NGO Support Research Articles

Humanitarian logistics: the role of logistics service providers

Purpose – In recent years, logistics service providers (LSPs) have become important players in the humanitarian field, providing support for NGOs and governments when they respond to major disasters. However, the academic literature on humanitarian logistics has not really explored the roles that LSPs play in relief supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of LSPs in humanitarian relief. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses a two-stage exploratory approach: first, it systematically reviews the humanitarian logistics literature to see the extent to which LSPs are taken into account. Then it analyses the web sites of leading LSPs to examine how they communicate about their role in humanitarian relief. Findings – This research produces some surprising findings. While the academic literature seems to neglect the roles of LSPs in humanitarian logistics, some major third-party firms highlight their roles in relief networks. A number of research propositions are presented de...

Impact of Lined Canal on Shallow Tubewell Irrigation and Their Acceptability by the Farmers

The comparative conveyance losses between lined and unlined canals, impact of water saving on command area development and irrigation cost, and farmers’ acceptability of lined canal in shallow tubewell (STW) irrigation schemes were studied during 2010-11 Boro season at three upazilas: Manikgonj Sadar of Manikgonj district, Dhamrai of Dhaka district and Mithapukur of Rangpur district. The conveyance loss was measured using inflow-outflow method and focus group discussion (FGD) was carried out with the pump owners and farmers to assess the impact of water saving on command area development and the acceptability of lined canal technology. Average conveyance losses were found to be 41, 48 and 45% in the existing earthen canals; 18, 21 and 24% in improved earthen canals; and 12, 11 and 13% in pre-cast canals at Mithapukur (M1), Manikgonj Sadar (M2) and Dhamrai (D) schemes, respectively. The water saving did not increase the command area in any of the schemes but reduced the irrigation time and saved fuel requirement for irrigation. On an average, 32, 23 and 30% fuel were saved by improved earthen canals where as 45, 46 and 48% were saved by pre-cast canals for M1, M2 and D schemes compared to earthen canal. The benefit-cost ratios of improved earthen canals were 1.36, 1.38 and 1.30 where as 3.36, 4.28 and 3.34 by pre-cast canals for M1, M2 and D schemes, respectively. The internal rate of return (IRR) from the investment on water distribution was over 50%. The lining technology was acceptable to pump owners, but did not impress the farmers who share the crop with the pump owners as price of irrigation or pay on the basis of irrigated area. In order to make the technology acceptable to the farmers, polices must be framed to share the benefits of lining by the pump owners with the farmers by reducing the price of irrigation water or through financial support of GO and NGOs for efficient use of STW irrigation system in Bangladesh.The Agriculturists 2014; 12(2) 116-125

Application of porter’s framework to assess aquaculture value chain in Kenya

Aquaculture (fish farming) is an agricultural as well as fisheries activity, competing with other agricultural enterprises and artisanal fisheries for the same basic inputs. Therefore, aquaculture is subject to the same basic resource constraints that traditional agricultural activities face. The literature suggests that competition within a value chain is between chains and not individual actors. This study examined the aquaculture value chain in Kenya, assessing the entire value chain, and determining the appropriate points to participate in economically sustainable ways. The competition analysis assessed attractiveness at each stage of the chain by reviewing the rivalry in terms of five competitive forces within the Kenyan aquaculture industry; competitive rivalry, the threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitutes and bargaining power of buyers. The aquaculture industry in Kenya is assessed using Porter’s model with marketing mix (Ps) and factor evaluation matrix (FEM). Input supply is found to be the most difficult value chain function in which to participate because it requires relatively large initial capital outlays and additional operating funds. Although fish farming is the driving function of the entire value chain, the significant capital investments required could be a barrier to entry. Fish farming has largely benefited from the support of government, NGOs and other regional development initiatives. The study established that the easiest sector to enter (in terms of low barriers to entry and exit and low labour requirements) is the fish marketing sector. This chain function provides the most flexibility and liquidity to participants, whether as full-time or part-time occupation. Overall, participation in the Kenya aquaculture value chain will depend on the prospective entrant’s level of experience, time, capital commitment and financial goal (long term stability versus liquidity). Aquaculture requires a long term commitment and high capital outlays, as well as persistence, and should therefore be considered by those looking for long term stability and not short term benefits. Established fish farmers may consider diversifying into input supply and value addition as well. Key words: Kenya, aquaculture, tilapia, value chain

