Development Studies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/10564

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End date: 2019Subject: search.filters.subject.Community development

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    In search of a working philosophy for the faith-based nongovernmental development organisation : a case study of The Salvation Army : a faith based N.G.O. and its involvement in primary health education in East Africa : a thesis presented in partial completion of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Philosophy in Development Studies at the Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2001) Le Leu, Seth
    The role of the Nongovernmental Organisations in development has rapidly expanded over the past thirty years. This growth in scope has resulted in a number of significant problems and benefits. For most NGOs there has been a move from being solely a charity welfare organisation to being required to take over many services previously undertaken by governments in the area of development. A recent further development has been the major change in emphasis by many international development organisations from long-term development to humanitarian assistance as a result of a series of major humanitarian disasters globally. The challenge faced by the international NGO is how to synthesise a comprehensive development philosophy that embraces all its activities. The dominant approach over the last thirty years has been funding projects, with the presumption that these activities would result in sustained community change in the recipient communities. Despite the fact that project-related funding is the main source of development funds, it is very confusing for NGOs in search of a workable philosophy to read the theory on the subject and to find that the development project is almost universally derided as being inappropriate. A synthesis is needed to evaluate the correct place of the project in community development if NGOS are to be consistent in their theory and practice.
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    Mining and development : examining the effectiveness of mining company community development intervention in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Richardson, Emma
    This thesis explores the effectiveness of mining company contributions to development within the gold mining communities of Lihir and Simberi islands, in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). More specifically, it analyses the extent to which forms of community development intervention undertaken on Lihir Island by Newcrest Mining Ltd, and on Simberi Island by St Barbara Ltd, actually support meaningful forms of development. This has been achieved through the use of development ethics (Goulet 1995) as a conceptual research framework, which when applied in research practice, gives priority to the wellbeing of those whose realities may be ignored, misread or marginalised within the neoliberal realm of development. This research is based on a total of four months of fieldwork undertaken on Lihir and Simberi islands. It draws on community narratives to frame the relevance of human wellbeing, human rights and inclusive development as development ethics within the research context. This development ethics research lens facilitates discussion about the meaningfulness of development intervention from a morally-informed community development perspective. Underpinned by a locally contextualised appreciation of what human wellbeing and meaningful development means on Lihir and Simberi islands (which results in the exposition of a set of local Community Wellbeing and Development Rights), a critical review of the practice and governance of development intervention within each Island community is then detailed. The analysis of development interventions then proceeds using firstly an evaluation of practices within a human rights lens, and secondly consideration of inclusive development outcomes relative to Newcrest's and St Barbara’s development related rhetoric. The resulting account of mining company community development intervention is critical, but ultimately hopeful. This hopefulness reflects the hope of customary landowners that mining will one day lead to meaningful development benefits. The analysis from this development ethics lens reveals insights into the promotion of social justice through the delivery of mining company development interventions. It is argued that mining companies have the opportunity to enhance a set of locally significant and internationally recognised human rights that are important to the wellbeing and development of customary landowners. Although, in some instances, mining company performance is falling short with respect to the enhancement of these human rights, it is argued that the enhancement of Community Wellbeing and Development Rights exists as a potential means for mining companies to add value to host communities. However, if such a development programme is to be meaningful to customary landowners, it must also advance equity and fairness. If mining companies fail to navigate such complexities, this thesis contends that mining, and forms of mining company community development intervention, will likely do more harm to communities than good.
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    Optimising community development through corporate social responsibility : an examination of the tourism industry in Livingstone, Zambia : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Development Studies at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2016) Chilufya, Andrew K
    This thesis explores the potential for corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of hotel and lodge companies to contribute to community development. A critical review of relevant literature is followed by focused discussions of the CSR practices of these companies, their community engagement approaches for seeking community voices in CSR, and policy frameworks for promoting CSR and managing stakeholder relationships. The empirical domain is the practices of hotel and lodge companies on Mukuni community land in Livingstone, Zambia. The discussion in each of the main empirical chapters is based on the analysis of perspectives and experiences of participants. Primary data was collected by conducting document and website reviews, and interviews with senior government officials, hotel and lodge managers, the local tourism association, leaders of relevant local and international NGOs, and leaders from Mukuni communities. Data was also collected through group interviews, network mapping, and pairwise ranking and comparison analyses with community farmers and crafts traders. Site observation of some CSR projects in communities was also undertaken. Thematic analysis was applied to code and analyse data. A theoretical framework focusing on “ensuring equity in CSR through multi-stakeholder measures” was developed and applied to understand the findings. Study findings suggest that power relations are a critical issue in CSR when initiatives are carried out in poor communities. It is shown that dominant corporate power and traditional power and cultural influences of community leaders, coupled with weak policy frameworks for promoting CSR and managing stakeholder interactions, are the main factors that determine the effectiveness of CSR as a vehicle for community development. These findings show that although criticisms are justifiably targeted mainly at corporations, communities and government also fall short in a number of ways as parties in promoting CSR. In view of these findings, key stakeholders, including government, hotels and lodges and communities, are challenged to adapt their respective policies, structures, mentalities and practices to ensure equity in CSR. The study has shown that multi-stakeholder involvement in CSR can encourage equity and might be helpful in shifting CSR from reflecting company interests alone to interests and needs of communities. This argument is based on evidence that in some cases, measures that seek to encourage multi-stakeholder involvement in CSR have proved to contribute to promoting equity and to widely spreading opportunities and benefits. It has also been shown that the role of government and other stakeholders is important for improving the overall effectiveness of CSR as a vehicle for community development.
