The Co-Evolution of Development Needs and IOR Form: Development by Committee in Bosnia

ABSTRACT

This work highlights opportunities and obstacles to success in four task forces typically found at different times in states of conflict, transition, and development. They include: refugee return, media issues, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and efforts to promote business development. Based on over 180 in-depth interviews and observations of dozens of meetings during five lengthy field research trips to the Bosnian region between 1999 and 2005, this manuscript analyzes how these four task forces differed in terms of context, strategy, organization, and management in an attempt to understand the co-evolution of international development needs and the interorganizational forms that address them.

Notes

For a more detailed account of the RRTF, see Martin and Miller (2003).

The OHR is the United Nations (UN) quasi-protectorate government in Bosnia. The High Representative is the highest authority in the land and is able to implement reforms and impose local activity.

For a more detailed account of the IAGP, see Martin (2004).

The RS is one of two “entities” in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The RS refers to the Bosnian Serb dominated Republika Srpska. The Federation is the Croat-Muslim entity, which is further broken down into Cantons. The complex governmental arrangement is a result of difficult compromises made in the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eric C. Martin

Eric C. Martin ([email protected]) is assistant professor of management in the Department of Business at Eastern Connecticut State University. His current research explores organization and management issues in international development assistance efforts and complex humanitarian emergencies in transitional and post-conflict countries.