Examining performance variables of nongovernmental organizations with Consultative Status with the United Nations

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with Consultative Status with the United Nations (UN) continue to grow in numbers and in influence in the implementation of a global flood tide of activities and programs in the social, economic, political, public, and international policy arenas. However, there is a lack of information in literature and empirical research concerning variables considered relevant to their high performance. This dissertation examines two variables affecting NGOs performance; namely, examining the relationship between performance and the characteristics and strategies of NGOs with Consultative Status with the United Nations. In examining organizational variables influencing high performance of NGOs with Consultative Status with the UN, the following 16 operational factors/indicators that define the characteristics and strategies of NGOs are identified and rated in degree of importance by representatives of the responding NGOs. The 11 operational factors/indicators of the first independent variable, characteristics of NGOs, in the study are (a) goal setting, (b) goal clarity, (c) long-term decisions, (d) character of decision-making processes, (e) decision-making structure, (f) clarity of the day-to-day decision-making process, (g) organizational structure, (h) communication, (i) span of control, (j) task structure, and (k) overall effectiveness. The five operational factors/indicators of the second independent variable, strategies of NGOs, are (a) principal strategy, (b) intervening strategies, (c) interdependence in implementation, (d) determinants of performance effectiveness, and (e) survival. This study provides significant background data for future inquiries into issues related to the organizational design and structure of NGOs with Consultative Status with the UN. The findings add meaning to existing empirical research aiming at a better understanding of issues related to the assessment of NGOs performance. The focus on key organizational variables influencing high performance of NGOs and the factors that define them has significant implications in relation to NGO management, policymaking, and advancing empirical research in this area of study. In addition to taking few steps further in understanding some of the structural and strategic processes that may affect the performance of NGOs with Consultative Status with the UN, other contributions include: Establishing baseline-data references for future empirical research on examining performance variables of NGOs; Applying a design approach for mapping performance variables and their links to operational factors; and Setting performance indicators and benchmarks for assessment of performance