Challenges in localization and the role of trust
Authors
Schmidt, Sarah Juul ; Offersen, Elena Fyrstenborg ; Kure, Emilie Kallehauge
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-28
Pages
90
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvilke udfordringer lokale humanitære organisationer i Ghana og Kenya møder i lokaliseringsprocesser, og hvordan deres tillid til internationale organisationer påvirker samarbejdet. Studiet anvender en kvalitativ, socialkonstruktivistisk tilgang og et casestudie baseret på semistrukturerede interviews med tre lokale organisationer. Analysen kombinerer interviewdata med eksisterende litteratur og et teoretisk afsæt i Mayer, Davis og Schoormans model for organisatorisk tillid samt Moyos kritik af bistandsafhængighed i Dead Aid. Resultaterne peger på finansiel afhængighed af internationale donorer, begrænset indflydelse på beslutningsprocesser og magtubalancer, som kan fastholde eksternt definerede prioriteringer. Samarbejdet giver samtidig adgang til finansiering, kapacitetsopbygning og netværk, men medfører også sårbarhed og risiko for marginalisering. Tillid fremstår som en faktor, der kan afbøde oplevelsen af disse udfordringer: Når den styrkes gennem transparent kommunikation, kulturel engagement og langvarige partnerskaber, fremmer den mere inkluderende og bæredygtige relationer. Omvendt kan overfladisk eller ensidig tillid fastholde afhængigheder, som lokaliseringsdagsordenen søger at nedbringe. Overordnet viser studiet, at stærk tillid kan omforme samarbejdsrelationer og understøtte mere meningsfulde og mere ligeværdige partnerskaber.
This thesis examines the challenges faced by local humanitarian organizations in Ghana and Kenya during localization and how their trust in international organizations shapes collaboration. The study adopts a qualitative, social constructivist approach and a case study design based on semi-structured interviews with three local organizations. The analysis integrates interview evidence with existing literature and a theoretical framework drawing on Mayer, Davis and Schoorman’s model of organizational trust and Moyo’s critique of aid dependency in Dead Aid. Findings indicate financial dependence on international donors, limited influence over decision-making, and power imbalances that reinforce externally driven priorities. Collaboration also offers access to funding, capacity-building and networks, yet exposes local actors to vulnerability and marginalization. Trust emerges as a factor that can soften how these challenges are experienced: when nurtured through transparent communication, cultural engagement and long-term partnership, it supports more inclusive and sustainable relationships. Conversely, shallow or one-sided trust risks perpetuating the dependencies that localization aims to reduce. Overall, the study suggests that strong trust can reshape partnerships and enable more meaningful and equitable collaboration.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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