1st Edition
International Development Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Managing international development and aid programs often relies on trial and error and flexibility. Practitioners need a mix of management theory and field practice to prepare them for work in other countries—transitional, developing, wealthier, and poorer alike. Filling an important gap in the literature for graduate students and practitioners in the public sector, private firms, contractors, and nonprofit organizations that manage development assistance projects, this is a guide to dealing with core issues likely to be faced in doing field work.
International Development Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations offers an accessible primer on the basics of managing and motivating people, teams, and organizations. It focuses on challenges and opportunities to managing in difficult cultures and contexts, including hostile political regimes. The book takes a deeper look at management in four sectors: public finance, urban transport, K–12 education, and natural resources and the environment. Presented throughout the book are 28 cases, designed to stimulate critical discussions, as well as five technical exercises to allow integration of theory and practice. This textbook is supplemented by slides for teaching along with a sample syllabus. It is addressed to current and future international aid managers, including those enrolled in international management and international development courses at the university level. Professional development organizations, such as contractors, nonprofits, and donors, will also find the book a useful addition to their training materials.
1 Dimensions of Management 2 International Management Context and Culture 3 Managing as Problem-Solving 4 Fiscal Management 5 Managing International Transportation 6 Managing International Educational Systems 7 International Environmental Management 8 Summary and Conclusions
Biography
George M. Guess is an Adjunct Professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA. He is the author of Building Democracy and International Governance (Routledge, 2018) and co-author, with Thomas Husted, of International Public Policy Analysis (Routledge, 2016).
“International Development Management’s practical, core-issue contributions will be of considerable value to current and aspiring professionals in public and non-governmental positions. The detailed and engaging case studies and experiential exercises provide outstanding practical learning opportunities. Professor Guess’ extensive experience in the field and as a public administration professor richly informs his treatment.”
Peter Koehn, Professor Emeritus in Political Science, University of Montana, USA“International development projects, however carefully researched and elegantly designed, often fail at the implementation stage because of the unanticipated challenges facing project managers. George Guess’s important new book offers operational remedies to these challenges. It is a must read for aspiring development professionals.”
Andrew S. Natsios, Executive professor, George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service; Director, Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, Texas A&M University, USA"Guess’ book offers insight into, and skills to navigate, the most difficult managerial challenges of international development, from weak institutions to corruption to under-resourced budgets. The light-hearted approach is chock-full of examples and deceptively effective to equip the next generation of international aid managers."
Christine R. Martell, University of Colorado Denver, USA
