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Getting institutions right: Matching institutional capacities to developmental tasks

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  • Ricks, Jacob I.
  • Doner, Richard F.

Abstract

Since the 1990s, scholars and international organizations such as the World Bank have recognized the centrality of institutions for development. While important, this “institutional turn” has generally minimized the diversity of development challenges and the corresponding need for different institutional capacities. Yet distinguishing among developmental tasks is a critical step in understanding the kinds of institutions necessary to accomplish policy tasks. We identify five dimensions of task difficulty that affect the degree and nature of policy challenges and, as a result, the institutional capacities necessary to accomplish such challenges. We assess the utility of this framework through a qualitative analysis of two cross-national/single sector comparative cases: irrigation construction and maintenance in Taiwan versus Thailand and upgrading in the natural rubber industry in Malaysia versus Thailand. This framework constitutes a diagnostic tool for identifying areas in need of institutional strengthening, emphasizing the importance of “fit” between institutional capacities and developmental tasks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricks, Jacob I. & Doner, Richard F., 2021. "Getting institutions right: Matching institutional capacities to developmental tasks," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:139:y:2021:i:c:s0305750x20304617
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105334
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Shair-Rosenfield, 2022. "Decentralization, intergovernmental coordination, and emergency response in East and Southeast Asia: lessons from combatting the COVID-19 pandemic," Working Papers. Collection A: Public economics, governance and decentralization 2209, Universidade de Vigo, GEN - Governance and Economics research Network.
    2. Frank Siedlok & Natasha Hamilton‐Hart & Hsiao‐Chen Shen, 2022. "Taiwan's COVID‐19 Response: The Interdependence of State and Private Sector Institutions," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(1), pages 190-216, January.
    3. David Guerrero & Hidekazu Itoh & Guanie Lim & Petronille Harnay & Guillaume Corre, 2023. "Supplier networks at the integrated peripheries of the automobile industry: the case of keiretsu suppliers in Thailand," Post-Print hal-04166229, HAL.
    4. Kablan P. Kacou & Lavagnon A. Ika & Lauchlan T. Munro, 2022. "Fifty years of capacity building: Taking stock and moving research forward," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(4), pages 215-232, October.
    5. Siwach, Garima & Paul, Sohini & de Hoop, Thomas, 2022. "Economies of scale of large-scale international development interventions: Evidence from self-help groups in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).

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