Multiple Streams Framework and Performance Agreement Policy Adoption in Ghana

ABSTRACT Research on the multiple streams framework (MSF) has expanded rapidly over the past four decades, yet few studies directly explore public management issues. Focusing on performance agreement policy, we address this gap by answering the research question: To what extent can the MSF explain the adoption of performance agreement policy in Ghana's Civil Service? The data were obtained from thirty‐six (36) senior and mid‐level civil servants in summer 2018 and fall 2022. A semi‐structured protocol was employed to collect the data, using purposive and snowball sampling. Atlas.ti and the constant comparison technique were used to analyze the data via theory‐testing process tracing. The findings support the MSF's theoretical postulations, but with some nuances. For instance, rather than statistical indicators, subjective evaluations of poor performance in the civil service functioned as indicators in the problem stream. Additionally, international actors engaged actively in discussions leading to the adoption of the performance agreement policy, while also providing financial resources. The lessons from these findings and their contributions to MSF research are discussed.