The Current HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies—Widely Outsmarted by Omitting Realities: A Socio-Critical Analysis in the Context of Powerless Law, Ethics and Asymmetric Interpretation of Human Rights

The HIV pandemic seems to be fading to some degree—but there are regional exceptions. The current liberal prevention strategy with programs aimed at risk reduction interventions in particular for sexual behavior and injecting drug use has been expanded by antiretroviral treatment approaches. It was expected to keep the prevalence of infectious individuals below a certain threshold to curb self-sustaining chains of HIV infections. The introduction of biomedical approaches by ART/HAART with regard to practicing risk reduction behavior has been received as an exemption of responsibility by certain populations who are defined as “at-risk” population. Certain parts of the hard-to-reach, high-risk population have returned to unsafe sex practices leading to careless behavior which in turn has promoted the spread of HIV. This is supported by modern trends in risk societies where with regard to HIV basic principles of ethics and tenets of the Human Rights like “don’t harm other people” have lost any normative power. In addition, with the support of NGOs, legal norms such as protecting the “bodily integrity of individuals” have been ignored, allowing the “passing of HIV to partners” to become socially acceptable behavior. As a whole, in defiance of the endeavors of prevention applied so far, certain societies are exposed to an ongoing spread of HIV.

Pond Fish Farming under NGO Support and Individual Management: A Comparative Socioeconomic Study

The study was conducted to compare the profitability of fish farming under NGO support and individual management and to evaluate the overall impact of NGO intervention on farmers’ income. A total of 120 farmers (60 for own management and 60 for NGO support) were selected following random sampling technique for data collection from both Mymensingh and Tangail District. The data were collected through direct interview from the selected fish farmers. Data were analyzed with a combination of tabular and functional analysis. The BCR was 1.9 for own management and 2.4 for NGO supported pond fish farming which shows that the fish farming is more profitable under NGO support. The Ravallion test results showed that the income was increased by the amount of Tk. 32500 due to NGO’s intervention. Cobb-Douglas production function analysis was done to determine the effects of variables on pond fish production. Out of six variables, three variables in case of own management and four variables in case of NGO support had significant impact on per acre output of fish production. The results of the efficiency computation indicated that labour, feed and lime and medicine were being underutilized and fingerlings and irrigation were being over utilized for own managed pond. Under NGO supported pond, labour, fingerlings and lime and medicine were being underutilized and feed and irrigation were being over utilized. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19584 The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 75-84

THE CONTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA.

This study was aimed at identifying and examining the various supports for secondary school education by the government and NGOs in Benin City. Out of the fifteen (15) experiencing government refurbishment in Edo State, 4 are in Benin metropolis and all 4 were sampled. 40 questionnaires were administered (10 for each school). The results of the investigation carried out using percentage distribution and Chi Square Testing. The contributions of both Government and NGO were responsible for the positive improvement in the educational system in Benin City and in Nigeria since independence, although NGO support have not really been significant. The Planning, Research and Statistic Department of Post Primary Education Board and that of the Ministry of Education in the state should carry out the actual counting of schools and their staffs as well as students in the school so that they can be suitably used for planning.

