Motivations and Interdependence in Elderly Care

Abstract

This chapter compares resource exchange and interdependence between local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the network governance of elderly care and social care for people with learning disabilities. In contrast to the bird’s-eye view presented in Chap. 2, I offer a bottom-up analysis in this and subsequent chapters, unpacking the stories in detail around my comparative themes (see column 1 in Table 3.1). This chapter is one of three pieces of the jigsaw that form the answer to my research questions—is network governance feasible in England and China in both policy areas? And what are the differences and similarities between network governance in England and China? Section 3.1 presents the different and similar resources available and the levels of dependence in elderly care policy networks in England and China for NGOs. It serves as a starting point for all the subsequent analysis based on mutual needs in Sect. 3.2 and aspects of interdependence and reciprocity in elderly care in England and China in Sect. 3.3. Section 3.4 offers a conclusion generated from comparing mutual needs, resource availability, interdependence and resource exchange in both policy areas in England and China.