Local private actors in transnational policy networks: A relational approach to studying policy transfers in Asia

Abstract

Many documented cases of policy transfer in Asia involve small and medium enterprises as well as public enterprises but little is known about how and why these local private actors participate in transnational policy transfer networks. We propose a relational view of policy transfer to examine how agency is exercised in these kinds of transfer networks. We develop a typology of the engagement of these private actors—solutionist and entrepreneur—based on their relational position in the policy transfer process and illustrate its usefulness using two cases of policy transfer between: (1) Yokohama (Japan) and Cebu (Philippines) and (2) Singapore and New Clark City (Philippines). A common theme in these networks is the diffused nature of agency where local private actors are pulled in to provide epistemic resources.

Beyond the flying geese? New patterns, actors, and contestations of policy transfer in East Asia

“…The process of translation, formulation, and institutionalization of policy ideas, which was buttressed by a strong belief system shared between advocacy coalitions in Japan and South Korea, took a little <10 years. Saguin and Sha (2023) analyzed two examples of private local actor involvement in the movement of urban development technologies in an attempt to move beyond statist and nationalist accounts of policy transfer. Drawing on the case analysis of policy transfers between Yokohama-Cebu and Singapore-New Clark City, they argued to view agency as a relational construct, whereby the participation of local agents is contingent on performing specific roles related to providing epistemic resources.…”