Problems in interdisciplinary policy research and management in government

With the increasing complexities of government policy and decision making, it has become necessary to take an interdisciplinary approach to policy analysis and problem solving. This trend had its origins in the defense and space sectors where both technical and economic questions had to be considered together on a systems basis. As issues in the economic and social sectors of the economy become high priority, other concerns such as legal, social, and institutional factors become important. The establishment of the necessary mechanism within government to perform interdisciplinary policy research and analysis presents new problems and challenging opportunities for managers and policy analysts. This paper will attempt to describe the important managerial factors in the planning and implementation of a policy analysis organization based on the experience of the establishment of a telecommunications policy analysis function within the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide policy research and analysis to the Executive Office of the President. The institutional factors, problems, and needs particular to government are stressed.