Actors and dynamics of a policy transfer network

Based on the discussions of Role Theory and policy transfer, this paper analyzes how the transfer of food and nutritional security policies to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries relates to Brazil´s performance as a “developer”. We demonstrate how a transnational policy transfer network congregating several cooperation modalities was constructed as a status-seeking strategy grounded on projecting domestic policies. Therefore, the policy transfer case study, was carried out, through interviews and document analysis, in order to observing the cooperative dynamic by mapping the effects that the contacts established between several actors had in the long term. The temporal scope of the analysis begins with the arrival of Lula da Silva to the Presidency in 2003, and extends until the II Extraordinary Meeting of the CPLP Council of Food and Nutritional Security, in June 2017. For conducting an operational analysis, social participation and inter-sectorial work were selected as representatives of the conceptual framework related to the Human Right to Adequate Food, since they are two central ideas for the policies that are the object of experience-sharing in South-South cooperation on food and nutritional security.

How do policy transfer mechanisms influence policy outcomes in the context of authoritarianism in Vietnam?

The literature on policy transfer shows that it may result in simultaneous policy convergence and policy divergence. However, little is known about how such results happen when transferring from multiple and possibly contrasting sources. This study finds that civil service reforms in Vietnam’s merit-based policies are influenced by both western and Asian models of meritocracy. This makes them both closer to universal ‘best practices’ and at the same time sharpens the distinctiveness of Vietnam’s policy. The calculations of political actors in combination with the context of a one-party authoritarian state have led to policy transfer through mechanisms of translation and assemblage which brings about a hybrid of convergence and divergence. This study enhances understanding of policy transfer in the context of Asian authoritarianism. In finding hybridity in transfer outcomes in this national context, the article shows the uniqueness of resultant policy change and develops an analytical framework for the influence of policy transfer on policy outcomes.

Comparison of Turkey and the Netherlands Social Housing Policies

In this study, social housing policies developed for the housing needs of the poor citizens in Turkey and the Netherlands were examined. In this context, the aim of the study is to compare the extent of social housing policies implemented in Turkey and the Netherlands by presenting both countries policies on this subject. Another goal of this study is to develop suggestions based on research results. Most important roles in determining the social housing policies in Turkey belong to central administration. In the Netherlands, the central administration has transferred its authorization to local municipalities and housing associations. The data obtained were analyzed with the Maxqda data analysis program. At the end of the analysis, similar and different aspects of social housing policies have been presented. As a result, although there are similarities found in housing finance, it has been observed that there are different policies in terms of housing supply. In this context, policy transfer is a recommended approach that will contribute to the solution.

Audiovisual policy transfer between Mercosur and the European Union has gone offtrack

This article analyses the Audiovisual Mercosur Program as a case of policy transfer between Mercosur and the European Union. A qualitative document analysis, expert interviews and the use of policy transfer theory and its constraints made possible the critical evaluation of the program and its impacts. By focusing on the constraints that led to an incomplete and uninformed transfer, we were able to identify an alignment between the underlying ideas of audiovisual policies in Mercosur and the European Union, but also inadequate governance within Mercosur, unbalanced interests between the two trade blocks, and a lack of policy learning. As a result, the transfer of European Union policies reproduced well-documented failures of the European Union's internal market policies relating to the audiovisual sector.

The Impact of Slovenian Qualifications Framework: Stakeholders’ Perspective

This paper examines the impact of the national qualifications framework on the education and training system in Slovenia in the context of the European qualifications framework for lifelong learning and its influence on the design of the Slovenian qualifications framework. Although the role of the European Union in educational policy-making has received considerable attention, of which national qualifications frameworks are part of, only a few studies have focused on measuring the impacts of the European qualifications framework influenced national qualifications frameworks in Europe. By drawing on the theoretical concept of policy transfer in the analysis of European/global education policies, the study shows how European qualifications framework policy transfer influenced Slovenian qualifications framework development through soft instruments. Furthermore, this study examined the extent to which the Slovenian qualifications framework’s objectives have been achieved according to key stakeholders (n = 50) using a quantitative research approach. The findings indicate that, unlike objectives related to the Slovenian qualifications framework’s reform role, i.e. support for lifelong learning, the objectives related to the Slovenian qualifications framework’s communication role, i.e. recognisability, understanding and transparency of qualifications and coordination of the qualifications subsystems, are mostly being met from the stakeholders’ perspective.

