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Abstract
In international development, shared ownership is assumed to be a condition for effectiveness. Academic studies question this relation, claiming shared ownership can instead lead to ineffectiveness. This study analysed the interplay between ownership and effectiveness in a transnational advocacy network for conflict prevention observed 2012–2015. Building on recent discussions about balancing unity and diversity in networks, this article unpacks the ownership/effectiveness relationship into three dimensions: collective identity, accountability processes and a shared advocacy message. We find that the question is not about more or less effectiveness, but about the processes shaping the meaning of effectiveness in particular institutional constellations.
Acknowledgements
The researchers are grateful for the openness and cooperation of GPPAC staff, members and partners, especially its director, Peter van Tuijl, and its evaluation manager, Paul Kosterink. The findings are part of a PhD research project supported by the Netherlands Scientific Council (NWO-WOTRO Science for Global Development). Special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Barrett for many helpful suggestions and language editing.
Notes
1. OECD, Accra Agenda for Action, 1–4.
2. Richmond, “Beyond Local Ownership,” 354–75; Reich, “‘Local Ownership’ in Conflict Transformation,” 1–41.
3. OECD, Paris Declaration; Accra Agenda for Action; Busan Partnership.
4. Richmond, “Beyond Local Ownership,” 354–6; Reich, “‘Local Ownership,’” 6–8.
5. UN, Transforming our World, 28.
6. Henry et al., “Networks as Transnational Agents,” 839.
7. Katz and Anheier, “Global Connectedness,”247; Hudson, “NGOs’ Transnational Advocacy Networks,” 335.
8. Wong, Internal Affairs, 74–83; Saz-Carranza, Uniting Diverse Organisations, 56–67.
9. Keck and Sikkink, Activists Beyond Borders, 1.
10. Wong, Internal Affairs, 56–9; Saz-Carranza, Uniting Diverse Organisations, 64–82.
11. See: OECD DAC, Criteria for Evaluating Development Assistance, 1991; 2005.
12. See: ICAI, ICAI’s Approach to Effectiveness; DFID, DFID’s Approach to Value for Money; Yogita et al., Output-based Aid; World Bank, Results-based Financing.
13. Riddell, “Does Foreign Aid Really Work?,” 1.
14. Korten, “Third Generation NGO Strategies,” 145–7; Richmond, “Beyond Local Ownership,” 354, 358; Eyben and Savage, “Emerging and Submerging Powers,” 467.
15. Eyben, “Supporting Inclusive Democratic Ownership,” 3.
16. Faust, “Policy Experiments.” 516.
17. Ibid., 516, 530; Booth, “Aid Effectiveness,” 553.
18. Donais, “Empowerment or Imposition?,” 7–8; Reich, “‘Local Ownership’ in Conflict Transformation,” 5–16.
19. Fowler, “Changing the Rules of the Game,” 5.
20. Reich, “‘Local Ownership’ in Conflict Transformation,” 6–8.
21. Richmond, “Beyond Local Ownership,” 354–7.
22. See also: Marston, “Social Construction of Scale.”
23. Chambers, “Professionals and the Powerless,” 14.
24. Donais, “Empowerment or Imposition?”; Reich, “‘Local Ownership’ in Conflict Transformation.”
25. Riddell, “Does Foreign Aid Really Work?,” 1, 39–41; Eyben et al., Politics of Evidence and Results, 1–19.
26. Provan and Kenis, “Modes of Network Governance,” 229; Chambers, “Professionals and the Powerless,” 14.
27. Hoskyns, “Gender and Transnational Democracy,” 80; Shawki, “Organisational Structure and Strength,” 111–3.
28. Saz-Carranza, Uniting Diverse Organisations, 3–14.
29. Hoskyns, “Gender and Transnational Democracy,” 80.
30. Wong, Internal Affairs, 54.
31. Saz-Carranza, Uniting Diverse Organisations, 57.
32. Saz-Carranza and Ospina, “Behavioural Dimension,” 30.
33. Provan et al., “Interorganizational Networks,” 505.
34. Gamson, “Messages of Exclusion,” 27.
35. Jasper and Polletta, “Collective Identity and Social Movements,” 183–4; Hunt and Benford, “Collective Identity,” 437–41.
36. Ebrahim, “Making Sense of Accountability,” 194.
37. Ibid., 198.
38. Richmond, “Beyond Local Ownership,” 361.
39. Jordan and Van Tuijl, “Political Responsibility,” 2052.
40. See: Barrett et al., Advocacy for Development; Arensman et al., MFS II Joint Evaluation.
41. Marcus, “Ethnography in/of the World System,” 95.
42. Interview with network director, 2013.
43. Interview with network member, 2014.
44. Keck and Sikkink, Activists Beyond Borders, 1.
45. GPPAC Internal Strategic Plan.
46. Interview with network member, 2012.
47. Interview with regional representative, 2014.
48. Interview with programme manager, 2013.
49. Interview with programme manager, 2013.
50. Interview with programme manager, 2012.
51. Interviews with programme manager, 2013; meetings with evaluation manager, 2012/2013.
52. Interview with programme manager, 2013.
53. Interview with programme manager, 2013.
54. Interview with progamme manager, 2014.
55. Interviews with global members, 2013 and programme staff, 2014.
56. Interview with regional representative, 2013.
57. Network members during an internal meeting, 2013.
58. Interview with programme manager, 2014.
59. Interview with network director, 2014.