Collaboration Among HIV/AIDS Non-Governmental Organizations in South Africa Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
Collaboration Among HIV/AIDS Non-Governmental Organizations in South Africa
By Rebecca Gittelson
This research takes a qualitative approach to exploring the factors that impact collaboration
among non-govermnental organizations (NGOs). This study applies resource dependence theory,
political theory, and institutional theory to the examination of inter-organizational interactions
among HIV/AIDS NGOs in South Africa. Eighteen NGO representatives and five experts on
civil society and HIV/AIDS are included in the sample. The findings demonstrate that NGOs
collaborate in response to two simultaneous factors: pressure from funders to collaborate, and a
need to fill a gap in service or advocacy provision within a competitive funding environment.
The policy environment was found to not have a direct impact on the level of collaboration
among NGOs. Findings also show that fragmentation among funding organizations leads to a
lack of collaboration among NGOs and subsequent service duplication. Based on these results, a
series of policy reccomendations intended to increase collaboration among NGOs is provided for
use by funding organizations and NGOs.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………….......…1

CHAPTER ONE: SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT………………………………………………3

CHAPTER TWO: THEORIES, HYPOTHESES, AND VARIABLES…………………...…….10

CHAPTER THREE: DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTS………………………………….……19

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS…………………………………………………………………..26

CHAPTER FIVE: POLICY IMPLICATIONS…………………………………………………..41

CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUDING COMMENTS……………………………………………….47


TABLES
Table 1: NGOs interviewed by number and type………………………………………………26
Table 2: NGOs by location and level of collaboration………………………………………….38
Table 3: NGOs by size and level of collaboration………………………………………………39
Table 4: NGOs by year founded and level of collaboration…………………………………….40

FIGURES
Figure 1a: Resource Dependence Theory-Competitive Resource Environment Hypothesis…12
Figure 1b: Resource Dependence Theory-Service Provision Hypothesis……………………..12
Figure 2: Political Hypothesis……………………………………………………………………14
Figure 3a: Institutional Theory-Mandate Hypothesis………………………………………….15
Figure 3b: Insitutional Theory-Isomorphism Hypothesis……………………………………...16
Figure 4: Levels of Collaboration………………………………………………………………..21
Figure 5: Operational Collaboration Spectrum…………………………………………………..21
Figure 6: Combined effects of resource dependence theory (hypothesis 1b) and institutional
theory (hypothesis 3a) on NGO collaboration…………………………………………………27
Figure 7: Isomorphic impact of funding field on HIV/AIDS NGO field………………………27
Figure 8: Policy Recommendations……………………………………………………………41

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	International Studies
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Political Science, International Law and Relations
Keyword	South Africa Non-Governmental Organization Collaboration NGO HIV/AIDS
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Davis III, David, Emory University
Committee Members	Doner, Richard, Emory University Boli, John E, Emory University

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