This paper examines in what way isomorphism caused by western donors influences the effectiveness of non-governmental organizations in Africa. As about 40% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa live below the poverty line it is interesting to know if African NGOs work effectively.
To answer the above mentioned question first the terms NGO and aid delivery system are clarified in chapter 2.1. Thereon, characteristics of African NGOs will be derived and the term effectiveness will be defined in chapter 2.2 and 2.3 before the institutional theory will be introduced in chapter 3. The focus will lay on the three types of isomorphism as well as on explaining an organizational field. Finally in chapter 4 the theoretical concept of institutional theory and the model to measure effectiveness will be applied to African NGOs.
For that institutional theory as well as the conceptualizations of
effectiveness, goal attainment, resource acquisition and reputation, are applied to find out the influence of isomorphism on the management, program, environment and partnership domain of NGOs. It is concluded that without donors many NGOs could not exist. Nevertheless NGOs became local managers of foreign aid money, not managers of local African development processes and are too much influenced by donors.
Table of Contents
1. Trend of homogenization
2. Introducing the aid delivery system, African non-governmental organizations and the term effectiveness
2.1 Aid delivery system
2.2 African non-governmental organizations
2.3 Three conceptualizations of effectiveness
3. Institutional theory
3.1 Types of isomorphism
3.2 Organizational field
4. Effectiveness of isomorphism in African non-governmental organizations
4.1 Management domain
4.2 Program domain
4.3 Environment domain
4.4 Partnership domain
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This term paper examines how isomorphism, driven by Western donor influence, affects the operational effectiveness of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research question addresses whether this homogenization process leads to improved outcomes or undermines local developmental effectiveness.
- Application of institutional theory to the NGO sector.
- Analysis of coercive, mimetic, and normative isomorphism.
- Impact of donor reporting and financial control on NGO performance.
- Examination of the aid delivery system and organizational fields.
- Evaluation of effectiveness across management, program, environment, and partnership domains.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Management domain
The board and hence the employees working for the NGO are very much influenced by the donors (Hearn, 2007). Coercive isomorphism occurs for example because the donors shape the management’s used structure, business plan and strategy. Michael wrote that African NGOs cannot set their own priorities, define their agendas or influence the international development community. Like a NGO leader in Clayés research (p.610) stated: “So if a donor says jump. You say how high and you do it.” In the worst case Haveman (1993) stated, a from donor-side expected change in the leadership structure could lead to the NGO´s mortality.
This can happen because often organizations and its enthusiastic, motivated, visionary leader are intimately intertwined (Sooryamoorthy & Gangrade, 2001). Moreover, the already mentioned bureaucratization can hinder decision making, limit the responsiveness of the NGO (Martens, 2002), create dependencies and undermine the NGOs empowerment (Hudock, 2001). Henderson (2002) claims that NGO managers often try hard to get grants to ensure their employees can stay. Even in on-site project implementation donors limit the management boards independence (Mundau & Tanga, 2014). To sum it up, donors expectations force NGOs to be more business-like by producing numbers which in contrast would prefer to act more on a trust basis (Claeyé & Jackson, 2012).
Summary of Chapters
1. Trend of homogenization: Introduces the concept of isomorphism as a process of organizational convergence and defines the paper's focus on African NGOs.
2. Introducing the aid delivery system, African non-governmental organizations and the term effectiveness: Clarifies terminology and establishes the frameworks for assessing NGO structure and performance measurement.
3. Institutional theory: Explains the theoretical foundations of isomorphism and defines the organizational field within the NGO context.
4. Effectiveness of isomorphism in African non-governmental organizations: Analyzes the impacts of donor-driven isomorphism across four critical domains: management, programs, environment, and partnerships.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, noting that donor influence often leads to NGOs becoming managers of aid money rather than local development, and suggests a need for a more balanced partnership approach.
Keywords
Isomorphism, Non-governmental organizations, Africa, Western donors, Institutional theory, Aid delivery system, Organizational effectiveness, Coercive isomorphism, Mimetic isomorphism, Normative isomorphism, Management domain, Program domain, Sustainability, Accountability, Civil society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how isomorphism, induced by Western donors, influences the organizational effectiveness of NGOs operating in Sub-Saharan Africa.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The work covers institutional theory, aid delivery systems, organizational management, program implementation, and the dynamics of North-South partnerships.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to determine if the homogenization of NGO structures caused by donor requirements leads to higher effectiveness or if it hinders local developmental impact.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author applies institutional theory and a combined effectiveness measurement model based on four domains: management, programs, environment, and partnerships.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body details the types of isomorphism, defines the organizational field of NGOs, and evaluates the impacts of coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures on NGOs in Africa.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
Key terms include Isomorphism, Non-governmental organizations, Africa, Western donors, Institutional theory, and Organizational effectiveness.
How does the "audit culture" impact NGOs according to the text?
The text argues that audit culture forces NGOs to prioritize short-term reporting and financial compliance over long-term development goals, often undermining their responsiveness.
What is meant by the author's description of NGOs as "local managers of foreign aid money"?
This phrase highlights that many African NGOs have shifted their focus from leading local development processes to merely managing and reporting on funds provided by Western donors.
What suggestion does the author provide for improving NGO effectiveness?
The author suggests that a "middle course" is necessary, where NGOs resist excessive bureaucratization and maintain their visionary mission while negotiating for more freedom in project implementation.
- Citation du texte
- Stefanie Brandl (Auteur), 2015, In what way does isomorphism caused by western donors influence effectiveness of non-governmental organizations in Africa?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/322150
