A Serendipity of Think Tanks Networks and Influence in Indonesia

Abstract

Think tanks' role as development policy entrepreneurs and lobbyists is well recognised. Like NGOs, think tanks have also acted as classical intellectual labour cofounded by local and international agencies. This research examines organisational network of Indonesian think tanks. This study aims to understand the nature of networks of policy research organisations in Indonesia by investigating their policy networks, funding networks and coalition networks. Using network theory methodology, this paper maps and visualises the network of 187 Indonesian think tank organisations from 28 provinces in Indonesia. The research suggests that most think tank players in Indonesia target policy planning institutions to channel their policy research and inform development planning agendas. A significant amount of high-level policy research is associated with planning ministers and the line agencies such as respective ministers. The findings also show that most policy research organisations and national NGOs target the Indonesian parliament for policy advocacy and discourse. What is clear is that national NGOs and international donors remain influential in shaping national public policy networks

Keywords: think tanks, organisational network, network analysis, NGOs, Indonesia, policy research, policy research organisations

JEL Classification: Z18, L31, L38