Other positive elements involve the delegation of responsibility and a willingness and ability to capture and build on unexpected results. IDRC has taken a dual approach to policy integration as a research question. It has supported case studies where specific information was lacking and funded workshops in different regions to learn how researchers and policy makers address policy integration. There is no longer any question that research can play a valuable role in a successful integration process. For example, research can identify policy options or alternative institutional mechanisms under different scenarios, and analyze their advantages and disadvantages.
Research can also develop the tools and techniques for analysis and evaluation.
Not surprisingly, the policy emphasis in integration varies by region or country. The focus in Africa tends to be on impacts of macro-level economic policies on social development, whereas in Asia the environmental implications of economic growth are paramount. The findings also highlight challenging questions for policy integration. Political institutions and policy-making processes need to have the flexibility to promote and foster integration when appropriate. Ultimately, policy integration unleashes processes whose outcomes cannot be predicted at the outset.