Abstract
Abstract This paper seeks to contribute to the emerging stream of literature on NGO accountability by drawing on the theoretical assertions of the problematics of accountability. It discusses how accountability has become problematic for NGOs by examining how these problems are created and how NGOs subsequently respond. Drawing on in-depth interview data complemented by extensive documentary analysis, we explore the accountability experiences of Muslim NGOs operating in the UK. We highlight how specific accountability regimes are influenced by the prevailing political, social and economic context within which they operate. We suggest this has caused Muslim NGOs to become ‘exposed’ organisations where demands for accountability, framed by security and counter-terror concerns, are limiting their ability to be accountable. Utilising insight from Kearns (1994) we explain how Muslim NGOs respond to these problems. We find engagement with discretionary accountability tactics allow the NGOs to gain trust of stakeholders, whilst strategic change processes help the NGOs to anticipate and negotiate heightened accountability demands. We discuss the implications of our findings for both theory and practice.
Highlights
Increasing attention has been paid to the issue of accountability in non-governmental organisations [NGOs] over recent years (Agyemang, O’Dwyer, Unerman, & Awumbila, 2017; Ebrahim, 2003a, 2003b, 2005; Edwards & Hulmes, 1996; Goddard & Assad, 2006; Hall & O’Dwyer, 2018; Lehman, 2007; O’Dwyer & Unerman, 2007, 2008)
Utilising insight from Kearns (1994) we explain what effect these external pressures are having upon the internal responses of Muslim NGOs. Due to this exposure, Muslim NGOs are engaging with various anticipatory and negotiated tactics to deal with these heightened accountability demands
We describe the specific ‘problematics of accountability’ that Muslim NGOs are facing and argue that formal compliance with Charity Commission requirements is no longer enough in terms of establishing the legitimacy of their activities
Summary
Increasing attention has been paid to the issue of accountability in non-governmental organisations [NGOs] over recent years (Agyemang, O’Dwyer, Unerman, & Awumbila, 2017; Ebrahim, 2003a, 2003b, 2005; Edwards & Hulmes, 1996; Goddard & Assad, 2006; Hall & O’Dwyer, 2018; Lehman, 2007; O’Dwyer & Unerman, 2007, 2008). Butler, 2005; Joannides, 2012; McKernan, 2012; Messner, 2009; Roberts, 2009, 2018) argue for an intelligent accountability (Roberts, 2009, 2018) and suggest that more accountability is not always unambiguously desirable. It has been argued that in certain contexts, additional demands for accountability ‘can become so great as to become ethically problematic’ for the organisations expected to give an account This is an important insight for NGO accountability, because it acknowledges the ethical implications of greater accountability demands and the possible detrimental impact
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