Less attention, however, has been paid to the role of organisational interests and capacities for shaping development outcomes. In the following, their role as well as that of surrounding factors will be illuminated. It will be argued that comprehensive analyses of a development organisations behaviour-outcome-nexus has to rely on structural aspects, including contexts, trends, organisational logics and goals.
First of all, in order to understand the behaviour-outcome-nexus, one has to take a step back and shed light onto the structures in which these development organisations (DOs) operate. As it is frequently pointed out, the higher the number of (I)NGOs in a transnational sector such as development , the higher the (in)direct transaction costs. This includes, for example, costs related to selecting recipients, monitoring aid projects and collecting information and funds more generally. Consequently, and acting in both directions, the higher the transaction costs for a respective DO, the higher the uncertainties and competition.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Structural Analysis of Development Organisations
3. Contextual and Trend-based Influences on Development Outcomes
4. The Role of Managerialism and Consultancies
5. Ownership Problems and Aid Conditionality
6. Strategic Alignment and the Sustainable Development Goals
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores how organisational interests and capacities within the development sector influence development outcomes, arguing that these outcomes are shaped by a complex interplay of structural contexts, institutional trends, and specific organisational logics.
- The role of transactional costs and sector fragmentation in shaping aid efficacy.
- The impact of "managerialism" and the increased reliance on external consultants within international organisations.
- Trade-offs between visibility, funding, and the practical effectiveness of development interventions.
- The influence of global frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on organisational goal-setting and accountability.
Excerpt from the Book
The NGO Scramble: Organizational Insecurity and the Political Economy of Transnational Action
It must be stressed that not only IOs are affected by this trend as part of marketisation practices. DOs and other kinds of organisations more generally are similarly affected by what Meyer and Bromley (2013, p. 374) define as the “rise of abstract managerialism”: a world cultural frame promoting organisation via ‘strategic planning, quantitative program evaluation, audits, and the use of consultants’. Similar to the case of IOs in particular, they (p.379) further argue that abstract managerialism can lead to drastic changes in an organisation’s identity and even shifts towards “means-end-purposiveness”. What may (un)intentionally result is the shrinking of “development space”, originally defined by Wade (2003, p. 622) in reference to the ‘diversification and upgrading policies in developing countries’. Whilst Wade exemplified his argument with the World Trade Organisation as an IO as such, Seabrooke and Sending (2019) shine light on the intra-organisational micro-processes that may lead to shrunk development space.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the proliferation of development organisations and identifies the under-researched behaviour-outcome-nexus as the primary focus of the analysis.
2. Structural Analysis of Development Organisations: This section examines how sectoral growth and high transaction costs create uncertainties that influence organisational behaviour.
3. Contextual and Trend-based Influences on Development Outcomes: The chapter uses the historical case of Taiwan to illustrate how institutional homogeneity and donor approach can impact development success.
4. The Role of Managerialism and Consultancies: This part analyzes how marketisation and the reliance on consultants shift organisational identity and "cognitive authority".
5. Ownership Problems and Aid Conditionality: This chapter discusses the mediation role of aid agencies and the often counterproductive effects of "aid conditionality".
6. Strategic Alignment and the Sustainable Development Goals: This section investigates how the alignment with global agendas like the SDGs imposes administrative burdens and influences goal-setting.
7. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that structural aspects, contexts, and organisational logics are fundamental to understanding development outcomes.
Keywords
Development Organisations, Behaviour-Outcome-Nexus, Organisational Capacities, Managerialism, Transaction Costs, Aid Conditionality, Sustainable Development Goals, Institutional Logics, Marketisation, Development Space, Foreign Aid Agencies, Transnational Sector, Strategic Planning, Accountability, Knowledge Societies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this essay?
The essay explores the relationship between the interests and capacities of development organisations and the resulting development outcomes, focusing on the "behaviour-outcome-nexus".
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the impact of sector fragmentation, the "rise of abstract managerialism," the influence of international aid conditionality, and the alignment of organisations with global frameworks like the SDGs.
What is the central research question?
The essay seeks to understand how organisational interests and internal capacities play a role in shaping development outcomes, referencing both historical and contemporary case studies.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author conducts a structured literature review and theoretical analysis, drawing on concepts like "managerialism," "development space," and transaction cost theory to evaluate organisational behaviour.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the structural environment of transnational organisations, the specific influence of consultancy-driven managerialism, the challenges of aid ownership, and the potential biases within global goal-setting frameworks.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Core keywords include development organisations, organisational capacities, managerialism, transaction costs, aid conditionality, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
How does "abstract managerialism" affect development organisations?
It leads to a shift toward "means-end-purposiveness," where organisations prioritize strategic planning, audits, and quantitative evaluation, potentially at the cost of their core identity and "development space."
What role does the HIV/AIDS crisis play in the author’s argument?
The case of the HIV/AIDS response illustrates how the pressure for "visibility" and donor-friendly outcomes can lead to dysfunctional behaviour, such as favoring treatment over prevention despite long-term cost benefits.
Does the author argue that the SDGs are inherently negative?
No, the author acknowledges the positive potential of the SDGs for improving livelihoods but criticizes their "utilitarian" bias and tendency to prioritize economic growth over diverse, non-Western forms of knowledge.
- Quote paper
- Max Schmidt (Author), 2020, How organisational interests and capacities play a role in shaping development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/978882
