Policy analysis approaches to the investigation of goals modification for public and social service delivery programs at the local level

This paper deals with the question of what kinds of approaches we can use to investigate the process of goals modification for public and social service delivery programs within local organizations. To answer it we must first collect information about general methodological perspectives on policy and program implementation process in the field of policy analysis (the so-called top-down, bottom-up and synthetic approaches). Next, we present the concept of organizational models of social program implementation as proposed by Elmore (1978). It enables us to uncover which inter-organizational mechanisms matter. during the public program implementation process inside regional organizations, and what the proper sources of program goal modification are. We assume that the combined principles of bureaucracy, managerialism and professionalism included in Elmore ́s models enable us to investigate this goal modification while above all, it creates an institutional environment inside and outside regional organizations.