DCE 3701

1. Lecture 3 & 4 DCE 3701

2. This week….. • The Role of Policy • The Process of Policy-Making

3. The Role of Policy • In general, policy plays very important role in assisting developmental changes within a stable environment and a flexible structure. • It helps the government to plan, implement and evaluate all national programs in a more systematic and continuous manner.

4. Roles of Policy

5. The Role of Policy • To guide our actions and path in order to reach the identified objective

6. Example: • The National Social Policy guide government as well as governmental agencies to come up with decisions, activities, programs, campaigns etc that help to achieve unity and social stability; harmony and prosperity.

7. Example • Campaign Using Advertisements 'Even Kids Know IT'

8. Satu Malaysia…

9. The Role of Policy • As a direction for all parties to move on to similar objective

10. The Role of Policy • As the basic factor that gears all government activities

11. POLICY ACTIVITIES PROGRAMS CAMPAIGNS FUNCTIONS OF RELATIVE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES

12. The Role of Policy • Ties (bonds) and guides various functions, expertise, professionals, administrative procedures and budget.

13. Example • Establishment of policy on 84 days of maternity leave include involvement from gender researchers, political analyst, governmental administrators, politicians, corporate sectors, interest groups etc in order to come up with a very effective and stable policy

14. The Role of Policy • Helps to establish new government agencies in order to coordinate the implementation of certain policies.

15. Example • Unit Hal Ehwal Wanita (HAWA): To ensure coordination in each states for more effective program implementations with regards to women development at all levels.

16. The Role of Policy • Provide the mechanism and opportunity for all stakeholders to involve themselves in the making and implementation of the policy.

17. ‘Policy-making is all about the systematic process in order to forecast and create a better future’ (First, 1993) The Process of Policy-Making

18. 2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.. • WHO MADE THE POLICY? • HOW IS THE POLICY MADE?

19. WHO MADE THE POLICY? • A person with power to influence or determine policies and practices. THE POLICY-MAKER

20. WHO MADE THE POLICY? • It could involve those from different and various levels : Individual Group or Community Organization Government

21. WHO MADE THE POLICY INDIVIDUAL • Collect data • Identify important issue to oneself • Acknowledge the issue or problem • Think of policy alternatives • Choose the most appropriate policy • Identify and delegate the • sources for policy implementation

22. Example • Informal policy by individual: no rule policy recyle policy tidiness policy

23. WHO MADE THE POLICY Group Usually, the context is to solve various problems that affect the interactions among group members

24. Example Policy (Discussion Group) -Objective: A -Such policy guides member activities such as reading in advance, having debates, using photographic memory as memorization techniques etc… in order to ensure smooth and effective Interactions among the members during the conduct of the discussion group.

25. WHO MADE THE POLICY • ORGANIZATION • Identification of problem by Board of Directors • Collection of data by the designated staff/committee • To decide and select the agenda or issue • Discussion at the Board level • Votes by Board of Directors

26. Example: IT Company Problem: When expatriates go back to their home country for annual leaves, they always extend the leaves. It affects the the running of projects. Data collection: The HR manager conducted survey in order to find out the cause/s of the leave extension.

27. Presented the result to the Board of Directors • Presented alternatives of solution to such problem. • The Board of Directors voted on the policy which they thought would be effective in solving the issue.

28. WHO MADE THE POLICY GOVERNMENT • Identification of issues by government executives • A review by legal executives • Recommendation of policies • Publicized for public response and feedbacks • Preparation of final draft • Documentation of the policy

29. Example: 84 days of Maternity Leave Issue: • Statistics: 563,000 out of 1.3 million public servants are women.10% or 24,300 of those between the age 18-39 gave birth every year. • Unmarried women executives; divorce rate among young career women; long-term health of Malaysian new generations.

30. Recommended Policy Recommended Policy • 84 days (12 weeks) of maternity leave (rather than 60 days)-based on meetings and discussions with ‘Ketua Persekutuan Majikan-Majikan Malaysia (MEF)’ and company CEOs. • Nearly 80% of countries throughout the globe have practiced the 12 weeks or more maternity leave policy.

31. Publicized for public response and feedbacks (by media etc). 60 days are too short compared to the international standard of maternity leaves agreed in Convention of Maternity Protection in year 2000 (min.14 weeks). A SENATOR

32. No…! Its too long… It would be difficult to find replacements , especially if the woman staff is highly specialized in certain critical area. It could also affect the staff’s productivity EMPLOYERS

33. Outcome.. • Government agreed to extend unpaid maternity leave from 90 days to max.5 years. • Objective: To ensure quality early education

34. Feedbacks from Various Stakeholders… Opposition Parties CUEPECS Employers

35. Surat Pekeliling Bil. 5 Tahun 2009…

36. Not necessarily the implemented policy on maternity leave could solve the problems of work-life quality imbalance, andartu, long-term health of new generation etc. • Takes a very long process….2005 -2009.. • Huge budget: More researches, conventions etc

37. Important Considerationsin Policy-Making (Lindbloom, 1993) Mistakes could happen: As long as humans are involved in the process of policy-making, mistakes could take place. Not a definite solution: It is not up to one policy alone to settle an issue or conflict or interest.

38. The process is slow and involves huge amount of money. Besides conflicts among various parties, there is also competition from other recommended policies that require time and attention. Resources are also needed to study the issue.

39. Important Considerations from the Leadership Perspective (Azahari, 1994) • The policy framework is critical in ensuring the effectiveness of organizational functions and activities. • Policies are usually developed in the state of conflict. • There is dynamic interactions between policy environment and practice of the policy itself. • A clear vision is very helpful especially when conditions become instable.

40. Important Considerations from the Leadership Perspective (Azahari, 1994) • The success of a policy depends on the scope and support towards the policy. • Without political influence or interventions, a policy is seldom effective. • Policy implementation is actually a matter of negotiation and adaptation.

41. Important Considerations from the Leadership Perspective (Azahari, 1994) • Public’s opinion and perception is very influential upon the establishment of a policy. • Behind the existence of a policy, there is always a history and political influence.

42. Important Considerations in Policy-Making (Lindbloom, 1993) • Would not be able to identify which problem or issue that need to be solved. • There is always an exclusion (pengecualian)