NGO Accountability from an NGO Perspective: Perceptions, Strategies, and Practices
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1764 |
| Date | 01 October 2016 |
| Author | Khaldoun AbouAssi,Deborah L. Trent |
| Published date | 01 October 2016 |
NGO ACCOUNTABILITY FROM AN NGO PERSPECTIVE: PERCEPTIONS,
STRATEGIES, AND PRACTICES
KHALDOUN ABOUASSI
1
*AND DEBORAH L. TRENT
2
1
School of Public Affairs, American University, USA
2
International Development and Diplomacy Analyst, USA
SUMMARY
Extant research in the nonprofit literature focuses on non-governmental organization (NGO) accountability, framing it
relationally. We examine the interplay of several constitutive elements of NGO–donor relationships based on narratives of
NGO executives and other staff: NGO perceptions of accountability and of their donors, their assumptions about donor
perceptions of the NGO role and expectations of NGO accountability, and their responses to shifts in donor funding. We argue
that perceptions and practices of accountability do not only determine to whom an NGO should be primarily accountable but
also shape NGO behavior and alter dependence on donors. As such, accountability is not necessarily a consequence of a
relationship, but more likely a constitutive element of the relationship. While a favorable response to donor interests might
signify upward accountability, it might also suggest that NGOs are more assertive about managing their institutional
environments, thereby mitigating their dependence on donors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
key words—accountability; NGOs; donors; perceptions; Middle East; Lebanon
INTRODUCTION
Individuals' behaviors are influenced by how they see the world around them and how they feel they are perceived
by others (Golden, 2011). Organizations, as groups of individuals, are not different; their behaviors can be
determined by their own perceptions as well as perceptions of others toward them.
This notion applies to the discussion on accountability. Extant research has focused on accountability as a
relational concept and practice, in both formal and informal settings (Brown and Moore, 2001; Ebrahim, 2003a;
Mcloughlin, 2011; Romzek et al., 2012; Dubnick, 2013; Romzek et al., 2014). However, we have yet to focus
on perceptions of non-governmental organization (NGO) managers as they could affect both formal and informal
accountabilities.
In this study, we expand the research on accountability, moving beyond the frames of formally and informally
structured relations and less formal and influential ties, to explore perceptions. We pursue two subjects: (i) the most
influential and powerful actor NGOs have to deal with, that is donors, a main source of funding and a main focus of
existing research on accountability, and (2) the perceptions of NGO managers, a potentially fruitful but less
explored area of research and practice.
While we acknowledge that perceptions are formed through experiences within NGOs and through their
interactions with various stakeholders, including donors, we isolate the relationships of three NGOs with one
common donor to examine the interplay of five constitutive elements of NGO–donor relationships: NGO percep-
tions of accountability, their perceptions of donors, their assumptions about donor perceptions of the NGO role,
their expectations of NGO accountability, and their strategies or responses to shifts in donor funding. Despite their
common donor's power to control funding priorities, the behaviors and accountability practices of three local,
*Correspondence to: K. AbouAssi, Department of Public Administration and Policy, School of Public Affairs American University,
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW 20016, Washington, DC, USA. E-mail: abouassi@american.edu
public administration and development
Public Admin. Dev. 36, 283–296 (2016)
Published online in Wiley Online Library
(wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/pad.1764
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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