A Qualitative Analysis of Factors Affecting Public Policy Implementation with an Emphasis on Participatory Governance and Institutional Capacity: A Case Study of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Afghanistan

Naseer  Ahmad Sharaf; Mojtaba Kazemi Rahbar; Samaneh  Mehdizadeh Farsangi

Authors

Naseer Ahmad Sharaf Ph.D. Student, Department of Public Administration, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5112-4297
Mojtaba Kazemi Rahbar Department of Public Administration, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1364-8610
Samaneh Mehdizadeh Farsangi Department of Public Administration, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0313-2004

Keywords:

public policy, participatory governance, institutional capacity, public policy implementation, policy gap

Abstract

The present study aimed to qualitatively analyze the factors affecting public policy implementation, with an emphasis on participatory governance and institutional capacity, in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Afghanistan. This applied study employed an exploratory qualitative approach, and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews with experts in public administration and public policymaking. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that public policy implementation in this ministry is confronted with a set of multidimensional challenges, including weaknesses in the organizational structure, shortages of financial and human resources, managerial system inefficiencies, weak institutional communication, a policy–implementation gap, and cultural resistance to change. Among these factors, participatory governance and institutional capacity were identified as the central and determining components. The results indicate that limited stakeholder participation, the absence of sustainable institutional mechanisms, and weak interaction between the government and civil society have reduced policy effectiveness. Furthermore, resource constraints, inadequate technological infrastructure, and an ineffective monitoring system have seriously limited the organization’s implementation capacity. The findings demonstrate that participatory governance and institutional capacity interact with each other and play a fundamental role in successful policy implementation, while the absence of either may result in public policy inefficiency. Consequently, improving policy implementation requires the simultaneous strengthening of participatory mechanisms, enhancement of institutional capacity, and reform of administrative and managerial structures. The proposed conceptual model may provide an appropriate framework for analyzing and improving public policy implementation processes in similar contexts.

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