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S.M.AR.T. ecosystems: a geographic perspective of non-government organizations in Belize
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King, Steven. S.M.AR.T. ecosystems: a geographic perspective of non-government organizations in Belize. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-d0kt-9d64

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TitleS.M.AR.T. ecosystems: a geographic perspective of non-government organizations in Belize
NameKing, Steven (author); Schneider, Laura (chair); DeFilippis, James (member); Rhiney, Kevon (member); Rutgers University; School of Graduate Studies
Date Created2021
Other Date2021-10 (degree)
SubjectGeography, Belize, Community Development, Mission Statements, Non-Government Organizations, Sustainability, Voluntourism
Extent1 online resource (vii, 86 pages)
DescriptionNon-Government Organizations (NGOs) are growing in numbers and impact in the developing world, but questions about their geography remain unanswered. Scholars and practitioners have theorized various push and pull factors that determine why or how NGOs go where they do and their geographic consequences, but the complexity of this phenomenon is still poorly understood. Research on how NGOs understand, perceive, identify, and respond to “needs” is large and diverse, while research of ‘why’ and ‘where’ they work remain limited. Furthermore, there is a debate that NGOs can cause more harm than good in the diverse geographies where they operate. Using the context of Belize, this research aims to build upon J. Brass’ (2016) theoretical framework to explain the relationship between the “mission” of NGOs and their geography. Through a literature review and discourse analysis I present a theoretical framework of ‘NGO ecosystems’ to highlight geographic relationships for NGO employees, donors, and volunteers. I proposed a new typology for NGOs based on fieldwork accomplished in Belize that is mission centric. The categories proposed of NGOs are described as Sustainable Transformation Groups, Marginalized People and Places Groups, Aggressive Response Groups, and Technology/Niche Groups. This new typology reflects a multifaceted explanation for what NGOs do, how they might do it, implications for where (regionally and globally) they might go, and why they do what they do in the first place. In light of this extraordinary, geography-shaping power of NGOs, the framework and typology suggested in this thesis hopes to encourage more collaborative decision-making, network strengthening, and a more productive engagement for NGO employees, donors, and volunteers in Belize and beyond.
NoteM.A.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-d0kt-9d64
LanguageEnglish
CollectionSchool of Graduate Studies Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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