Dilemmas and paradoxes in Results-Based Management (RBM) and Capacity Building A Case Study of RBM and Capacity-Building Programmes in a Non-Governmental Organization

Abstract

Throughout the last decades, results-based management (RBM) and capacity building (CB) of civil society organizations have become more important parts of Norwegian development assistance. Despite increased efforts of RBM, CB seems to remain an elusive goal. The main objective of this thesis is to explore why. Despite all the hype surrounding CB, the concept remains elusive, ridden with conceptual and methodological challenges. Further, it has been claimed that RBM is counterproductive. Researchers criticism of RBM concerns control focus, lack of beneficiary accountability, premises of linearity etc. Through a case study of CB in Red Cross, I have explored the relevance of the criticism as well as explored the relevance of alternative methodologies – such as participatory approaches (PA). Further, I have explored the role of how objectives are set and suggest that overly high ambitions and different objective levels contribute to the impression of weak results. RBM seem to perform better than its reputation, but this thesis demonstrates that RBM has shortcomings in documenting results of complex interventions such as CB as well as shortcomings in contributing to learning. Further, this thesis demonstrates that there are a gap between the intentions of RBM and practice, as well as a gap between the needs of practitioners and back-donors. Alternative methodologies, such as PA, might contribute to truer results and increased motivation and hence better results, as this case study shows. However, PA cannot be sufficient to overcome the main challenges of CB – which is lack of ownership and weak coordination among funding partners. Moreover, this thesis demonstrates that there are numerous dilemmas and paradoxes in both RBM and CB, and that the challenges are multifaceted.

Throughout the last decades, results-based management (RBM) and capacity building (CB) of civil society organizations have become more important parts of Norwegian development assistance. Despite increased efforts of RBM, CB seems to remain an elusive goal. The main objective of this thesis is to explore why. Despite all the hype surrounding CB, the concept remains elusive, ridden with conceptual and methodological challenges. Further, it has been claimed that RBM is counterproductive. Researchers criticism of RBM concerns control focus, lack of beneficiary accountability, premises of linearity etc. Through a case study of CB in Red Cross, I have explored the relevance of the criticism as well as explored the relevance of alternative methodologies – such as participatory approaches (PA). Further, I have explored the role of how objectives are set and suggest that overly high ambitions and different objective levels contribute to the impression of weak results. RBM seem to perform better than its reputation, but this thesis demonstrates that RBM has shortcomings in documenting results of complex interventions such as CB as well as shortcomings in contributing to learning. Further, this thesis demonstrates that there are a gap between the intentions of RBM and practice, as well as a gap between the needs of practitioners and back-donors. Alternative methodologies, such as PA, might contribute to truer results and increased motivation and hence better results, as this case study shows. However, PA cannot be sufficient to overcome the main challenges of CB – which is lack of ownership and weak coordination among funding partners. Moreover, this thesis demonstrates that there are numerous dilemmas and paradoxes in both RBM and CB, and that the challenges are multifaceted.