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‘CAPACITY BUILDING’ AS A PUBLIC MANAGEMENT GOAL - Myth, magic or the main chance?

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  • Jenny Harrow

Abstract

The concept of ‘capacity building’ is explored, through illustration and critique of the concept's development in the international, national and local community literature. Theoretical strands where the concept belongs partially include community development theory, agency theory and stewardship theory. The concept is examined in the context of new public management thinking, and its discovery by professionals to enhance their community roles is highlighted. Findings from micro-level case study research among local community organizations are reported, suggesting organizational scepticism about its meaning and outcomes, and producing a preliminary typology of organizations' responses to the concept. The article concludes that the concept appears theoretically homeless. It emphasizes the need for clarification of the concept's multiple meanings, so that the chances of useful evaluation of publicly funded capacity building programmes may be enhanced.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Harrow, 2001. "‘CAPACITY BUILDING’ AS A PUBLIC MANAGEMENT GOAL - Myth, magic or the main chance?," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(2), pages 209-230, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:3:y:2001:i:2:p:209-230
    DOI: 10.1080/14616670010029593
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    1. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 2008. "Theory of the firm: managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," RAE - Revista de Administração de Empresas, FGV-EAESP Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (Brazil), vol. 48(2), April.
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    1. Mia Arp Fallov, 2010. "Community Capacity Building as the Route to Inclusion in Neighbourhood Regeneration?," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 789-804, December.
    2. Pradip Kumar Sarker & Md Saifur Rahman & Lukas Giessen, 2019. "Regional economic regimes and the environment: stronger institutional design is weakening environmental policy capacity of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 19-52, February.

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