Revising the Regulations on Social Organizations

Abstract This paper is the first from the “Salon Series on the Creation of Legislation on the Right of Association and Social Organizations”. This was a series of salons jointly hosted by Tsinghua University’s ngo Research Center, the Philanthropy and ngo Support Center, and the editorial office of the China Nonprofit Review. In 2013, China’s three main sets of regulations on social organizations are all to undergo major revisions. This is part of the requirements laid out in the State Council Institutional Reform and Transformation of Functions Plan. But what is the thinking behind these revisions? Just what connection do the revisions to these regulations have to the legislation process to create a basic law for social organizations and the formulation of a law on the right of association? These were the kinds of questions that formed the discussion on which this paper is based. Four experts came together during this salon to explore the context for the revision to the three sets of regulations, the necessity of these revisions, the level of difficulty in making the revisions, and the fundamental problems that may be faced. They call for the government to guarantee that social organizations will become genuine entities in their own right, to guarantee the separation of the functions of the government from those of social organizations, and to create the right conditions within which a basic law for social organizations may become a reality.

The Thinking behind the Creation of a Basic Law for Social Organizations

Abstract This paper is the second from the “Salon Series on the Creation of Legislation on the Right of Association and Social Organizations”. This was a series of salons jointly hosted by Tsinghua University’s ngo Research Center, the Philanthropy and ngo Support Center, and the editorial office of the China Nonprofit Review. The formulation of a basic law on social organizations is an important issue for China’s social sector, and particularly for the social organization sector. It is also one of the conditions necessary for a transformation in the way social organizations are managed, from the current form of governance, which is achieved through administrative regulations, to management by ‘rule of law’ in the truest sense. Recently, in academic circles, many different lines of thought have developed about the formulation of a basic law for social organizations, including the argument for ‘governance through administrative law’, which adopts a public law perspective; the argument for ‘special civil laws’, which approaches the question from the perspective of private law; and the argument for a ‘combination of legal forms’. This paper explores the content of a basic law, as well as the objectives, nature of and skills involved in formulating such a law. It examines the necessity and feasibility of creating such legislation, and the key ideas that need to be transformed during the legislative process. At the same time, the paper considers the differences between this and the thinking behind other legislation such as the charity law.

Legislating on the Right of Association: A Realistic Way Forward

Abstract This paper is the third from the “Salon Series on the Creation of Legislation on the Right of Association and Social Organizations”. This was a series of salons jointly hosted by Tsinghua University’s ngo Research Center, the Philanthropy and ngo Support Center, and the editorial office of the China Nonprofit Review. Discussion about the creation of legislation on the right of association began in China during the 1980s, at which time a bill was drawn up, but for various reasons, both political and social, the bill was never passed. This paper discusses the fundamental nature of the right of association and the feasibility and necessity of establishing legislation on this right in the China of today. It ponders the different ways in which the right of association may be enshrined in law, looking at the scattering of legal provisions throughout numerous pieces of legislation (in a multi-legislative model) in contrast with the method of spelling out of the right of association in one or more centralized laws (in a centralized legislative model). The paper also explores the relationship between the formulation of a basic law for social organizations and legislating on the right of association. It was unanimous amongst the experts speaking at the salon upon which this paper is based that establishing a law on the right of association would be an important hallmark of China’s process in developing stronger rule of law, and that it is a sine qua non for achieving constitutionalism and advancing the implementation of the Constitution.

Corporate Social Responsibility - Sustainability and Profitability

In present, the image of a company, its corporative identity became of a fundamental importance. An organization has to show transparency and correctness, in our time is not enough to perform only a high quality product, moreover, organization must prove it is also a good corporative “citizen”. There is no doubt that many of the actions of some major corporations have shown the worst side of commercial operation, whether this has been in the form of social or environmental operation or through manipulation conducting to major financial catastrophes that have harmed a lot at all levels of society. For this reason, there has been a growth in support for NGOs that have set their sights on raising awareness and stopping exploitation of any natural resources, using any and all means to further their special cause irrespective of the impacts on others in society, even the business community.

Transforming the social capital of the urban poor: Lessons from Kisumu, Kenya

Large-scale organisations of the urban poor (OUP) are needed for greater influence in urban governance. However, where contexts are non-enabling for large-scale organisations to develop, external support may be needed. Past NGO support for building social capital has been heavily criticised for failing to address its darker side, while new forms of OUP supported by urban poor federations have been cited as more inclusive, representative organisations. This study compares NGO- and slum-dwellers’ federation-supported OUPs in Kisumu, Kenya, and finds evidence that development partners should seek to scale-up existing social capital while ensuring that networks formed are transformative for marginalised identities.

