The OECD as a Global Data Collection and Policy Analysis Organization: Some Strengths and Weaknesses
| Author | Jin Zhang,Jean‐Marc Coicaud |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-5899.2011.00114.x |
| Date | 01 October 2011 |
| Published date | 01 October 2011 |
The OECD as a Global Data
Collection and Policy Analysis
Organization: Some Strengths and
Weaknesses
Jean-Marc Coicaud
United Nations University Office
Jin Zhang
UNICEF
Abstract
Over the decades, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has emerged as a leading
international organization on the grounds of its provision of data on economic, social and political issues. These data
provide the foundations for subsequent provision of analyses and policy recommendations, by the OECD itself and by
other international organizations and governments that rely on these data. Although the OECD is well respected for
its data, an advantage that has helped the organization to acquire substantial intellectual credibility, it faces a number
of challenges which are serious enough to beg questions about the usefulness – if not the legitimacy – of the data
produced. The purpose of this article is to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the data used by the OECD and,
on that basis, draw out conclusions on what consequences this has for the formulation of policy, particularly global
policy.
Policy Implications
•Satisfactory management of some of the world’s most serious problems depends on the provision of high-quality
data, information and knowledge. The OECD is well placed to provide these services to the international community,
and is becoming increasingly important to the G20 forum, lacking, as it does, a secretariat.
•More progress is needed to improve data quality for better global policy. Financial information must be rendered
much more transparent, externalities must be better accounted for by moving beyond aggregations of national
data, and greater efforts to extend data coverage to non-OECD members must continue.
The precursor of the OECD was the Organisation for
European Economic Cooperation (OEEC), created in 1947
and established in Paris in 1949 to administer American
and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan for the recon-
struction of Europe after the Second World War. The
OECD took over from the OEEC in 1961. In the words of
its Convention adopted in December 1960, it was set up:
to promote policies designed: to achieve the
highest sustainable economic growth and
employment and a rising standard of living in
Member countries, while maintaining financial
stability, and thus contribute to the develop-
ment of the world economy; to contribute to
sound economic expansion in Member as well
as non-member countries in the process of eco-
nomic development; and to contribute to the
expansion of world trade on a multilateral, non-
discriminatory basis in accordance with interna-
tional obligations (OECD, 1960).
The Convention also indicates that in the pursuit of
these goals member countries agree, among other
things, to reduce obstacles to the exchange of goods
and services as much as possible, extend the liberaliza-
tion of capital movements and encourage the economic
development of both member and non-member coun-
tries through enabling the flow of capital and securing
expanding export markets (OECD, 1960). Along with
cooperation and coordinated action among member
Global Policy Volume 2 . Issue 3 . October 2011
ª2011 London School of Economics and Political Science and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Global Policy (2011) 2:3 doi: 10.1111/j.1758-5899.2011.00114.x
Research Article (special section)
312
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