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Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)

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  • Matt Andrews
  • Lant Pritchett
  • Michael Woolcock

Abstract

Many reform initiatives in developing countries fail to achieve sustained improvements in performance because they are merely isomorphic mimicry—that is, governments and organizations pretend to reform by changing what policies or organizations look like rather than what they actually do. The flow of development resources and legitimacy without demonstrated improvements in performance, however, undermines the impetus for effective action to build state capability or improve performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Matt Andrews & Lant Pritchett & Michael Woolcock, 2012. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2012-064, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2012-064
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2012-064.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sharun W. Mukand & Dani Rodrik, 2005. "In Search of the Holy Grail: Policy Convergence, Experimentation, and Economic Performance," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(1), pages 374-383, March.
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    6. Lant Pritchett & Michael Woolcock & Matt Andrews, 2013. "Looking Like a State: Techniques of Persistent Failure in State Capability for Implementation," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Albert N. Link & John T. Scott, 2013. "Introduction," Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, in: Bending the Arc of Innovation: Public Support of R&D in Small, Entrepreneurial Firms, chapter 1, pages 1-5, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic development; Economic policy; Public administration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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