Boundary work to what end? Analysing the acid mine drainage case in Gauteng, South Africa

Nikki Funke, Dave Huitema and Arthur Petersen

Science and Public Policy, 2024, vol. 51, issue 3, 393-405

Abstract: This article contributes a boundary work analysis of the case of acid mine drainage (AMD) in South Africa to the existing boundary work literature. We conduct our analysis by applying a synthesized multi-level boundary work framework to examine whether the knowledge that was produced during the boundary work conducted was usable and influential in decision-making and resulted in successful policy implementation. We conclude that contrary to expectations, a closed, technocratic boundary work process resulted in the relatively successful implementation of a short-term intervention in the AMD problem, whereas a subsequent open and deliberative process did not result in the successful implementation of the long-term policy solution. We ascribe this finding to the influence of critical enabling and constraining factors characterizing the South African socio-political context within which the AMD issue is situated, and therefore, we recommend adding a meta-analytical layer to boundary work analyses, especially in developing country contexts.

Keywords: boundary work; science–policy interface; acid mine drainage; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oup:scippl:v:51:y:2024:i:3:p:393-405.

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