Using the Delphi process to analyze social policy implementation: A post hoc case from vocational rehabilitation

Significant differences were found between the groups regarding the relative importance of possible legislative goals, suggesting that the failure of vocational rehabilitation policy to promote a work agenda may be attributed to a lack of consensus among policy implementors.

Abstract

This study uses a Policy Delphi to discern differences in perspective among and within groups responsible for formulating and implementing vocational rehabilitation policy. Four groups of players were chosen for our analysis: government officials, academics, directors of rehabilitation centers, and the staff who interface with program participants. Significant differences were found between the groups regarding the relative importance of possible legislative goals. This suggests that the failure of vocational rehabilitation policy to promote a work agenda may be attributed to a lack of consensus among policy implementors. The Delphi technique could help policy planners understand the different perspectives within the implementation community, and hence craft more realistic legislation.