What does high and low have to do with it? Performance classification to identify health system factors associated with effective prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV delivery in Mozambique

IntroductionEfforts to implement and take to scale highly efficacious, low-cost interventions to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (pMTCT) have been a cornerstone of reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa for over a decade. Yet efforts to increase access and utilization of these services remain far from optimal. This study developed and applied an approach to systematically classify pMTCT performance to identify modifiable health system factors associated with pMTCT performance which may be replicated in other pMTCT systems.MethodsFacility-level performance measures were collected at 30 sites over a 12-month period and reviewed for consistency. Five combinations of three indicators (1. HIV testing; 2. CD4 testing; 3. antiretroviral prophylaxis and combined antiretroviral therapy initiation) were compared including a composite of all three, a combination of 1. and 3., and each individually. Approaches were visually assessed to describe facility performance, focusing on rank order consistency across high, medium and low categories. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors were ascertained at each site and ranking process was reviewed to estimate association with facility performance through unadjusted Chi-square tests and logistic regression. After describing factors associated with high versus low performing pMTCT clinics, the effect of inclusion of the 10 middle performers was assessed.ResultsThe indicator most consistently associated with the reference composite indicator (HIV testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis and combined antiretroviral therapy) was the single measure of antiretroviral prophylaxis and combined antiretroviral therapy. Lower performing pMTCT clinics ranked consistently low across measurement strategies; high and middle performing clinics demonstrated more variability. Association between clinic characteristics and high pMTCT performance varied markedly across ranking strategies. Using the reference composite indicator, larger catchment area, higher number of institutional deliveries, onsite CD4 point-of-care capacity, and higher numbers of nurses and doctors were associated with high clinic performance while clinic location, NGO support, women's support group, community linkages patient-tracking systems and stock-outs were not associated with high performance.ConclusionsClassifying high and low performance provided consistent results across ranking measures, though granularity was improved by aggregating middle performers with either high or low performers. Human resources, catchment size and utilization were positively associated with effective pMTCT service delivery.

IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPERT TRAINING ISSUES OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

In this paper, the authors present the issues of introduction of inclusive education and training in this area. Based on the results of the study, the problems of inclusive education and socialization of children with special educational needs and their solutions are covered in this article. In the matter of implementation of inclusive education authors of the paper, giving special importance to training and retraining of teachers, they are designed for the undergraduate curriculum on “Theory and practice of inclusive education” for all teaching specialties . Also it presents the results of a study conducted in the framework of the “Education for All” organized by the Armenian State Pedagogical University named after Kh. Abovyan, with the support of NGO’s “Bridge of Hope” and “Mission East” as well as with the cooperation of international experts, professors of the University of Oulu in Finland, Tom Vilpola and Marco Kielineni.

Is Amazon nut certification a solution for increased smallholder empowerment in Peruvian Amazonia?

The certification of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was introduced in the early 2000s as a means of promoting sustainable community forestry and smallholders' access to profitable niche markets. Several studies have been carried out to analyze the success of smallholder certification, with a focus on its feasibility, compliance with sustainability standards and livelihoods effects. Much less attention has been given to certification as a process that promotes the empowerment and inclusion of small producers in natural resource management. Based on a study of three Amazon nut (Bertholletia excelsa) certifications (Forest Stewardship Council, organic and Fairtrade) carried out in Madre de Dios, Peru, in 2008 and 2010 this paper aims to fill part of the gap by assessing five empowerment outcomes of Amazon nut certification schemes nearly a decade after their introduction. The findings show that certification enhances producers' political empowerment (having a voice based on representation and social organization and increased self-confidence in one's ability to effect change) by increasing their organizational capacity and managerial know-how. However, limited demand, monetary benefits and economic viability are major constraints on their economic empowerment (increased assets and capabilities that enable them to benefit from new opportunities and freedom to make economic decisions). The authors argue that only stronger social organization will enable certification to break the hierarchical economic structures that disadvantage producers and prevent their replacement with new dependencies on donor and NGO support.

