Handling Socio-institutional Traps–Inertia Towards Australia’s Resilient International Development Aid Programs in the Solomon Islands

Mark Opoku Amankwa, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante and Alina Novak
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Mark Opoku Amankwa: School of Science, Edith Cowan University Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch
Kwadwo Adusei-Asante: School of Science, Edith Cowan University
Alina Novak: Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch

Journal of Developing Societies, 2025, vol. 41, issue 2, 216-241

Abstract: This study critically examines how donor’s aid delivery approach, entrenched socio-institutional dynamics, and the Solomon Islands’ complex political economy create persistent barriers to Australia’s aid programming. Through a desktop research approach, institutional trap–inertia theory is applied to analyze how Australia’s aid efforts and political structures perpetuate aid inertia. The study critiques both Australia’s aid delivery approach and the internal governance challenges in a cohesive society of the SI, highlighting their intertwined roles in impeding Australia’s aid programming. The article proffers context-driven, locally adaptive strategies aimed at overcoming institutional traps and fostering more resilient and effective aid interventions .

Keywords: Socio-institutional traps–inertia; Australia’s aid; Solomon Islands; political economy; clientelism; political elites; governance reform (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:41:y:2025:i:2:p:216-241

DOI: 10.1177/0169796X251322256

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