The challenge of institutional change : a practical guide for development consultants

This book is a guide for consultants and advisors on institutional development (ID) in development cooperation. It is based on a study of about 20 interventions in eight, mostly African, countries. Chapter one defines concepts and provides a practical definition of ID in which four types of ID are distinguished: staff capacity building, organizational development, sector improvement and national institutional change, and international change. Chapter two presents three case studies of successful interventions: Beira technical school (Mozambique); Bukoba rural district council (Tanzania), and Zambia's health training project. Chapter three discusses the dilemma of respect for tradition and culture versus the need for organizational change. Chapter four focuses on the role of the advisor, with an emphasis on expatriate consultants. The last chapter provides the main findings and conclusions.