Analyzing the Concept of Public Policy Instrument Mix and Its Design Criteria Using the Meta-synthesis Method

Objective Today, public policy instruments are widely recognized as one of the key components of governance systems. A major challenge in policy design lies in selecting appropriate policy instruments or their combinations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explain the concept of policy instrument mix and identify the criteria for its design. This research seeks to address a gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of how policy instrument mixes can be effectively designed and implemented to achieve policy goals. By focusing on this issue, the study contributes to the broader discourse on governance and policymaking, offering practical insights for both policymakers and researchers. Methods This qualitative research was conducted using the meta-synthesis method. Meta-synthesis is a systematic approach that integrates the scattered findings of previous studies to construct a new conceptual framework. The statistical population of this study consists of existing research studies, which were identified through an extensive search of available sources. These sources were evaluated based on their titles, abstracts, and content, and relevant ones were selected as research samples. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze and synthesize the data, enabling the reporting of the study’s final results. This method ensures a rigorous and structured approach to understanding the complexities of policy instrument mixes, facilitating deeper exploration of the topic. Results The findings indicate that the literature includes three types of instrument selection theories, each offering different criteria for choosing policy tools. In recent years, the theory of policy instrument mixes has gained considerable attention, advocating for the use of a combination of instruments to achieve policy objectives. This approach illustrates that relying on a single instrument is insufficient to meet complex policy goals. However, the results also reveal a lack of consensus among researchers regarding the precise definition of a policy instrument mix and the criteria for its design. Designing an effective mix of public policy instruments is a complex task that requires consideration of multiple criteria and both internal and external factors. The most important criteria identified for designing policy instrument mixes include efficiency, effectiveness, feasibility, equity, consistency, and coherence among instruments. These criteria ensure that the mix is balanced and capable of addressing the multifaceted nature of policy challenges. Conclusion To achieve effective policies, it is essential to employ policy instrument mixes and consider their design criteria in a comprehensive and systematic manner. This approach can enhance policy performance and reduce challenges related to implementation. By reviewing a broad spectrum of literature on instrument selection and presenting new theoretical advancements, this study aims to fill a critical gap in the domestic literature. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, emphasizing the need for a holistic and integrated approach to policy design. Ultimately, the study offers a deeper understanding of how strategically designed policy instrument mixes can strengthen governance and support the achievement of desired policy outcomes. The implications of this research extend beyond theory, offering practical guidance for designing and implementing public policies across diverse contexts.