| Author: | Chan, Suk Yan |
| Title: | Collaborative partnership between social service NGOs and private funders in Hong Kong : roles of social capital |
| Advisors: | Lai, Daniel (APSS) |
| Degree: | DSW |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Subject: | Non-governmental organizations -- China -- Hong Kong Social service -- China -- Hong Kong Charities -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Applied Social Sciences |
| Pages: | xi, 200 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a good example to illustrate the indispensable function of collaboration in solving developmental plights of the world which “requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike” to achieve the goals collectively by 2030 (UNDP, 2020). Different sectors are urged to look for effective methodologies, strategies and also partnerships to face the challenges (Magnoni, 2018). Among them, philanthropic sector and social sector have gradually turned out to be “a third power located between the public and the private sectors” (Fisher, 1983, p. 224) to work with the government to get out of the predicaments. The relationship and partnership between social service NGOs and philanthropic funders has been evolving since the 18th century. They need each other to supplement their respective roles to accomplish their missions. One of the challenges of nurturing an effective partnership is to identify the contributing factors facilitating the development of this unique relationship (Mitchell & Sparke, 2016). Among many different studies conducted to investigate partnerships lately, a couple concepts, including network, values, norms of trust and reciprocity, originated from the social capital theory are highlighted recurrently in many different partnership studies. Collaboration between social service NGOs and philanthropic funders in Hong Kong has been emerging rigorously after year 2000. However, no substantial research has been conducted to consolidate the experience and develop the knowledge and wisdom from their vibrant interactions. This study aims to (i) examine the dynamics of the collaborative partnerships between social service NGOs and philanthropic funders in Hong Kong; (ii) examine the influence of social capital on the formation, development and sustaining of NGO-funder partnership in Hong Kong; and (iii) identify strategies for effective development of NGO-funder partnership. This study adopts qualitative research as the research methodology to examine what and how the social capital factors affecting the development of the NGO-funder collaborative partnerships in Hong Kong. Semi-structural interviews conducted to discover the experiences of 7 pairs of NGO practitioners and their funders. Social capital theory is applied as a conceptual basis to investigate the factors prompting and hindering the collaborative partnership development. Putting on the lens of social capital theory to analyse the data collected from the interviews, social capital factors are found to have played diverse roles and performed various functions in different stages of partnership development. Significance of distinct social capital factors are discussed: personal relationship, trust and reciprocity, and positive feelings in relational dimension; organizational strengths and capabilities, roles of NGOs and funders, and power symmetry in structural dimension; and shared values, common agenda and mindset change in cognitive dimension. Knowledge and practice wisdom and a series of actionable tactics are derived as strategies for the reference and application for the NGO practitioners and philanthropic funders. Building up of collaborative platforms, putting additional efforts and resources in capacity building and tripartite collaboration are recommended for effective NGO-funder partnership development. In addition, a conceptual framework on developing social capital in the stages of formation, development and sustaining is proposed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6901.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 1.85 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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