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Clashes of cultures in an international aid organisation: Information cultures, languages and the use of information systems

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  • Viviane Frings‐Hessami
  • Gillian Oliver

Abstract

International non‐governmental organisations (INGOs) bring together actors from three very different backgrounds: international aid workers, national aid workers generally from the urban middle classes and disadvantaged communities. However, the ways national aid workers negotiate their cultural encounters and use accountability tools and information systems have not been the objects of much research. In this article, we analyse how the Bangladeshi employees of an INGO with headquarters in the United Kingdom and a country branch in Bangladesh are using accountability tools and information systems developed by and for English speakers and how they are coming up with work practices that are more attuned with their cultural and linguistic preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Viviane Frings‐Hessami & Gillian Oliver, 2022. "Clashes of cultures in an international aid organisation: Information cultures, languages and the use of information systems," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(7), pages 1414-1429, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:34:y:2022:i:7:p:1414-1429
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Lewis, 2017. "Organising and Representing the Poor in a Clientelistic Democracy: the Decline of Radical NGOs in Bangladesh," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(10), pages 1545-1567, October.
    2. Krause, Monika, 2014. "The Good Project," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226131221, December.
    3. David Lewis, 2003. "NGOs, Organizational Culture, and Institutional Sustainability," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 590(1), pages 212-226, November.
    4. Silke Roth, 2019. "Linguistic Capital and Inequality in Aid Relations," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 24(1), pages 38-54, March.
    5. Geoff Walsham, 2017. "ICT4D research: reflections on history and future agenda," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(1), pages 18-41, January.
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    1. Michael Chasukwa & Angela Crack, 2024. "Participatory translation and anti‐racism in NGO development work: A method of co‐producing translations with community members," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 42(4), July.

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