| Author: | Chang, Siu-wah |
| Title: | Special features of small NGOs and adoption of coping strategies to subvention reduction : the CEOs' perception |
| Degree: | M.A. |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Non-governmental organizations -- China -- Hong Kong -- Finance Government aid -- China -- Hong Kong |
| Department: | Department of Applied Social Sciences |
| Pages: | iv, 140 leaves ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | As the topic under investigation was an untapped area, this study aimed at being exploratory. It planned to achieve three aims. They were to draw commonalties out of three areas: special features of small NGOs, coping strategies adopted by them and relationships between the special features and adoption of strategies. The qualitative research method was employed in this study. Eight CEOs of small agencies were chosen under specific criteria as informants/respondents. Long interviews were conducted with an interviewing guideline. The interviews were audio-tape recorded and transcripts of the utterance were produced for analysis. Results of the study proved that all the alleged objectives were attained. The "Enriched list of Special Features" and "Extended inventory of Coping Strategies" provided valid pieces of evidence. Furthermore, the "Refined Theoretical Framework" that elucidated the interrelationships between the special features and service expansion might offer another vivid example. From the study, characteristics like "resources" "structure" (with "technology" included) and "value" were influential factors in adoption of service expansion. Among these three, "resources" assumed the utmost important status. "Culture", on the contrary, was insignificant in the decision making process. It has also been argued that these factors were interrelated. As for the relationships between special features and adoption of strategies, small NGOs were found to be trapped in a vicious cycle. That was deficiencies in resources, structure and technology diminished their capabilities of attaining service expansion. That strategy was indeed resources generating. Hence, the inadequacies were perpetuated. Proficiency of creating resources through service expansion was further jeopardized. The loop continued. On top of that, this study has generated a by-product. The student could take a glimpse of the opportunities and strengths of small NGOs through the respondents' spontaneous sharing. Together with the other findings, the student was then able to make recommendations concerning how small NGOs could get out of the vicious cycle in resources expansion. The suggestions would appear meaningful if an agency planned to consider survival. Although the study seemed to have achieved some goals, it was far from comprehensive. First, the "Refined Theoretical Framework" was merely applicable to understand the relationships between some characteristics and service expansion, leaving other strategies largely untouched. Albeit the student has endeavored to argue the impact of limited resources upon the other strategies such as Quality Management and Re-engineering in Chapter 4, the debate was elementary and shallow. Moreover, it has been remarked that service expansion was indeed related to other strategies such as marketing. In other words, the interrelationships among different sets of variables should have been more complicated and intricately interwoven. Nonetheless, the student lacked the capacity to further examine the pattern and disentangle the web. In this regard, there was still room for deeper investigation and refinement of the theoretical framework. Similar inadequacy occurred in analyzing the opportunities of small NGOs. There were other alternatives apart from the student's suggestions. One example was collaboration or Synergy Centre'. However, the student could not gain a deeper understanding of this possibility in this study. This area, nevertheless, might offer room for future research. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b16431698.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.16 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/4661