy implementation and reform: Chile's environmental impact assessment system”, The Extractive Industries and Society, 15(1), 150-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2023.101321
Sunder, Shyam. (2024). “Challenges in Implementing Environmental Laws and Policies in India”. An International Research Journal of Environmental Science, 8(3), 1249-1264.      https://doi.org/10.12944/CWE.18.3.27
Teddlie, C, & Tashakkori, Abbas. (2009). Foundations of mixed methods research: Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches in the social and behavioral sciences. London: Sage Publication
Trein, P, Biesbroek, R, Bolognesi, T, Cejudo, G, Duffy, R, Hustedt, T, Meyer, I. (2020). “Policy Coordination and Integration: A Research Agenda”. Public Administration Review, 81(5), 937-977.     https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13180
Tuokuu, F.X.D, Gruber, James S, Idemudia, U, Kayira, J. (2018), “Challenges and opportunities of environmental policy implementation: Empirical evidence from Ghana's gold mining sector”, Resources Policy, 59, 435-445.       https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2018.08.014
Van Meter, D.S, & Van Horn, C. (1975). “The policy implementation process: A conceptual framework”. Administration & Society, 6(4), 445-488. https://doi.org/10.1177/009539977500600404
Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development
Volume 14, Issue 2
January 2026
Pages 75-97

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics