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International development: exploring the gap between organisations’ development policy and practice—a Southern perspective

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Abstract

International development policies inevitably encounter a conflict in their implementation, representing the gap between universal goals and grass-roots practice. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the significance of this gap, and to apply knowledge management principles as a lens to suggest bridging solutions. The research focuses on non-governmental organisations, which are a sub-section of the civil society. The study was unique as it took a Southern perspective—the views and experiences of policy-makers, practitioners and beneficiaries in Kenya form the basis of the empirical research. Consequently, the research and its findings provide some answers as to how systems of knowledge can be aligned with the core values of organisational and societal culture in order to positively influence international stability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Business Information Systems Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Denis Dennehy & Fergal Carton

  2. Food Business and International Development Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Mike Fitzgibbon

Authors
  1. Denis Dennehy
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  2. Mike Fitzgibbon
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  3. Fergal Carton
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Correspondence to Denis Dennehy.

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Dennehy, D., Fitzgibbon, M. & Carton, F. International development: exploring the gap between organisations’ development policy and practice—a Southern perspective. AI & Soc 29, 221–230 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-013-0477-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-013-0477-8

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