Business-NGO Collaboration in a Conflict Setting: Partnership Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Business and Society, 2012, 51(3), pp. 478-511

39 Pages Posted: 6 Mar 2011 Last revised: 27 Dec 2013

See all articles by Ans Kolk

Ans Kolk

University of Amsterdam Business School

Francois Lenfant

Cordaid

Date Written: March 5, 2011

Abstract

While business-NGO partnerships have received much attention in recent years, insights have been obtained from research in ‘stable’ contexts, not from conflict-ridden countries where such collaboration may be even more crucial in building trust and capacity and in addressing governance problems given the absence of a reliable state. This paper aims to shed light on business-NGOs collaboration in a conflict setting, exploring partnership activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most partnerships found are philanthropic, and deal with ‘traditional’ issues such as health and education in a donor-recipient mode with limited community involvement. There are only a few real transformative partnerships, which address aspects directly related to the conflict from a wider community focus; these involve extractive companies most exposed via mineral development/production. We also found so-called ‘engagement’ collaboration which can be divided into activities including the transfer of funds (and characterised by service delivery), and those without funds, focusing on knowledge exchange that furthers companies’ awareness of conflict-sensitive issues into their operations. Peculiarities of the different types of partnerships are discussed as well as implications for research and practice.

Keywords: Business-NGO Collaboration, Conflict, Partnerships, Community Involvement, Democratic Republic of Congo

JEL Classification: D21, F23, G38, H7, I39, L2, L31, L71, L72, M14, M1, N4, O1

Suggested Citation

Kolk, Ans and Lenfant, Francois, Business-NGO Collaboration in a Conflict Setting: Partnership Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (March 5, 2011). Business and Society, 2012, 51(3), pp. 478-511, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1778223

Ans Kolk (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam Business School ( email )

Plantage Muidergracht 12
Amsterdam, 1018 TV
Netherlands
+31 20 525 4289 (Phone)
+31 20 525 5281 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.anskolk.eu

Francois Lenfant

Cordaid ( email )

Lutherse Burgwaal 12
Den Haag
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.cordaid.nl

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