The notorious nine: Critical problems in project implementation

Analyzing decentralized resource regimes from a polycentric perspective

“…One of the core findings of the extant literature on decentralized natural resource governance is that effective decentralized governance requires that local governments possess sufficient internal institutional capacity to be able to operate adequately (Ellis and Mdoe 2003;Fiszbein 1997;Gow and Morss 1988;Larson 2002;Leighton 1996;Lewis 2003;de Oliveira 2002;Smoke and Lewis 1996;Warren and Issachar 1983;Wirtshafter and Shih 1990). To carry out its mandated functions, whatever these might be, local governments need to have a certain level of financial resources, qualified personnel, and the ability to organize their internal affairs.…”

Putting livelihoods thinking into practice: implications for development management

“…Conventional 'blue-print' projects, in which the objectives and activities were carefully planned in advance, were too structured to allow for meaningful participation by beneficiaries in planning their own development. In addition they were not flexible enough to allow for differing and complex responses, and too influenced by donor priorities and funding constraints (Gow and Morss 1988). (Hulme 1995) categorises those who argue against the 'scientific-rational' basis for intervention as seeking an 'exit' from the existing conventions of project management.…”

A critical assessment of Jamaica's national poverty eradication programme

“…In Development Studies, the project management literature as well as inter-organisational analyses have for a very long time noted how notorious and intractable co-ordination in project management involving multi-organizations could be (Rondinelli, 1989). Gow and Morss (1988) counted co-ordination as one of the notorious nine problems of 'projectized' development. In the words of Robinson et al (2000, p. 1) 'high hopes were being pinned on the capacity of different groups and organisations to work together, co-operatively and in partnership, in the name of human development'.…”