ADMINISTRATIVE NETWORKS AND IMPLEMENTATION EFFECTIVENESS: INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL POLICY IN ITALY

A summary of a research project on the implementation of industrial air pollution control policy between 1970 & 1980 in northern Italy -- part of a broader comparative project involving seven European countries. Dependent variables include: the impact of public policy on air quality (9 municipalities were selected on the basis of availability of data on one specific pollutant, sulphur dioxide); & emitter behavior (among the different categories represented in the sample). Independent variables are the characteristics of the regulation processes (open or closed), the characteristics of the environmental agencies (especially in terms of relationships between themselves), & the strategies adopted by the agencies. A significant finding is that environmental agencies have concentrated on reducing pollution from existing sources (clean-up orders) rather than regulating new activities. Interviews (N not given) with both public authorities & regulated industries & examination of relevant documents show that clean-up processes seldom correspond to the prescribed national program. It is concluded that public policy has not played a significant role in improving air quality insofar as sulphur dioxide emissions are concerned, but has had a relevant impact on the behavior of emitters. Reasons for this are explained. 1 Figure. Modified AA.