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    The tourist resort and the village : local perspectives of corporate community development in Fiji : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2016) Hughes, Emma Louise
    A new global development model prioritises the role of the private sector, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals aiming to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability in partnership with business. This study examines the capability of tourism sector-led development initiatives, or Corporate Community Development (CCD), to bring about positive, locally meaningful change for two Indigenous communities in Fiji. A Development First framework for CCD developed in this thesis foregrounds community perspectives. Findings suggest the capacity of the private sector to contribute to community development in line with community priorities is constrained by an overriding Tourism First focus on prioritising the business, even where companies aspire to longer-term sustainable development outcomes. Whilst specific initiatives focusing on supporting development projects and running a social responsible business achieve positive outcomes for communities, much CCD is charity-focused and confined to a narrow spectrum of immediately visible needs largely defined by hotels and tourists. Approaching CCD from local perspectives also suggests ways to reconceptualise CCD. It focuses attention on the interconnected impact of all company activities (both core operations such as employment and voluntary activities such as donations), whilst an Indigenous perspective of CCD reframes its purpose as obligation. This can be understood in terms of community expectations around entitlements, reciprocity and fulfilling collective rights. A focus on Indigenous understandings of wellbeing and development shows that tourism is seen as an opportunity to contribute to vanua priorities for both current and future generations, but makes it clear that communities do not want more charity or aid, instead seeking to be an integral part of development conversations determining a fair share of their resources. The twin concepts of corporate social coherence and corporate social obligation acknowledge the significance of people and place underpinning tourism in Fiji and prompt a critical rethink of private sector-led development. Findings underline the risks of charging the private sector with responsibility for community development and demonstrate the current limitations to what the tourism industry can be expected to deliver. Community perspectives present a starting point from which to challenge current ways of thinking and allow conceptualisations of development to flourish.
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    Rebuilding communities : a case study of empowerment in post-conflict Rwanda : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2009) Parsons, Anna
    Empowerment became a popular concept in the 1990s, so popular that some believe the concept has lost its impact. This thesis uses the empowerment levels of; personal, relational and community, to investigate a psychosocial intervention in the post-conflict environment. The post-conflict environment is one that is disempowering for both men and women. Rwanda, one of the most complicated and devastated post-conflict situations seen since World War II, is the location of the World Vision intervention examined in this thesis. World Vision's Personal Development Workshop aims to provide a safe environment where people can process their experiences of the genocide. They use lectures, individual exercises and small group discussions to cover the topics of understanding the grief process, dealing with emotions and the concept of forgiveness. The thesis concludes that both male and female participants of the Personal Development Workshops have been empowered at all three levels. It shows the benefit of using the empowerment approach in the community context and suggests that consideration of psychosocial interventions is crucial in post-conflict settings. The need for such interventions to be continued for many years after the conflict has ended is also identified.
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    Implementing asset-based community development : a case study from the Philippines : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2005) Anna, Bona
    Within the alternative development paradigm, needs-based models have been critiqued for the part they play in accentuating local deficiency and thereby increasing dependency on externally-driven development. The asset-based approach to community development (ABCD) has been presented as a capacities-focused alternative, aimed at establishing community-driven development and promoting authentic local empowerment. This thesis presents a case study into ABCD as it has been applied in a developing country context, analysing it in relationship to some of the theoretical premises of the approach and the wider development literature. The research, undertaken on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, describes how the ABCD model was implemented and adapted to local circumstances. The findings indicate that the ABCD intervention resulted in improvements within the case study community, particularly pertaining to the expansion of community facilities, livelihood choices, household incomes, individual and collective motivation, and community pride. Overall, this study endorses ABCD as an effective approach to development in the developing world, while at the same time highlighting issues associated with its implementation. Questions are also raised regarding three global development themes that emerged in the course of the study, namely the development of capacity, the management of social process and the meaning of empowerment.
