Combinations of Conditions for Network Effectiveness: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of 37 International Development Intervention Cases

Most international development projects that aim to eradicate poverty and improve the quality of life of people in low- and middle-income countries are implemented through a collaborative network of multiple parties, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs). However, how network effectiveness in international development projects can be achieved remains unclear. Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, this study explores the causal conditions of network effectiveness of 37 international development projects implemented by South Korean NGOs based on a theoretical lens of collaborative networks. Findings revealed two causal configurations for network effectiveness. Even under a lack of network management capacity and unintegrated networks, or under resource deficiency and lack of network management capacity, high-level local capacity or high-quality collaboration among partners was shown to produce network effectiveness. An in-depth analysis of two cases with successful network effectiveness was also conducted to achieve a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the causal conditions. The findings suggest practical solutions to manage collaborative networks and compensate for deficiencies of diverse conditions to improve network effectiveness.