Civil szervezetek program- és jogalkotásban való részvételének egyes kérdései Magyarországon

Among the tools of including the concerned elements of society into the decision making processes the government operating since 2010 rather prefers the non-legal ones (i.e. those which do not constitute direct obligations for the government); rather solutions outside of the legal system are put into focus. Therefore the so-called national consultation, which – among others, such as sectoral, professional and other negotiating forums – introduced in Hungary a previously unknown political technique: within two years – in ordinary mail – each citizen received two surveys with possible answers to choose from, furthermore, – as a method not really used before in Hungary – an information booklet was sent to all citizens with the right to vote which presented the newest pieces of legislation.Looking beyond political slogans and pathetic forms it may be well observed that the government expects from the method of crowdsourcing – which may be considered traditional in other countries – as well as from different online consultations and the introduction of new means (surfaces) of information the establishment and deepening of discussion (cooperation) with society. Among the new means of information we shall mention that the government of Hungary created its websites civil.kormany.hu and kozhasznusag.kormany.hu related to the civil sector (in broader sense about legislation related to the civil sector). The websites – according to the intentions of the government– are part of the process of changing the attitude aimed at with the new act on the civil sector (Act CLXXV of 2011 on right of association, non-profit status, operation and support of NGOs), through which the government wishes to establish transparent connections with the civil sector.In Article 7 of the new Act CXXX of 2010 on legislation the two basic form of social compromise are described, general negotiation and direct negotiation. The former one provides opportunity for sharing opinion on the website of the organisation publishing concepts, drafts (in a way which obliges the organisation which asks for the opinion, e.g. through confirmation obligation or through preparing summaries on the merits), while the latter one allows the concerned minister to directly request persons and organisations to give opinion. A specific form of direct negotiation – creating obligations on the side of the minister – is the institution of strategic partnership, the framework of which is settled in a thorough agreement. One material weakness of the regulation, however, is that Article 13 paragraph (2) of the act only lists in an exemplary way those with whom such partnership may be concluded, by mentioning forms of organisations (e.g. church, trade union, civil organisation).

Are the non‐governmental organizations' web sites effective?

PurposeThis study explores non‐governmental organizations' (NGOs') web sites to determine the extent the web site facilities information quality, system quality and service quality in relation to target audiences.Design/methodology/approachIn order to evaluate the current status of information quality, system quality and service quality on the internet, the research utilizes a content analysis of an international sample of NGOs associated to United Nations.FindingsThis paper provides useful information on some international NGOs' web sites. In this line of work, results indicate that the web site offers a new communication medium with which to maximize support for NGOs and enhance business performance through higher cost‐effectiveness and a more practical manner in which to carry out their tasks. However, the results of this research show that the most web sites have an average effectiveness when communicating interactively. Additionally, this paper provides evidence of current web site effectiveness and advice for its improvement in a specific social sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study is the sample size and nature because the research has only included some NGOs associated to United Nations, which may bias results. Therefore, other non‐profit organizations whose target audiences are different will be dealt with in future research.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to improving the effectiveness of NGOs' web site bidirectional communication with users, enhancing the quality of the exchange between organization and target audience.Originality/valueThis work aims to help international NGOs improve the interactivity of web site communication through practical advice. Furthermore, this study is an attempt to fill the research gap on the evaluation about the quality web site design of NGOs.

