ODI conference evaluates the evolution of development co-operation

Romilly Greenhill of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) talks about Old puzzles, new pieces: development co-operation in tomorrow’s world, a conference set for 14 and 15 November in London

Farmer Led Extension: Concepts and Practices

Sekitar sebelas tahun lalu, Juli 1995, di Filipina lebih dari 70 orang dari berbagai negara, yang memiliki latar belakang profesi beragam, berkumpul untuk sebuah workshop bertaraf Internasional dengan tajuk Farmer Led Extension. Lokakarya yang diselenggarakan oleh Overseas Development Institute (ODI), International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) dan World Neighbors di Filipina, bertujuan untuk “berbagi pengalaman dalam pelaksanaan penyuluhan.

A qualitative analysis of social enterprises as mechanisms for boosting agricultural productivity in Kenya

With the ever expanding role of social enterprises globally, this research aims to build awareness of the role that social enterprises play in the Kenyan agricultural sector and investigate the factors that influence the development of agricultural social enterprises in Kenya. The data analysed for this study was collected via semi-structured interviews as part of a wider study, 'A case study of health and agriculture social enterprises in Kenya', commissioned by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and implemented by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. The writer of this study was part of the team that collected and published the preceding ODI report from the data set now utilised in this study

People-centered approach to open data in government

PowerPoint presentationThis Overseas Development Institute (ODI) PowerPoint presentation presents some applications of open data and provides information for a variety of audiences, from an inquiry based teaching platform. Questions such as: Which of the recommended open data initiatives resonate with you? What would you put into practice? The presentation articulates ingredients that are needed for a successful Open Data initiative: challenges, risks and limitations; brief case studies; how to encourage feedback; and how to measure progress. The ODI is the UK's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues

Irrigation Management Information Network (IMIN) Keyword thesaurus

Irrigation management / Thesauri / Information services / Networks

Building Networks of Practice

{Excerpt} Extensive media coverage of applications such as FaceBook, MySpace, and LinkedIn suggests that networks are a new phenomenon. They are not: the first network was born the day people decided to create organizational structures to serve common interests—that is, at the dawn of mankind. However, the last 10–20 years have witnessed rapid intensification and evolution of networking activities, driven of course by information and communication technologies as well as globalization. These make it possible for individuals to exchange data, information, and knowledge; work collaboratively; and share their views much more quickly and widely than ever before. Thus, less and less of an organization’s knowledge resides within its formal boundaries or communities of practice. Knowledge cannot be separated from the networks that create, use, and transform it. In parallel, networks now play significant roles in how individuals, groups, organizations, and related systems operate. They will be even more important tomorrow. Since we can no longer assume that closely knit groups are the building blocks of human activity—or treat these as discrete units of analysis—we need to recognize and interface with less-bounded organizations, from non-local communities to links among websites. We should make certain that knowledge harvested in the external environment is integrated with what exists within, especially in dynamic fields where innovation stems from inter-organizational knowledge sharing and learning. Therefore, the structure and composition of nodes and ties, and how these affect norms and determine usefulness, must become key concerns. This makes the study of networks of practice a prime interest for both researchers and practitioners

Re-examining the 'More People Less Erosion' Hypothesis:\ud Special Case of Wider Trend?

Recent research into natural resource rehabilitation based on in-depth case studies has highlighted situations where population growth and agricultural intensification have been accompanied by improved rather than deteriorating soil and water resources(e.g. Tiffen et al., 1994). Drawing on new case studies in six countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda), this paper examines how widespread are the prospects for positive outcomes of the ‘more people, less erosion’ type

Why do Indian firms go abroad?

Overseas investments by the emerging economies are a feature of globalisation. Investments by Indian firms, though not large in volume, differ from that of other emerging economies such as China in their composition, destination and modality of investments. A relatively high proportion of their investments are in the manufacturing and services sectors of the developed economies such as the UK and the USA. A number of statistical studies have attempted to identify the factors motivating Indian firms to invest abroad. Most of these studies attempt to ground the analysis in the received theory of foreign direct investment centred on the ownership advantages, location and internalisation (OLI) paradigm. This paper argues that statistical tests cannot fully account for the unique nature of India’s investments abroad. The pattern of investments that differs from that of the other emerging economies is to be attributed to India’s endowments of entrepreneurial skills centring on exploration of investment opportunities and astute management of complex organisations. These endowments are an inheritance from history augmented by the contribution of India’s diaspora abroad. The lukewarm investment climate at home may also be a factor in the decision of Indian firms in technology and skill intensive firms to venture abroad. Explanations for the unique nature of overseas direct investments by Indian firms have to be sought in the organisational structure and history of Indian business houses

Five steps to smarter multi-bi aid: a new way forward for earmarked finance

Multi-bi aid – donor contributions to multilateral organisations earmarked for specific purposes – is an important channel for financing development, and is expected to grow. Yet multi-bi aid poses significant challenges for both multilateral and bilateral actors, including lack of alignment with recipient-country priorities, aid fragmentation, and increased transaction costs. This report explores the potential for smart reforms of multi-bi aid. A five-step plan to improve multi-bi aid requires: better data-access and management; recovering the full economic cost of earmarking; fee structures for improving impact; stronger internal rules to curb fragmentation; and better country ownership and participation. These reforms can make multi-bi aid more effective and efficient while enhancing its legitimacy in the eyes of recipients

'Localising' the Post-2015 Agenda: What Does It Mean In Practice?

'Localising' the Post-2015 agenda is most commonly understood as the role that regional and local governments play in the implementation of a new set of goals. Subnational governments have responsibilities (either directly or shared with central government or in partnership with other stakeholders) for service provision in many areas related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to deliver services effectively and help achieve the SDGs, they need to have adequate capacity and resources.In fact, the important role that local government play in a new development agenda has been recognised in a number of key inputs to the Post-2015 process. The High-Level Panel made this clear in its report to the UN Secretary-General. It stated that "the most pressing issue is not rural versus urban but how to foster a local, geographic approach to the post-2015 agenda. The Panel believes this can be done by disaggregating data by place, and giving local authorities a bigger role in setting priorities, executing plans, monitoring results and engaging with local firms and communities