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Explaining the Role of Culture and Traditions in Functioning of Civil Society Organizations in Kazakhstan

Abstract  

Recent studies find that Western-style professional nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian
countries are weak and unsustainable. Most of these NGOs developed strong dependency on foreign donors for funds, and did
not develop local network of support. This study is conducted to understand the lack of effectiveness of NGOs in Kazakhstan
and to test popular sentiments toward NGOs. The interview with local and foreign social science experts and public figures
confirm that NGOs in Kazakhstan are weak and unsustainable. The explanations of institutional ineffectiveness lay in disconnect
with local traditions, low visibility of NGOs, and unsupportive government. Survey of general population suggests that people
in Kazakhstan know very little about NGOs and do not appreciate their utility. We explain the inability of civil society organizations
to reach out to local people by cultural mismatch. By using the Hofstede national culture model (Culture’s consequences: International
differences in work-related values. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 1984), we argue that local culture is in striking dissonance with the culture of donor countries, which created the NGO agenda
in Kazakhstan.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original paper
  • Pages 1-24
  • DOI 10.1007/s11266-011-9256-7
  • Authors
    • Tamara G. Nezhina, School of Public Service, DePaul University, 14 E. Jackson Boulevard Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
    • Aigerim R. Ibrayeva, Department of Public Administration, College of Social Sciences, KIMEP, The Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research, 2 Abay Ave., Almaty, 050010 Republic of Kazakhstan
    • Journal Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
    • Online ISSN 1573-7888
    • Print ISSN 0957-8765
Posted in: Journal Article Abstracts on 02/21/2012 | Link to this post on IFP |
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