Analyzing the effectiveness of a Kenyan NGO with the HPO Framework

Abstract

Despite rapid growth in the nongovernment organization (NGO) sector in Africa, NGOs struggle to perform as effectively as their beneficiaries and donors would like. Previous research has identified many techniques for improving performance in the NGO context, but none has presented a holistic framework for addressing all the attributes of an effective NGO. To fill this gap, the leaders of a Kenyan NGO agreed to participate in a study of whether the HPO Framework, a scientifically validated technique to evaluate performance and elicit recommendations to transform an organization into a high‐performance organization, could be used to evaluate and improve the NGO's performance. Drawing on quantitative data and qualitative insight gleaned from interviews with internal staff and external stakeholders, the study found that the HPO Framework is a useful diagnostic tool in a nongovernment context to evaluate the current status of an NGO and elicit recommendations for improvement. Although the NGO's managers found the HPO Framework to be effective in measuring its organizational abilities, they did not immediately implement the proposed recommendations. This led to significant difficulties in the organization. As a result of stakeholder concerns, new managers were brought in to follow‐up on the HPO recommendations.

Strategic Management Practices and Performance of Health Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya

“…NGOs have adopted various strategies to enhance their performance. They include having strong visionary leadership, powerful management team and effective teamwork, well-motivated, committed, skilled and flexible workforce; optimal organizational structure; clearly defined mission, vision and objectives, and a sound financial base (de Waal & Olale, 2019). Kenyan NGOs are plagued with specific managerial issues, including queries around strategic planning, staffing, budgeting and the general operating structure of the organization.…”

Impact of structure and culture on organizational performance: the case of Uganda’s High Court

“…We, therefore, use this framework to measure and evaluate the performance of the Ugandan juridical system, and specifically the High Court. Another reason to use the HPO framework is that it has been applied previously both in the public sector (de Waal and Linker 2021;de Waal and Mulimbika 2017;de Waal and Wang 2017;Kalimullah et al 2019) and in Africa (Bagorogoza et al 2013;de Waal and Chachage 2011;de Waal and Olale 2019;Honyenuga et al 2014).…”

Effects of Employee Training on Organizational Effectiveness in NGOs Funded by UNHCR in Kenya: A Case of Care International in Kenya

“…However, unlike corporate entities, evaluating the performance of NGOs is not very easy. (Waal & Olale, 2019) This is partly due to their focus on accountability to donors and not necessarily on other measures of effectiveness such as beneficiary satisfaction and overall organization effectiveness. This study narrows organizational effectiveness to three indicators, which will be considered throughout the study.…”