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Perceived Approaches to Abating Microplastic Pollution in Chicago-Area Waterways Edmund Uchechukwu Okoli Walden University

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Perceived Approaches to Abating Microplastic Pollution in Chicago-Area Waterways Edmund Uchechukwu Okoli Walden University View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2019 Perceived Approaches to Abating Microplastic Pollution in Chicago-Area Waterways Edmund Uchechukwu Okoli Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Edmund Okoli has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Karen Shafer, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Lori Demeter, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Ian Cole, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty The Office of the Provost Walden University 2019 Abstract Perceived Approaches to Abating Microplastic Pollution in Chicago-Area Waterways by Edmund Okoli MS, International Institute of Aerospace Survey, Enschede, Netherlands, 1991 BS, University of Nigeria Nsukka, 1978 Dissertation Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University September 2019 Abstract Microplastics have increased water pollution, particularly in urban areas like Chicago. The purpose of this study was to explore how conflicts of interests and belief systems among different stakeholders can impede efforts for developing or revising plastic pollution mitigating laws. The theoretical foundation was Sabatier’s advocacy coalition framework, which addresses public policies from the perspective of individual or organizational convictions. The research question addressed how policy makers can build coalitions among diverse stakeholders to formulate policies aimed at reducing microplastic pollution. A qualitative case study design included a document review and 12 semistructured interviews of participants drawn from 3 major different stakeholder groups. The interview data were transcribed, inductively coded and subjected to thematic analysis. The study showed universal stakeholder interest for the need for increased research on how microplastic pollution affects aquatic and human life. The results pointed to a moderate intensity of conflict among different stakeholders which enhances the likelihood for formulating microplastic pollution control policy. The study findings also show that policy-oriented learning can enhance increased stakeholder cooperation and lead to policy change on efforts to control microplastic pollution in waterways. Implications of the study for positive social change include increasing awareness of the sources and effects of plastic pollution, which may facilitate stakeholder cooperation and engineer the societal pressure required for formulating environmental and ecosystem protection policies. The result may be an improved environment and a reduction on the dangers of the plastic pollutants to aquatic and human lives. Perceived Approaches to Abating Microplastic Pollution in Chicago-Area Waterways by Edmund Okoli MS, International Institute of Aerospace Survey, Enschede, the Netherlands, 1991 BS, University of Nigeria Nsukka, 1978 Dissertation Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University September 2019 Dedication This work is dedicated to my parents, Charles and Juliana Okoli. My father Charles, who had stressed the value of education, passed on under the impression that I had completed my doctoral work. This work is also dedicated to my mother Juliana for her untiring support and encouragement even when things seemed extremely difficult. Acknowledgments I will like to acknowledge the great support from my wife Ifeoma who created the atmosphere that made it possible for me to start and continue with the program. My children Amarachukwu, Nnamdi, Onyekachi, and Chiamaka, and my brother Forster were of tremendous support in adapting to the frequent technological changes that I had to adapt to during the program. I greatly acknowledge the great support and motivation I received from Dr. Shafer who is a mentor per excellence. Dr. Shafer was not just the chairperson of my dissertation but was also a counselor who always provided an atmosphere that made me believe I could do it. I am also extremely grateful to Dr. Demeter, who was more than a second dissertation committee member. She offered insightful suggestions and words of encouragement when it seemed there was no way forward. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................7 Research Question .........................................................................................................7 Nature of Study ..............................................................................................................9 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................12 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................15 Summary ......................................................................................................................18 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................20 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................23 Origin of ACF ....................................................................................................... 25 Theoretical Propositions ....................................................................................... 25 Beliefs and Policy Evolution ................................................................................ 26 Advocacy Coalition as a Universal Framework in Policy Development ....................28 ACF in Domestic Violence ................................................................................... 28 ACF in Education ................................................................................................. 29 ACF in Health Policies ......................................................................................... 29 ACF Application in Water Policy ......................................................................... 31 Evolution of Water Protection Policies........................................................................38 i Pollution Control: Chicago’s Experience ............................................................. 40 Stakeholder Groups ......................................................................................................45 Business Groups Influence ................................................................................... 46 Environmental Groups Influence .......................................................................... 48 Government Players Influence .............................................................................. 50 Stakeholder Collaboration .................................................................................... 51 Developing a Proactive Pollution Policy .....................................................................53 Summary and Conclusion ............................................................................................56 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................58 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................59 Role of a Researcher ....................................................................................................61 Methodolog ..................................................................................................................63 Interviews .............................................................................................................. 63 Documents Review ............................................................................................... 66 Instrumentation ............................................................................................................66 Pilot Study ............................................................................................................. 68 Interviews .............................................................................................................
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