Organisational factors influencing sustainability of local non‐governmental organisations

Ernest L. Okorley and Edmund E. Nkrumah

International Journal of Social Economics, 2012, vol. 39, issue 5, 330-341

Abstract: Purpose - Despite the role of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) as actors in development, the issue of local NGOs' sustainability remains a major concern in many developing countries such as Ghana. This study seeks to determine key factors that can influence local NGOs based on a Ghanaian case study. Design/methodology/approach - The research used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Findings - The study identifies that the availability of funds, quality material resources, supportive leadership, development of needs‐based and demand‐driven programmes, and effective management can have a significant influence on the sustainability of local NGOs. Significantly, leadership emerged as the most important factor to organisational sustainability of local NGOs. Equally, the availability and quality of material resources for work were least critical to local NGO sustainability, although they were all very important. Practical implications - The case study suggests that local NGOs can adopt several measures to ensure their sustainability. These include the writing of good needs‐based and demand‐driven project proposals, ensuring transparency and accountability, leadership training and lobbying for resources including funds, especially, from local sources. Originality/value - Although the findings are based on Ghanaian local NGO sustainability scenario, the lessons can be useful to NGOs within similar contexts.

Keywords: Sustainability; Non‐governmental organizations; Management; Leadership; Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijsepp:v:39:y:2012:i:5:p:330-341

DOI: 10.1108/03068291211214190

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Social Economics is currently edited by Professor Terence Garrett

More articles in International Journal of Social Economics from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().