PUBLIC SUPPORT ON POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Public support is widely recognised as a crucial factor for effective policy implementation
and democratic governance. Despite the increased attention on this topic, the literature
exploring the drivers of public support across various policy areas remains broad and
fragmented. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current
understanding of public support in policy contexts through a systematic literature review.
Following the PRISMA protocol, we reviewed and thematically analysed 25 empirical
studies. Our findings indicate that several factors influence public support, including
individual values, political trust, perceived policy effectiveness, communication strategies,
and demographic characteristics. We identified key themes across different domains,
such as environmental, health, social, and governance policies. Additionally, this review
highlights the uneven geographical and sectoral focus in the existing literature and the
limited integration of psychological, social, and economic dimensions. Based on these
insights, we propose a future research agenda and offer practical recommendations for
policymakers to create more inclusive and effective public engagement strategies.