An Institutional Analysis of the Implementation of the “One Village One Product” Policy in China and Thailand
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Abstract
The One Village One Product (OVOP) program, which originated in Japan in the 1960s, has been implemented in both China and Thailand, each employing distinct institutional frameworks. The objective of this study was to examine how China and Thailand have adapted the concepts of Japan’s original OVOP policy to address their own rural development challenges. The authors employed the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and a qualitative and interpretive research methodology, collecting data through interviews with key informants from China and Thailand and document research. The findings are as follows. China and Thailand, facing their own rural development challenges, integrated elements of OVOP into their respective strategies. China’s OVOP program addresses its “Three Rural Issues” with an approach characterized by centralized governance. Despite the predominant control of the central government, there is evident decentralization in production models and local economic initiatives. Conversely, Thailand’s One Tambon One Product (OTOP) policy champions “local wisdom” and moderated growth, emphasizing diverse product development and quality control, with a more decentralized approach. While both China and Thailand aim for rural revitalization and economic growth, their strategies differ due to their unique institutional structures and political systems. Both policies highlight the need to strike a balance between centralized decision making and localized execution. This balance fosters tailored solutions addressing the distinct needs of different regions, enhancing policy effectiveness. The present study enriches the discourse on public policy and rural development by providing insights into how institutional attributes dictate policy instrument choices and effectiveness. Future research avenues include assessing these policies’ long-term rural impacts and the potential for cross-country collaboration towards rural sustainability.
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