Enhancing research utilization for integrated water management

Water-related research is often performed at significantly lower levels of integration than policymaking for integrated water management. This may limit its utilization in policymaking. Nevertheless, an analysis of strategic policymaking for water management in The Netherlands shows that policy research still has a considerable impact on policy. This is largely due to the integrative intermediary role of policy analysis. (Policy research is the acquisition of knowledge concerning a policy problem. Policy analysis is the appraisal of alternative policies.) However, policy analysis for water management is often restricted to the natural sciences and engineering. An additional input of administrative science may contribute to resolve the current problems in implementation of integrated water policies. Factors of concern in this respect are elaborated.