'Network governance' and the formation of the strategic plan in the higher education sector in Bangladesh

The concept 'network governance' has become widespread and is often believed to occur in a Western environment. Is network governance applicable to other contexts and what can we learn from it in Bangladeshi context? This paper outlines how the idea of 'network governance' emerged and how it operates in a neoliberal higher education policy-formulation process in Bangladesh. It is based on a qualitative case study, using qualitative content analysis of documents and a thematic analysis of interviews with 13 state-level policy actors and one journalist in which they provide accounts of networking policy activities in the development of a Strategic Plan for Higher Education. This paper seeks to contribute to the understanding of not only how network governance is formed at the micro-level, but also how network governance interplays with structures and how policies that circulate globally are negotiated and shaped in the local context.

Automated summary

This paper examines the emergence and operation of 'network governance' in the neoliberal higher education policy-making process in Bangladesh through a qualitative case study. It aims to provide insights into how network governance is formed at the micro-level and its interaction with structures, as well as how globally circulating policies are negotiated and shaped in the local context.