Framing the Policy Analysis of OECD and Australian VET Interaction: Two Heuristics of Policy Transfer

Abstract

This article considers the recent refurbishment of Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) policy and highlights the substantial, though unacknowledged, influence of OECD ideas thereupon. It claims that this case study strengthens policy transfer analysts’ understanding of the role of international organizations in the policy transfer process. The article argues that the influence of the OECD can be articulated as a channel of policy transfer via two connected perspectives: first, the OECD’s use of peer review mechanisms induces ideational competition and conformity between member states; and, second, by virtue of the OECD’s expertise and resources in select policy areas, it operates as a form of epistemic community that privileges some policy options over others.

Keywords:

• policy transfer
• OECD
• epistemic communities
• vocational education and training

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the comments and suggestions of two anonymous referees, which assisted in the development of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Timothy Legrand

Dr Tim Legrand is a Lecturer at the National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University.

Christopher Vas

Dr Christopher Vas is Academic Director at Murdoch University’s School of Management and Governance.