BIOPOLISTA - Bioeconomy Policy Implementation in Bioeconomy States

BIOPOLISTA addresses the lack of a comprehensive perspective on the implementation of bioeconomy policies adopted by emerging bioeconomy states to ensure the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. The project combines policy analysis approaches with the historical-institutionalist concept of the bioeconomy state to explain diverging patterns of policy implementation within and across countries with sizable bioeconomies. Conducting an in-depth comparative analysis, BIOPOLISTA analyzes the implementation of bioeconomy policy instruments in six countries, namely Colombia, Germany, Malaysia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The research is designed as follows: A systematic literature review serves to refine the conceptual and analytical framework. A desk-based document search and content analysis together with a field research preparation lay the groundwork for extensive fieldwork. Based on qualitative semi-structured interviews, the six case studies trace the implementation of six policy instruments and analyze the character and capacities of the bioeconomy state. Qualitative comparative analyses at multiple levels explain variation in implementation success and failure of instruments within and across countries. The findings are integrated and discussed to understand policy instrument implementation in the context of variations in emerging bioeconomy statehood. Lessons and guidelines for a successful bioeconomy policy implementation are developed and validated through workshops with experts and stakeholders.

The research group consists of two group co-leaders and four doctoral researchers supported by two student assistants, collaborates closely with scholars in all six case study countries, and is mentored by an advisory board made up of world-leading experts. BIOPOLISTA improves our understanding of bioeconomy policy implementation, stimulates cross-national policy learning, shapes transparent discussions on bioeconomy policy implementation and statehood in the policy-science-industry-society interface, and generates guidelines to enhance implementation success for policy makers and implementers, thereby contributing to the promotion of a sustainable bioeconomy transformation.