Constructing a Vocational and Educational Training System in Peru Drawing from Successful Cases in the Asia-Pacific region

<p>Peru currently has a fragmented and incomplete approach to Vocational and Educational Training (VET). This presents a problem for the country’s growing demand for skilled human capital, especially the skills requirements needed to foster Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) productivity. In a context where trends such as globalization, competitiveness, and scientific and technological advances are setting big challenges to developing countries, it might be relevant that Peru gazes on best practices of those countries that have implemented recent reforms in their VET systems. This research uses a systematic approach to review the international literature on the design of VET policies and systems to discover the aspects which could be of use to Peru’s next steps in the development of its VET system. It drew on the most relevant VET systems across Asia-Pacific countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, to identify trends and define criteria to analyse the current VET system. Policy transfer frameworks are used to draw from these systems those characteristics most needed. Some of the most important policies that the Peruvian VET system might consider are to reduce the fragmentation of current VET system by bringing all the targeted programs that the Peruvian government is carrying out at present into a more integrated whole of government approach, the reform of formal provision of technical education at secondary and tertiary level that stress the transferability of degrees across the Asia-Pacific region, and the creation of a training system according to requirements of the labour market and socio-cultural characteristics of students.</p>

Constructing a Vocational and Educational Training System in Peru Drawing from Successful Cases in the Asia-Pacific region

<p>Peru currently has a fragmented and incomplete approach to Vocational and Educational Training (VET). This presents a problem for the country’s growing demand for skilled human capital, especially the skills requirements needed to foster Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) productivity. In a context where trends such as globalization, competitiveness, and scientific and technological advances are setting big challenges to developing countries, it might be relevant that Peru gazes on best practices of those countries that have implemented recent reforms in their VET systems. This research uses a systematic approach to review the international literature on the design of VET policies and systems to discover the aspects which could be of use to Peru’s next steps in the development of its VET system. It drew on the most relevant VET systems across Asia-Pacific countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, to identify trends and define criteria to analyse the current VET system. Policy transfer frameworks are used to draw from these systems those characteristics most needed. Some of the most important policies that the Peruvian VET system might consider are to reduce the fragmentation of current VET system by bringing all the targeted programs that the Peruvian government is carrying out at present into a more integrated whole of government approach, the reform of formal provision of technical education at secondary and tertiary level that stress the transferability of degrees across the Asia-Pacific region, and the creation of a training system according to requirements of the labour market and socio-cultural characteristics of students.</p>

The rise of big philanthropy in global social policy: implications for policy transfer and analysis

A new group of Western development donors has emerged as increasingly influential actors in global social policy. Big philanthropies have begun implementing social protection projects on a vast scale across the Global South and have become integrated within global governance structures. It is essential to examine whether their approach to social policy in the South is effective, legitimate and desirable for the substantive agendas and programmes in these countries and for analysis of social policy in a development context. This study investigates contemporary big philanthropies through a qualitative case-study of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its role in the health sector in Tanzania. It examines the ways in which big philanthropies engage and seek to influence policy on the ground, directly exploring the views and experiences of local stakeholders. The study finds that big philanthropies have distinctive features and mechanisms as global social policy entrepreneurs. In contrast to the vertical and linear processes associated with traditional policy transfer, a more messy and complex set of mechanisms are observed. The study also indicates that despite considerable resources and authority, philanthropic donors may not be effective in securing policy reform within aid-receiving countries due to a lack of transparency and embeddedness.