https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/21 2022-10-31T05:26:53Z https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/2868 Occasional Paper No. 02 of 2001 on Effective Private Sector Representation in Policy Formulation and Implementation This paper highlights some of the key issues concerning the role of interest groups in policy formulation, with particular reference to the private sector. It shows that economic interest groups, as opposed to other groups that primarily seek transfers from the government, are best positioned to advocate for pro-growth policies. The paper briefly touches on the various weaknesses of Africa's private sector that make it relatively ineffective in influencing policy. It outlines some key conditions that would be necessary if the private sector representation in policy process is to be effective. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/2841 Occasional Paper No. 05 of 2004 on Principles of Research In Section 1, I introduce the subject matter of research, with a theoretical discussion of characters in a research enterprise. I do a thought experiment that expels some characters and retains others. I introduce (also in an abstract way), the proper motive for research. I argue that research and research principles are an outcome of a mental activity called "thinking." Examples of principles are given from disciplines of economics and physics. In Section 2, Einstein's definition of thinking is given, with an elaboration. A distinction is made between the world of concepts and the world of experiences and feelings (the real world). A concept is transformed into a principle when it is shown to be in accordance with the world of experience. The first remark in the presentation is introduced. A remark is a summary of the main points of an argument; it also extends an argument without the necessity of details. A remark is different from a hypothesis, a theorem, a lemma, etc. A hypothesis is a prediction flowing from a concept, whose truth content is to be verified or falsified with data; a theorem is what is demonstrated to be logically true without data; lemmas are successive steps to a theorem. In Section 3, I deal with the difficult issues of basic and applied research. I explain the role of a policy analyst in the world of concepts and define research, giving examples. I show the complementarity between the work of a policy analyst and that of a theoretical researcher. Both types of researchers help to establish the bridge between the world of concepts and the world of experience. I argue that the bridge between the worlds of concepts and experience (consisting of principles and empirical regularities) is the proper foundation for public policy. Any policy without such a foundation is bound to fail or to be harmful, except in rare cases of luck. I restate principles of research. Principles of Research In Section 4, I conclude with a vision of research and contributions to policy-making at KIPPRA. In the references list, I show the reader the materials I consulted to prepare the presentation. It is hoped that the reader too will consult these original materials, both for curiosity and to extend or criticize the ideas in the presentation. 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/2839 Occasional Paper No. 06 of 2006 on State-Private Sector Nexus in National Wealth Creation: A Framework for Analysis and its Application to Kenya This study discusses a theoretical framework that is used to explore the interaction between the state and private sector. Three classes of businesses are identified, namely: makers or producers; traders/merchants or middlemen; and producers of financial services. Interactions between these three classes form a natural order in economics that can allow people to become wealthy without need for direction from the State. These three classes, together with the government, comprise a quartet that is key in national wealth creation. In terms of a national strategy for wealth creation, the businesses in the segments involved in 'production' are the strategic choice. However, there is no guarantee that government interventions or the institutional environment will favour this class of enterprises. Information on private sector and interactions with the Kenyan government is used to illustrate this framework. It is argued that despite market reforms some aspects of the institutional environment continue to favour those business classes in the distribution chain rather than the 'production' and is inimical to upgrading. Although the informal sector continues to receive wide policy attention, based on this framework, only about 30 percent would qualify for a strategic public policy; for the rest, the best the government can do is to concentrate on the fundamentals. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/2666 Occasional Paper No. 01 of 2001 on Strengthening the Link Between Policy Research and Implementation The specific purpose of this paper is to identify issues that can strengthen the link between policy research and implementation. This subject matter is the mind of many Africans, and especially in the minds of decision-makers and researchers. Many argue that African policy analysts have produced ‘good’ policy papers but they have been poorly implemented. For example, the Kenya policy process has for long lacked a strong link joining policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. This paper is presented in 12 sections1: section 1 presents the concept of the policy process including definitions of policy, research, policy analyst and researcher, policy maker and decision maker. Section 2 depicts the process of formulating policy. Section 3 presents problems in the policy process and section 4 the optimal process. The next seven sections present issues of policy failure or success that concern 5) marketing; 6) adequacy, accuracy and timely information in the policy process; 7) participation, control and consensus; 8) trust, cooperation commitment and acceptance; 9) proactive policy analysis and funding; 10) policy implementation dilemma, and 11) criteria for evaluation and monitoring policy. Section 12 is the summary and conclusion... 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/2573 Occasional Paper No. 03 of 2002 on Agriculture, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Reducing poverty is a primary focus of public policy in most developing countries, a fact that is underscored by the recent emphasis on the formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) by African governments, including our own1. This apparent rediscovery of poverty as a central policy issue is misleading as it gives the impression that previous national policies were not aimed at reducing poverty. It is actually the case that all previous development efforts in Kenya and other poor countries have had the ultimate goal of reducing poverty. In fact, in Kenya, we could say that Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism and its Application to Planning in Kenya (Republic of Kenya, 1965) was the first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper in Kenya. This Sessional Paper outlined fairly elaborate policies to fight “disease, poverty and ignorance” which are at the core of most PRSPs. Nevertheless, this recent emphasis on poverty reduction in our policy documents does highlight the seriousness of the problem, and the fact that the last few decades have been marked by a general increase in the extent and severity of poverty in developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa.. 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.kippra.or.ke/handle/123456789/2572 Occasional Paper No. 04 of 2002 on Post-Doha African Challenges in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement The World Trade Organization agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) present various challenges and opportunities for sub-Saharan African countries to expand international trade in their products. The main challenges for the SPS Agreement include capacity for participation in standards setting and implementation, protectionist use of the Agreement by developed countries, and high compliance costs for developing countries. The challenges arising from the TRIPS Agreement include counteracting the side effects arising from compulsory licenses and patent rights, use of geographical indications, and developing measures to cover traditional knowledge. Opportunities arising from SPS Agreement include investments in infrastructure and technical skills to improve competitiveness in trade of products from sub-Saharan Africa, while opportunities for the TRIPS Agreement include the need for impact assessment of the effects of TRIPS on industries as well as clarification of patenting needs for the region. These challenges need to be taken into account and opportunities exploited if sub- Saharan Africa countries are to benefit from trade liberalization and post-Doha negotiations. 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z