Public Management Review
2019

Might less accountability be more? INGO-volunteer relationships in the European refugee response (Article)

Martin E.C.* , Nolte I.M.
  • a Freeman College of Management, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, United States
  • b Department of Public Administration, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

This study explores formal and informal responses to the refugee crisis in Europe, specifically, relationships between INGOs and volunteers. Mixing qualitative and quantitative methodologies, it contributes to research on cross-sector collaboration in a transboundary crisis. Results show that actors’ perceptions of each other limit partnering. Governmental action and policy changes precipitated different stages of the response, which influenced INGO-volunteer relationships. INGOs were seen as bureaucratic and conservative in their advocacy, while volunteers were perceived as helpful, flexible and responsive to urgent needs, but unaccountable. Over time, some INGOs determined that risks posed by volunteers working with vulnerable populations outweighed benefits. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

non-governmental organizations Volunteers INGOs Crisis management Refugee crisis

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065161151&doi=10.1080%2f14719037.2019.1599057&partnerID=40&md5=8c6c242b5c6b0ef63b92524dc33f61e1

DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2019.1599057
ISSN: 14719037
Original Language: English