ASEAN as network governance: an alternative lens to evaluate policymaking and performance

Background: This article offers a new perspective of ASEAN as network governance (NG) at its core, with a hierarchical organisational structure as its front (hybrid organisation). The works on network forms of organisation and policy network theory (PNT) were used for the analysis.
Methods: Two case studies from the ASEAN Community were selected to show the applicability and effectiveness of NG. They were selected for their prominence and the prevalence of critical comments on their ineffectiveness in promoting ASEAN’s integration. A study on how these policies are made and implemented in ASEAN was evaluated using a qualitative research methodology by analysing existing literature.
Results: The findings show ASEAN as a hybrid structure that has helped in two ways critical to ASEAN's survival and relevance. First, the approach provides legitimacy for ASEAN in the international community by purposefully adopting structures similar to the EU without the supranational elements. Second, it..., A qualitative content analysis and case studies related to the significance of NG and policy networks in ASEAN were undertaken. Through qualitative content analysis, relevant information was systematically analysed to identify patterns and themes. The case studies provided specific examples that shed light on the dynamics of policy networks, member states’ motivations, and the role of ASEAN’s centrality in policymaking. Combining these methods, the study aimed to understand the relevance and application of NG and policy networks within ASEAN.
Content analysis
The primary data used for the content analysis was ASEAN reports, documents, and research articles, besides analysis of studies and research papers on NG, policy networks, and ASEAN processes. They provided an understanding of the policy process phases and their varying degrees of success in the individual ASEAN communities. This study's search strategy for documents and sources involved a comprehensive approach. A systematic liter...,