PrintFor this assignment, you will prepare and submit a document that is similar in format to the RPS Case Study, presented in lessons 2, 3 and 4 of this course. You are encouraged to start early, especially in the selection of your issue. A good choice will help your work go more smoothly and align easily with the values of this assignment.
Section 1: Issue--must be submitted for pre-approval
(For example, see RPS Case Study, part 1) Choose an issue to use as the topic of your case study. Your issue needs to be energy related, but may be a current or past issue and may be local, national or international. Remember, an issue is a specific policy question for which stakeholders (individuals, organizations, firms) care about the outcome. The issue is one dimensional—outcomes can be described along a scale (how much, how often, etc.) or simply yes/no, support/oppose. State your issue as a one sentence question about a specific policy.
Careful selection of an issue is a significant part of this assignment. Take your time and do some research. Look for an issue that is truly interesting to you and where sufficient information is available to form a good case study. It may help to consider issues in your community, issues related to your line of work or issues that are aligned with research or specialized studies you are doing in other courses.
- Your Issue must be submitted for pre-approval and you will receive feedback from me. It will not be graded, but be sure to watch due dates because a late penalty will apply.
- You must include Section 1 Issue (your approved issue policy question) in your final Case Study submission.
Section 2: Background
(For example, see RPS Case Study, part 1) Collect background on the issue. Document key terms and concepts, historical context, current status and overall timeline of relevant past events and upcoming ones (if known). Clearly explain what the issue is about! Use data, graphs, pictures, and tables as needed to describe the issue.
Section 3: Stakeholders
(For example, see RPS Case Study, part 2) Identify stakeholders (firms, associations, groups, or individuals) that have an interest in the outcome of this issue. Include at least four stakeholders that represent at least two different positions on the issue.
For each stakeholder, first provide name, type of organization and its mission. Establish stakeholder’s initial position on the issue and explain as needed.
Continue your analysis of each stakeholder with an orderly presentation of all variables related to demand for and supply of nonmarket action and your prediction for amount of nonmarket action the stakeholder can be expected to take.
To evaluate demand for nonmarket action, assess available substitutes, aggregate benefits, per capita benefits. To evaluate supply of nonmarket activities, assess effectiveness (numbers, coverage, and resources) and cost of organizing. To make these assessments, you’ll need to establish a scale for each variable. You can use the one in the RPS case study (for example, benefits are “small”, “moderate”, “considerable”, “large” or “substantial”) or design your own. Either way, include the scales you are using in your case study.
In all cases, be sure to give some reasoning that supports the value you have assigned. If you indicate that “coverage” is “extensive,” explain why you believe this to be true.
Now you are ready to predict the likelihood of the stakeholder taking nonmarket action. To do this, review the information you have collected to this point and, for each stakeholder, weigh the demand for taking action against the supply of action. The greater the demand, the more likelihood of taking action. The greater the cost (considering available resources), the less likelihood of taking action. You’ll need to establish a scale for this too. You can use the one from the RPS case study or establish your own. Either way, be sure to include it.
Section 4: Nonmarket Analysis Summary Framework
(For example, see RPS Case Study, part 2) Summarize all of your findings into a Nonmarket Analysis Summary Framework as used in part 2 of the RPS Case Study. You’ll find an Excel template for the Nonmarket Analysis Framework in the Related Materials folder under the Modules tab in Canvas. Be sure to group stakeholders based on their position on the issue.
Section 5: Strategy
(For example, see RPS Case Study, part 3)
a) Introduction. Whereas data collection and analysis may be handled the same way by all stakeholders, the strategy deployed by a stakeholder will depend on that stakeholder’s objective (position on the issue). At this point, select one of your stakeholders and assume you are writing a strategy recommendation to that specific stakeholder. Begin this section with a statement to that effect, indicating the stakeholder and the stakeholder’s position on the issue.
b) Consideration of Individual Strategies. Depending on the nature of your issue, your recommended nonmarket strategy may involve public or private politics. If your issue will be handled in a government arena, consider appropriate public politics strategies. If your issue is not being addressed in a government arena, consider appropriate private politics strategies. Do remember, many of the strategies described in this course are applicable to both private and public politics. Create a brief list describing at least five different strategies that are being considered and why they would or would not be applicable to this stakeholder for this issue.
c) Recommendation. With as much detail as possible, describe your recommended strategy. Include specifics; be imaginative! If you are writing about a past issue (that has already been resolved), write about the actual strategy that was used.