Between global mandates and local arrangements: a comparative analysis of inclusive education implementation across Nordic, Western European, and East Asian educational systems

TThis comparative study examines the implementation of inclusive education across Nordic, Western European, and East Asian educational systems from 2006 to 2023. Using institutional theory and policy transfer frameworks, the research analyzes 206 policy documents and 27 expert interviews across nine countries. Findings reveal that while all regions share commitments to international inclusive education mandates, implementation varies significantly due to distinctive institutional logics and cultural orientations. Nordic countries pursue universal design approaches embedded within comprehensive welfare systems, Western European countries maintain graduated support systems balancing professional expertise with inclusion goals, and East Asian countries integrate inclusion within performance-oriented reform agendas. The study identifies emergent hybrid models that creatively adapt global principles to local contexts, challenging assumptions about policy convergence. These findings demonstrate how institutional arrangements mediate global policy translation and offer insights for developing contextually appropriate inclusive education strategies.