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Translating principles of adaptability and flexibility into practice: The case of Swedish Strategic Partnership Organizations' development cooperation with the Eastern Partnership

Matmusaeva, Lola LU (2020) MIDM19 20211
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
The donor community has increasingly acknowledged the principles of adaptability and flexibility as part of promoting development cooperation effectiveness. However, limited research has investigated the implementation of these principles, particularly by intermediary civil society organizations (CSOs). Wishing to address these gaps, this thesis examines the implementation of the principles by Swedish Strategic Partnership Organizations (SPOs) in their development cooperation to the Eastern Partnership countries. Through a qualitative case study design, the study captures perspectives and experiences of SPOs, but also of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and, most importantly, of Local Partnership... (More)
The donor community has increasingly acknowledged the principles of adaptability and flexibility as part of promoting development cooperation effectiveness. However, limited research has investigated the implementation of these principles, particularly by intermediary civil society organizations (CSOs). Wishing to address these gaps, this thesis examines the implementation of the principles by Swedish Strategic Partnership Organizations (SPOs) in their development cooperation to the Eastern Partnership countries. Through a qualitative case study design, the study captures perspectives and experiences of SPOs, but also of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and, most importantly, of Local Partnership Organizations, who have been underrepresented in analogous research. Using the adapted contingency theory, the study concludes that implementation of the principles takes place within existing trust patterns and accountability practices. Low trust leads to limited flexibility and adaptability, while upward accountability creates tension between the two in favor of flexibility. The thesis also finds that flexibility and adaptability conditions do not translate equally into local partnerships due to four reasons: Sida’s lack of risk-sharing, SPOs’ strategic status, focus on upward accountability, and different trust levels. These findings provide valuable insights both for researchers and practitioners on how effectiveness principles are translated into practice. (Less)
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author
Matmusaeva, Lola LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
adaptability, development effectiveness, contingency theory, Eastern Partnership, flexibility, Swedish development cooperation, partnerships in development cooperation, CSO intermediaries, Strategic Partnership Organizations, Sweden
language
English
id
9062853
date added to LUP
2021-09-09 09:42:54
date last changed
2021-09-10 09:03:32
@misc{9062853,
  abstract     = {{The donor community has increasingly acknowledged the principles of adaptability and flexibility as part of promoting development cooperation effectiveness. However, limited research has investigated the implementation of these principles, particularly by intermediary civil society organizations (CSOs). Wishing to address these gaps, this thesis examines the implementation of the principles by Swedish Strategic Partnership Organizations (SPOs) in their development cooperation to the Eastern Partnership countries. Through a qualitative case study design, the study captures perspectives and experiences of SPOs, but also of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and, most importantly, of Local Partnership Organizations, who have been underrepresented in analogous research. Using the adapted contingency theory, the study concludes that implementation of the principles takes place within existing trust patterns and accountability practices. Low trust leads to limited flexibility and adaptability, while upward accountability creates tension between the two in favor of flexibility. The thesis also finds that flexibility and adaptability conditions do not translate equally into local partnerships due to four reasons: Sida’s lack of risk-sharing, SPOs’ strategic status, focus on upward accountability, and different trust levels. These findings provide valuable insights both for researchers and practitioners on how effectiveness principles are translated into practice.}},
  author       = {{Matmusaeva, Lola}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Translating principles of adaptability and flexibility into practice: The case of Swedish Strategic Partnership Organizations' development cooperation with the Eastern Partnership}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}