Journal article
The reputation trap of NGO accountability
International theory, Vol.7(3), pp.426-463
11/2015
DOI: 10.1017/S1752971915000159
Abstract
Can concerns for one’s reputation cause non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to alter their behavior to the detriment of achieving their policy goals? To answer this question, we explore the relationship between NGOs and their donors. Our theoretical model reveals that reputation can be a key piece of information in the decision to fund an NGO’s activities. Reputation can become so important to the NGO’s survival that it interferes with the long-term policy goals of the organization. As such, reputations can become a double-edged sword, simultaneously providing the information donors seek while constraining NGOs from realizing policy goals. We apply this logic to the problem of NGO accountability, which has received increasing attention in recent years, and demonstrate that the tools used by donors to improve accountability can trigger unintended consequences. We illustrate this strategic dynamic with two types of NGO activity: water improvement and international crisis mediation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The reputation trap of NGO accountability
- Creators
- Stephen E Gent - Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USAMark J. C Crescenzi - Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USAElizabeth J Menninga - Department of Political Science, University of Iowa, IA, USALindsay Reid - Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International theory, Vol.7(3), pp.426-463
- DOI
- 10.1017/S1752971915000159
- ISSN
- 1752-9719
- eISSN
- 1752-9727
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK
- Number of pages
- 38
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2015
- Academic Unit
- International Programs; Center for Social Science Innovation; Political Science
- Record Identifier
- 9983921853102771
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