Gruber, Andrea SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF HUMAN SERVICES MODELS TRANSFERRED TRANSNATIONALLY: A MODEL FOR TRANSFER AND FIVE CASE STUDIES. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
This dissertation examines the success and sustainability of international transfers of human services models in five NGOs in Hungary. In the transitional democracies of Central and Eastern Europe an increasing number of NGOs have claimed their place in social service provision. Supported by an influx of foreign aid, they have often looked for models outside their countries. These initiatives have often survived only while the external funding was available. Drawing on the literature of technology transfer, evidence-based practices, implementation, and international development, this exploratory case study examines the characteristics and defining attributes of success/sustainability of model transfer and five contributing variables of the social aspect: 1) Identification of Need, 2) Values and Philosophy, 3) Investment in People, 4) Business Approach, 5) Management and Evaluation. Using key informant interviews, a survey, and document reviews it documents and critically examines the experiences and views of personnel at five Hungarian NGOs. The research findings reveal that the main differentiating factor in the success of the model transfer is the importing NGO’s focus on the model, the organization, and its relationship with the exporting NGO during the early years of the model transfer. Intentionally managing the differences that arose from the dissimilar cultural contexts and value sets of the source and the destination countries is also shown to be a critical factor. The importing NGO’s focus on the “just manageable” quantities of work in dealing with the operating environment has relevance in other areas in the international development field. The study also identifies and finds support for the factors that contribute to the success of model transfers, and it operationalizes the “socio” aspect of the transfer process, which will allow for the development of a testable framework of transnational model transfers.
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Details |
| Item Type: | University of Pittsburgh ETD |
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| ETD Committee: | | ETD Committee Type | Committee Member | Email |
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| Committee Chair | Picard, Louis A. | picard@pitt.edu | | Committee Member | Ban, Carolyn | cban@pitt.edu | | Committee Member | Nelson, Paul J. | pjnelson@pitt.edu | | Committee Member | Rauktis, Mary E. | mar104@pitt.edu |
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| Title: | SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF HUMAN SERVICES MODELS TRANSFERRED TRANSNATIONALLY: A MODEL FOR TRANSFER AND FIVE CASE STUDIES |
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| Status: | Published |
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| Abstract: | This dissertation examines the success and sustainability of international transfers of human services models in five NGOs in Hungary. In the transitional democracies of Central and Eastern Europe an increasing number of NGOs have claimed their place in social service provision. Supported by an influx of foreign aid, they have often looked for models outside their countries. These initiatives have often survived only while the external funding was available. Drawing on the literature of technology transfer, evidence-based practices, implementation, and international development, this exploratory case study examines the characteristics and defining attributes of success/sustainability of model transfer and five contributing variables of the social aspect: 1) Identification of Need, 2) Values and Philosophy, 3) Investment in People, 4) Business Approach, 5) Management and Evaluation. Using key informant interviews, a survey, and document reviews it documents and critically examines the experiences and views of personnel at five Hungarian NGOs. The research findings reveal that the main differentiating factor in the success of the model transfer is the importing NGO’s focus on the model, the organization, and its relationship with the exporting NGO during the early years of the model transfer. Intentionally managing the differences that arose from the dissimilar cultural contexts and value sets of the source and the destination countries is also shown to be a critical factor. The importing NGO’s focus on the “just manageable” quantities of work in dealing with the operating environment has relevance in other areas in the international development field. The study also identifies and finds support for the factors that contribute to the success of model transfers, and it operationalizes the “socio” aspect of the transfer process, which will allow for the development of a testable framework of transnational model transfers. |
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| Defense Date: | 03 November 2011 |
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| Approval Date: | 30 January 2012 |
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| Submission Date: | 11 January 2012 |
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| Release Date: | 30 January 2012 |
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| Access Restriction: | No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
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| Patent pending: | No |
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| Number of Pages: | 285 |
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| Institution: | University of Pittsburgh |
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| Thesis Type: | Doctoral Dissertation |
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| Refereed: | Yes |
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| Degree: | PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | technology transfer, human services, implementation, NGOs, sustainability, Central and Eastern Europe |
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| Schools and Programs: | Graduate School of Public and International Affairs > Public and International Affairs |
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| Date Deposited: | 30 Jan 2012 09:07 |
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| Last Modified: | 31 Jan 2012 01:15 |
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