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The reputations of NGOs: Peer evaluations of effectiveness

Author

Listed:
  • George E. Mitchell

    (The City College of New York)

  • Sarah S. Stroup

    (Middlebury College)

Abstract

This article explores the reputations of transnational non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their determinants. Although the concept of reputation has received extensive treatment in international relations, NGO reputation has received less attention. Yet reputations are critical to the construction of NGO authority and to patterns of collaboration. We develop a framework for studying NGO reputation. We then provide empirical evidence on the construction of a particular dimension of NGO reputation, that of organizational effectiveness from the perspective of NGO peers. Based on a mixed-method, in-depth interview study of transnational NGO leaders, we identify specific factors associated with NGOs’ effectiveness reputations among their peers. Larger, older, more highly visible organizations, organizations adopting hybrid strategies, and organizations headquartered outside of Washington, DC enjoy higher reputations for organizational effectiveness. Our analysis provides context for understanding the influence of transnational NGOs in world affairs and offers insight into the role of reputation in global politics more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • George E. Mitchell & Sarah S. Stroup, 2017. "The reputations of NGOs: Peer evaluations of effectiveness," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 397-419, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:revint:v:12:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11558-016-9259-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11558-016-9259-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lall, Ranjit, 2021. "The financial consequences of rating international institutions: competition, collaboration, and the politics of assessment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 107032, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Mintao Nie, 2023. "IOs’ selective adoption of NGO information: Evidence from the Universal Periodic Review," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 27-59, January.
    3. Michele Fioretti & Victor Saint-Jean & Simon C. Smith, 2024. "NGO Activism: Exposure vs. Influence," Papers 2411.06875, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2024.
    4. Phillips Susan D., 2019. "Putting Humpty Together Again: How Reputation Regulation Fails the Charitable Sector," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 10(4), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Enrique Carlos Bianchi & Gaspar Gracia Daponte & Leticia Pirard, 2021. "The impact of cause-related marketing campaigns on the reputation of corporations and NGOs," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 18(2), pages 187-205, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transnational NGOs; Reputation; Effectiveness; Authority; Cooperation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Y80 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Related Disciplines - - - Related Disciplines

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