Book chapter
Exploring Barriers to Coordination between Humanitarian NGOs: A Comparative Case Study of Two NGO’s Information Technology Coordination Bodies
Information Systems and Modern Society: Social Change and Global Development, pp.87-112
IGI Global
02/28/2013
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2922-6.ch006
Abstract
Humanitarian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly collaborating through inter-organizational structures such as coalitions, alliances, partnerships, and coordination bodies. NGO’s information technology coordination bodies are groups of NGOs aimed at improving the efficiency of ICT use in humanitarian assistance through greater coordination. Despite their popularity, little is known about these coordination bodies, specifically the extent to which they address inter-organizational coordination problems. This paper examines coordination problems within two humanitarian NGO’s information technology coordination bodies. Based on data collected through interviews, observation, and document analysis, despite positive attitudes toward coordination by members, seven of eight widely accepted barriers to coordination still exist among members of these coordination bodies. Further, in a comparison of mandate-oriented, structural and behavioral coordination barriers, research finds mandate issues were most significant and structural factors were found in the greatest numbers. Findings suggest that effective humanitarian NGO’s information technology coordination bodies must pay attention to both organizational design and management issues, although the former are likely to have a greater impact on coordination.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Exploring Barriers to Coordination between Humanitarian NGOs: A Comparative Case Study of Two NGO’s Information Technology Coordination Bodies
- Creators
- Louis-Marie Ngamassi Tchouakeu - Prairie View A&M UniversityEdgar Maldonado - Pennsylvania State UniversityKang Zhao - University of Iowa, Business AnalyticsHarold Robinson - Pennsylvania State UniversityCarleen Maitland - Pennsylvania State UniversityAndrea H Tapia - Pennsylvania State University
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Information Systems and Modern Society: Social Change and Global Development, pp.87-112
- Publisher
- IGI Global
- DOI
- 10.4018/978-1-4666-2922-6.ch006
- Number of pages
- 26
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/28/2013
- Academic Unit
- Business Analytics
- Record Identifier
- 9984380432202771
Metrics
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