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How Successful Transnational Non-governmental Organizations Set Themselves up for Failure on the Ground

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  • Balboa, Cristina M.

Abstract

This paper examines transnational non-governmental organization (TNGO) influence on global, national, or local policy arenas, as well as how a TNGO’s actions in one arena might aid or encumber its effectiveness in another. It expands Steinberg’s spheres of influence framework (2001, 2003) to create a new capacity typology. Through examining Conservation International’s work in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, this paper demonstrates the “paradox of global capacity”: a phenomenon where a TNGO prioritizes certain capacities that paradoxically grant it access to work at the local level while impeding its efforts to create lasting change there.

Suggested Citation

  • Balboa, Cristina M., 2014. "How Successful Transnational Non-governmental Organizations Set Themselves up for Failure on the Ground," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 273-287.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:54:y:2014:i:c:p:273-287
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.09.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Norman Myers & Russell A. Mittermeier & Cristina G. Mittermeier & Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca & Jennifer Kent, 2000. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6772), pages 853-858, February.
    2. Paul F. Steinberg, 2003. "Understanding Policy Change in Developing Countries: The Spheres of Influence Framework," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 3(1), pages 11-32, February.
    3. Lawrence F. Salmen & Eileen Kane, 2006. "Bridging Diversity : Participatory Learning for Responsive Development," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6992, April.
    4. Benjamin Cashore & Michael Howlett, 2007. "Punctuating Which Equilibrium? Understanding Thermostatic Policy Dynamics in Pacific Northwest Forestry," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 51(3), pages 532-551, July.
    5. Derick W. Brinkerhoff, 1999. "State‐Civil Society Networks For Policy Implementation In Developing Countries1," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 16(1), pages 123-147, March.
    6. Twose, Nigel, 1987. "European NGOs: Growth or partnership?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 15(1, Supple), pages 7-10.
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    1. Kuruppu, Sanjaya Chinthana & Lodhia, Sumit, 2019. "Disruption and transformation: The organisational evolution of an NGO," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    2. Cook, Nathan J. & Wright, Glenn D. & Andersson, Krister P., 2017. "Local Politics of Forest Governance: Why NGO Support Can Reduce Local Government Responsiveness," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 203-214.
    3. Burns, Sarah L. & Krott, Max & Sayadyan, Hovik & Giessen, Lukas, 2017. "The World Bank Improving Environmental and Natural Resource Policies: Power, Deregulation, and Privatization in (Post-Soviet) Armenia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 215-224.
    4. Gallemore, Caleb & Jespersen, Kristjan, 2016. "Transnational Markets for Sustainable Development Governance: The Case of REDD+," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 79-94.
    5. Chambers, Josephine M. & Massarella, Kate & Fletcher, Robert, 2022. "The right to fail? Problematizing failure discourse in international conservation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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