CALL FOR PAPERS Policy Studies Journal Forthcoming special issue entitled, “Exploring the Theoretical Nexus between Public Policy and Public Management” Co-Editors: Edella Schlager, Craig Smith, Chris Weible, and Andrew Whitford




The complexity in the study of policy, politics, and government necessitates a partitioning to develop common languages and shared research agendas.  One of these partitions can be found  between the fields of public management and public policy where the subjects are often taught in different classes from the undergraduate to graduate levels, where journals often focus on one field or the other, and where clustering of social networks among scholars are mostly within field with fewer cross-field links.  While the benefits of partitioning in generating a productive research trajectory are substantial, it limits opportunities for shared learning and collaboration.



The Policy Studies Journal is proudly soliciting proposals for a forthcoming special issue entitled, “Exploring the Theoretical Nexus between Public Policy and Management.”  This special issue works from a basic assumption that, while the partition between public policy and public management is essential for developing  research agendas, the partition is equally artificial; that many of the puzzles found in public policy and public management overlap; and that  lessons can be learned from both fields to advance each other.  
The purpose of this special issue is to focus on the theoretical nexus between public policy and management.  Scholars with a passion for understanding both fields and an interest in exploring and engaging with the overlapping puzzles and insights are invited to contribute to this special issue.  Proposed contributions should aim to meet the following criteria:



(1)    The manuscript must be theory focused; the choice of theory is open.
(2)    The manuscript may focus on either both fields with an emphasis on overlapping theoretical puzzles and insights or with an emphasis on drawing lessons and insights from one field for the other.
(3)    Manuscripts are strongly encouraged to focus on themes that span both public management and public policy including, but not limited to, democracy, performance and outcomes, power, politics, decision making, implementation, capacity, leadership and entrepreneurs, or others.
(4)    Manuscripts must show the potential for a substantial contribution to the theoretical development and future research agendas in the study of public policy and management.
Finally, we are willing to entertain manuscripts that address the theoretical nexus of public policy and public management in ways we have yet to imagine.
Interested contributors are encouraged to submit a 500 word abstract by March 15, 2014.  Invited contributors will be expected to provide and present a paper at a workshop at the University of Arizona in the fall of 2014 (funding provided) with formal submissions to the Policy Studies Journal in the beginning of 2015.  All papers will be subject to the peer review process, invitation to contribute is not a guarantee that the paper will be accepted for publication.  Expected date of publication is at the end of 2015 or beginning of 2016.



If you are interested in submitting a paper, please send your questions to the policystudiesjournal@gmail.com
Sincerely,



Chris Weible, Editor
Policy Studies Journal