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    Exploring the relationship between development and disasters : Bir Hospital as a microcosm of this relationship : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Patton, Robert
    The question is asked as to whether there is a relationship between development and disasters. To answer this question these two words must first be defined. The simplest definitions are that development is good change and a disaster is the result of an interaction between an event and a vulnerable community. From the literature it was found that the relationship between development and disasters fell into two broad categories; a financial relationship and a contributory relationship. The financial relationship was primarily that disasters diverted funds away from development. This occurred in two ways. One is that funds earmarked for development were re-directed into relief following a disaster. The other is that a disaster can destroy past development investment in a community and reduce community potential for future development. The contributory relationship was that development could either reduce or increase a community's vulnerability to a disaster-producing event. A 1998 vulnerability assessment report of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal identified that Bir Hospital was vulnerable to the impact of an earthquake. Bir Hospital was taken as a case study to demonstrate the contributory relationship between development and disasters. This case study identified whether past development activities had contributed to this vulnerability and could future development activities reduce the vulnerability of Bir Hospital. In preparation for the detailed assessment of Bir Hospital the experiences of other hospitals in disaster situations was researched and standards for measuring a hospital's vulnerability were identified. The outcome of the vulnerability assessment of Bir Hospital was that the hospital is extremely vulnerable to the impact of an earthquake and that development activities in the past had contributed to this. There is strong potential for future development to reduce the vulnerability of the hospital. The overall conclusion is that there is a definite relationship between development and disasters. This relationship can be either positive or negative. In recognition of this relationship it is recommended that development practitioners and disaster managers work closely together.
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    Communicating poverty : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Philosophy, major in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Pimentel, Maria Oliva Bernadette P
    Poverty is a major problem in the Philippines. Different policies and programs have been instituted to address it. Each administration designs its own program according to its definition of poverty and this serve as historical footnotes to their administration. Communication is used as a strategy to generate awareness and secure people's acceptance of poverty policies and programs. However, it has been used as a political tool to enhance an administration's image. More open forms of communication need to be developed to avoid political patronage. The study examined the poverty alleviation policies and programs of the government and attempted to gain a deeper understanding of how these were implemented. Subsequently, it assessed the role communication plays in the delivery of these programs. The research yielded a wealth of data that links poverty, communication and programs. The study reveals that people's conditions affect their capacity to gather and receive information. In their dire conditions their information needs revolve around their wellbeing, livelihood and security. Likewise, the poor rely on handed-down information and search for other forms of communication such as mass media to confirm the information. The nature of communication remains top-down despite the democratic setting, as barriers prevent unfavourable information to reach the top. The sifting of information takes place, filtering out failures of programs, which may in turn affect the image of the Presidency or the administration. The free flow of information has yet to truly manifest character. The study identified several strategies to implement this. Interpersonal communication is one of the best methods and tapping the local officials to serve as the conveyor of information, can be maximised. Several trends regarding poverty as well as communication have surfaced in the last few years. It could be summarised that the poor people's participation in the crafting of programs that affect their lives is an important aspect. It is therefore paramount to establish linkages and open communication lines between them and the government.
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    Divergent expectations : case studies of community-based tourism on the island of the gods, Bali : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Development at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Martokusumo, Kathlia Sari
    This thesis examines the success of community-based tourism in Bali, a popular mass tourism destination in Indonesia. Presented as an unalloyed good and the antithesis of ‘bad’ mass tourism, community-based tourism is expected to create broad equitable distribution of benefits, expand livelihood options, empower local communities, and conserve both culture and the environment. In practice, however, it is difficult to find successful examples of community-based tourism. Most projects have failed to produce significant benefits and are too dependent on external assistance. Using four Balinese villages as case study sites, the views of the local community and support organisations were explored to find out what they perceive as successful community-based tourism. The results indicate that while there are many benefits enjoyed by the communities, most residents see that the community-based tourism initiative in their village is not yet successful. A key finding of the research is that while the communities recognise the socio-political, environmental and cultural benefits of the initiative in their village, they would like to enjoy more significant economic benefits, both at the community and individual household level. The thesis concludes that there are divergent expectations at play among the communities and the organisations supporting them as there is a difference in the emphasis of what success means between the community and the support organisations.
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    Submission based direct funding : does it concur with the principles of empowerment? : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) Gardner, Caroline
    After a review of recent developmental writings, it can be concluded that an effective system for encouraging and promoting endogenous development is yet to be fully articulated in both development practice and theory. It is proposed in this thesis, that SBDF presents an alternative and effective distribution system for small community run project/programmes compared to that which is currently being employed by the majority of ODA agencies. SBDF is based around the idea of partnership between local and international development agencies, this model situates the donor in the role of facilitator to endogenously directed development. SBDF can be described as a system where local groups plan, design and implement projects with the support of a donor agency. This paper analyses the SBDF system used by the Canada Fund (CF) in Samoa to fund small community-run projects. This funding system differs from other small funding programmes in a number of important ways: • The fund is actively made available to vulnerable subgroups within the community. The CF utilises networking and 'cold-calling' to access these groups. This proactive approach to disseminating information about the fund is specific to the CF. • The CF provides support throughout the project process where this is required, thereby ensuring that organisational capacity building is an ongoing and organic process. • A partnership is created between the donor and the local organization. This is defined by open dialogue between both partners throughout all stages of the project and the necessity for local partners to contribute resources and finance to the project; thereby ensuring local ownership of projects. The study concluded that the SBDF model embodies much of the current theoretical thinking on empowerment, which places emphasis on the need for the primacy of endogenous control in the project process. A number of problems with the SBDF are recognised and recommendations are made for the improvement of the system, namely in regard to how local groups can increase their capacity in the areas of monitoring and accountability with the assistance of the donor agency.