Certification of a Community-based Forest Enterprise for Improving Institutional Management and Household Income: A Case from Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Forest certification for community-based forest management was designed to strengthen an area’s forestry functions while simultaneously alleviating poverty by developing the existing community forest. It is fundamental for forest certification to maintain the economic benefits for certified local sellers and balance conservation goals with increasing local incomes. This study explores how FSC certification of a community-based forest enterprise in Southeast Sulawesi in Indonesia could improve effectively field situations of community forest management and strengthen local peoples’ financial benefits and social perceptions towards conserving forests. FSC group certification was introduced in the area of teak community forest of several villages in 2005. Because of local strong interest in group certification, the size of certified forests, the number of group certification members and the amount of certified wood harvested gradually increased. The support of a local NGO and an international NGO contributed towards successful establishment of group certification and establishment of a small-scale forestry enterprise producing certified wood in a sustainable manner. These NGOs played important roles in establishing strong relationships between producers and consumers, strengthening local forest management institutions, and promising social and economic benefits to the local people.

The politics of testing in South Africa

This article considers the politics of adoption of a testing regime in South Africa. While the broad features of this regime are similar to those in developed countries, there are features specific to the South African context. These emerge from a combination of external and internal pressures. External pressures derive from international testing results and target-setting regimes of international agencies. Internal pressures arise from the arrival of the ‘evaluative state’ and ‘quasi-market’ in schooling in South Africa, the abandonment of outcomes-based education which created the space for reintroduction of traditional forms of testing, public political pressure as well as teacher, teacher union and education NGO support for testing. To date the result has been the emergence of a hybrid system in which the purposes of standardized tests at primary levels are primarily informative and diagnostic, providing a rationale for teacher development and textual resource interventions. Information is considered as enhancing the public right to know rather than competition between schools. Multiple forms of assessment are retained and have not been displaced by standardized tests. The jury is out on whether the interventions introduced will have the desired results or not.

Modelling strategic interventions in a population with a total fertility rate of 8.3: a cross-sectional study of Idjwi Island, DRC.

BackgroundIdjwi, an island of approximately 220,000 people, is located in eastern DRC and functions semi-autonomously under the governance of two kings (mwamis). At more than 8 live births per woman, Idjwi has one of the highest total fertility rates (TFRs) in the world. Rapid population growth has led to widespread environmental degradation and food insecurity. Meanwhile family planning services are largely unavailable.MethodsAt the invitation of local leaders, we conducted a representative survey of 2,078 households in accordance with MEASURE DHS protocols, and performed ethnographic interviews and focus groups with key informants and vulnerable subpopulations. Modelling proximate determinates of fertility, we evaluated how the introduction of contraceptives and/or extended periods of breastfeeding could reduce the TFR.ResultsOver half of all women reported an unmet need for spacing or limiting births, and nearly 70% named a specific modern method of contraception they would prefer to use; pills (25.4%) and injectables (26.5%) were most desired. We predicted that an increased length of breastfeeding (from 10 to 21 months) or an increase in contraceptive prevalence (from 1% to 30%), or a combination of both could reduce TFR on Idjwi to 6, the average desired number of children. Increasing contraceptive prevalence to 15% could reduce unmet need for contraception by 8%.ConclusionsTo meet women’s need and desire for fertility control, we recommend adding family planning services at health centers with NGO support, pursuing a community health worker program, promoting extended breastfeeding, and implementing programs to end sexual- and gender-based violence toward women.

Analysis of Chinese Grassroots AIDS Prevention NGOs’ Organizational Compliance and Development Strategies —Working from the Example of the Shanghai YAPSC

Abstract In present-day China, very few grassroots AIDS prevention NGOs – local social organizations that are active in the field of AIDS prevention work – have completed registration with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Before the appearance of the Shanghai Youth AIDS Prevention Service Center (hereafter, the Shanghai YAPSC), there had been no successful examples of AIDS prevention NGOs dealing primarily with the social group of men who have sex with men (MSM) registering with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This essay examines the procedure by which the organization came into compliance with the law and its development strategy. We believe that China’s grassroots AIDS prevention NGOs will soon see new, historical opportunities for development. Taking the Shanghai Municipal Government as representative of local governments’ support for grassroots AIDS prevention NGOs, we see that governments’ attitudes towards transformative, constructive cooperation with social organizations have already made important strides forward. The Shanghai YAPSC has used compliance to encourage professionalized, standardized development, providing a model for the development of Chinese grassroots AIDS prevention NGOs.