Global-Local Partnerships for Development: Analysing the Needs of International Organisations in Myanmar

Seminar Aims

The aim of the Essex Accounting Centre (EAC) research seminar series is to support our world-class research activities in four key areas: social responsibility and corporate governance; (management) accounting change (in privatised, public and third sectors); global development, corruption and accountability; and reporting, regulation and capital markets. The seminar series is also expected to promote inter-disciplinary research that links the work of members of the centre with others both within the university and with external institutions.

Event Abstract

International organisations engage in developing regions to provide goods and services aiding development. Collaboration with local partners is often desired and sometimes required by supranational institutions and local governments. When looking at contracts and project reports, it seems to be clear what international organisations provide and what local organisations need: International organisations provide financial resources and expert knowledge, aiming to build local capacity and achieve sustainable development. For a partnership to be reciprocal, both sides need to give a little and take a little, though. This study compares global and local organisations and assesses what international organisations need to perform well in partnership projects for development. Using data from global-local partnerships in Myanmar, this study finds that issues of quality and equality within the partnership and a lack thereof exist between global and local organisations. In addition, it shows that a stronger engagement with communities on the ground and the prevalence of program needs can positively affect performance. For global-local partnerships to be successful, partnering organisations should be aware of their resources and their needs. Every partner, no matter if global or local, can benefit from the other organisations’ knowledge, helping to create sustainable development.

Booking

This is an open event; there is no need to book. Please feel free to attend and bring your colleagues, classmates and friends.

Speaker bio

Isabella Nolte is a Professor in Project and Process Management in the Public Sector at Berlin School of Economics and Law. Previously, she was a Lecturer and member of the Accounting Group at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research focuses on management of collaborations between different actors, such as public organisations, non-profits, and volunteers. She looks at dynamic contexts that are usually considered the public sector’s responsibility, such as disasters and crises. Recent works include studies on collaborations to manage the refugee crisis in Europe and collaborations in fragile states.