Evaluating Policy Instrument Complexity with Causal Loop Diagrams

Gloria Crabolu; Xavier  Font; Sibel Eker

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2023)
Annual Review of Policy Design

Methods

Evaluating Policy Instrument Complexity with Causal Loop Diagrams

Published 2023-11-25

Gloria Crabolu
Xavier Font
Sibel Eker

How to Cite

Crabolu, G., Font, X., & Eker, S. (2023). Evaluating Policy Instrument Complexity with Causal Loop Diagrams. Annual Review of Policy Design, 11(1). Retrieved from https://ojs.unbc.ca/index.php/design/article/view/1941

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Abstract

Methods to capture the complexity of using policy instruments would allow us to better evaluate the reasons for their effectiveness. Drawing from complexity science, we produce a Causal Loop Diagram to analyse the implementation of two informational policy instruments in a tourism destination: the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria and the European Tourism Indicator Scheme. To interpret the emerging system structure, we use complexity theory concepts of emergence; interdependence and interconnectivity; co-evolution; self-organisation; feedback; historicity and path dependence. This qualitative methodology sheds light on the interplay of factors that facilitate and impede the continuous use of these policy instruments. It shows how adopting a complexity science approach to evaluation studies can be invaluable to making tourism policy interventions more impactful.

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