Why Planned Interventions for Capacity Development in the Environment Often Fail: A Critical Review of Mainstream

Karen Holm Olsen

International Studies of Management & Organization, 2006, vol. 36, issue 2, 104-124

Abstract: Capacity development in the subfield of the environment is a mode of planned intervention that has become one of the mainstays of development policy. Capacity development interventions are, however, characterized by a low level of success. Explored in this paper is the theoretical grounding for why planned interventions for capacity development in the environment often fail. Drawing on a review of mainstream systems theory and strategic management approaches, it is argued that these rely on overoptimistic assumptions about the institutional and social reality as manageable and controllable. An actor-oriented and constructivist approach is proposed as an alternative to improve our understanding of the unintended and unplanned outcomes of capacity development.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.2753/IMO0020-8825360205

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