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White paper

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For other uses, see White paper (disambiguation).

A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that helps solve a problem. White papers are used to educate readers and help people make decisions, and may be a consultation as to the details of new legislation. The publishing of a white paper signifies a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. White Papers are a "... tool of participatory democracy ... not [an] unalterable policy commitment".[1] "White Papers have tried to perform the dual role of presenting firm government policies while at the same time inviting opinions upon them."[2]

In Canada, a white paper "is considered to be a policy document, approved by Cabinet, tabled in the House of Commons and made available to the general public".[3] The "provision of policy information through the use of white and green papers can help to create an awareness of policy issues among parliamentarians and the public and to encourage an exchange of information and analysis. They can also serve as educational techniques".[4]

"White Papers are used as a means of presenting government policy preferences prior to the introduction of legislation"; as such, the "publication of a White Paper serves to test the climate of public opinion regarding a controversial policy issue and enables the government to gauge its probable impact".[5]

By contrast, green papers, which are issued much more frequently, are more open-ended. Also known as consultation documents, green papers may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation or they may set out proposals on which the government wishes to obtain public views and opinion.

White papers published by the European Commission are documents containing proposals for European Union action in a specific area. They sometimes follow a green paper released to launch a public consultation process.

Examples of governmental white papers include White Paper on Full Employment, White Paper of 1939, and the 1966 Defence White Paper.

Commercial white papers

Since the early 1990s, the term white paper has come to refer to documents used as marketing or sales tools. Commercial white papers generally argue that the benefits of a particular technology, product or methodology are superior for solving a specific problem. They may also present research findings, list a set of questions or tips about a certain business issue, or highlight a particular product or service from a vendor.Kantor, Jonathan (2009). Crafting White Paper 2.0: Designing Information for Today's Time and Attention Challenged Business Reader. Denver,Colorado: Lulu Publishing. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-557-16324-3.

Commercial white papers are marketing communications documents designed to promote the products or services from a specific company. As a marketing tool, these papers use selected facts and logical arguments to build a case favorable to the company sponsoring the document. Commercial white papers are often used to generate sales leads, establish thought leadership, make a business case, or educate customers, channel partners, or investors.

While some list dozens of different types, there are three main types of commercial white papers:

  • Business benefits: Makes a business case for a certain technology or methodology.
  • Technical: Describes how a certain technology works.
  • Hybrid: Combines business benefits with technical details in a single document.

There are now far more commercial white papers being produced for vendors than political white papers being produced for governments.

See also

References

  1. ^ Doerr, Audrey D. The Role of White Papers. In: Doern, G.B. and Peter Aucoin. The Structures of Policy-making in Canada. Toronto, MacMillan, 1971. pp. 179-203.
  2. ^ Pemberton, John E. Government Green Papers. Library World 71:49 Aug. 1969.
  3. ^ Doerr, Audrey D. The Role of White Papers in the Policy-making Process: the Experience of the Government of Canada. 1973. Thesis (Ph.D) - Carleton University. 1. 56
  4. ^ Doerr, Audrey D. The Machinery of Government. Toronto, Methuen, 1981. p. 153.
  5. ^ Chapin, Henry and Denis Deneau. Citizen involvement in Public Policy-making: Access and the Policy-making Process. Ottawa, Canadian Council on Social Development, 1978. p. 33.

Further reading

  • Stelzner, Michael (2006). Writing White Papers: How to capture readers and keep them engaged. Poway, California: WhitePaperSource Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-9777169-3-7.
  • Bly, Robert W. (2006). The White Paper Marketing Handbook. Florence, Kentucky: South-Western Educational Publishing. p. 256. ISBN 978-0-324-30082-6.
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