Accounting and navigating legitimacy in Tanzanian NGOs
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of accounting in non‐governmental organisations (NGOs). It seeks to understand accounting processes and reporting practices in NGOs and the conditions that sustain those processes and practices. NGOs have become important institutions in world affairs but accounting research has not developed significant interest in their operations.
Design/methodology/approach
The research executes a grounded theory strategy as the principal methodology for the inquiry. Fieldwork was undertaken in three Tanzanian NGOs.
Findings
The research established the importance of accounting in the process of navigating organisational legitimacy. This was achieved due to its important role in symbolising organisational competence. Two principal strategies were employed by organisations in navigating legitimacy – building credibility and bargaining for change.
Originality/value
The paper makes a contribution to the limited empirical research into accounting in NGOs in developing countries and to grounded theory, accounting research. The principal finding, that in the NGOs studied the primary purpose of accounting was its symbolic use in navigating legitimacy and that it has a minimal role to play in internal decision making, is an important finding for practice as well as for understanding and knowledge. Finally, the paper sheds light on accountability in NGOs by narrating how the phenomenon is constructed and perceived by organisations and stakeholders. Future research should extend our understanding of these phenomena across a broader range of NGOs to incorporate differences in geographical location, religious affiliation and also include Northern donor organisations.
Keywords
Citation
Goddard, A. and Juma Assad, M. (2006), "Accounting and navigating legitimacy in Tanzanian NGOs", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 377-404. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513570610670343
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited