Dilemmas and Rigors of the International Development Cooperation Dimension ()
1. Introduction
At the global level, there is the international development cooperation (IDC) policy, which aims to reduce and eradicate poverty by supporting the economic, social, and environmental development of developing countries, as well as their gradual integration into the global economic and trade circuit. The role of international development cooperation is to support less developed countries through fair and effective policies and programs, in order to help their recovery. In this context, the results, and annual reports of the programs, issued by the donor countries, often end up in the spotlight, due to the poor impact generated on the countries involved in the programs.
The rapid and spectacular evolution of the international development cooperation dimension reflects an increased interest among specialists. This research rigorously deals with a wide range of rigors and dilemmas that have arisen over time. The importance of debates gives us multidimensional analyses that help us to establish links and correlates in terms of involving specialists in the implementation of policies and programs.
This research is multidimensional research, which aims to analyze the concerns of specialists in the field, in order to create a clear vision of what does not work and what should be improved. Due to the fact that this research addresses the dilemmas that have arisen over time, we can easily observe which are the most persistent dilemmas in this area. Once problems are identified, new methods of prevention and improvement in policies and programs can be implemented.
The main purpose of the study is to highlight the contribution of specialists on the debated topic, as well as to obtain a result anchored in reality, by analyzing previously published studies on the topic concerned, in order to follow certain differences or trends in the studies.
2. Meta-Analysis of the Most Cited Specialized Works on the Topic of International Development Cooperation, Period 2017-2021
In order to follow up on the research, I will conduct a Meta-analysis with the most cited specialized papers, on the topic of international development cooperation, the period 2017-2021. Meta-analysis is a research tool that combines the results of multiple scientific studies. This technique allows us to review a field of research and determine the degree to which a particular result has been successfully replicated by various research (Eden, 2002). This technique is based on a quantitative analysis of the results obtained from studies conducted in a particular field of research. The purpose of the meta-analysisis to arrive at a “super-result” describing the intensity of the phenomenon studied in the general population.
2.1. Formulating of the Research Questions
The review of the literature has the advantage that it can give us a broader description of the concepts, which allows much more in-depth analysis and clear contextual relationships between scientific researches. It provides evidence of an effect, and, if well conducted, have the capacity to engender new ideas and directions for a particular field (Snyder, 2019).
In the approach of this chapter, we will interrogate the quality of policies and programs in the field of IDC. Starting from the assumption that the SDGs, adopted in Paris 2015, come with a rigorous guide, incorporating seventeen main objectives and 169 targets (sub-objectives), we should easily determine the quality of international development cooperation, from the perspective of policies and programs. Discussing the issue of hypotheses in meta-analysis, Mullen (1989) certifies that this stage is decisive for a good conduct of the entire activity.
In other words, throughout this research I will aim to answer the question:
What is the quality of international development cooperation, in terms of policies and programs?
To follow up on the question above, I will query the research platforms Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus, from the perspective of the most cited papers.
2.2. Bibliographic Search and Identification of the Target Group
Therefore, in order to deepen our quantitative research and bring it from general to specific so that we can achieve the proposed goal, I initiated the search on the research platforms WoS & Scopus, aiming for the topic to be included both in the title and in the topic of scientific publications, the chosen period is 2017-2021.
So, after querying the WoS and Scopus platforms, I obtained 218 scientific documents (Web of Science 116 and Scopus 102). Since I have noticed that most of the scientific papers present on the Web of Science are also present in Scopus, I will continue the research, on the Web of Science platform.
Therefore, on the Web of Science platform I have identified 116 scientific papers of which seventy-two are articles, fifteen chapters of books… (see Table 1).
The primary areas of research are: International relations; Development studies; Political science, Economics… (see Table 2).
From the table above we can conclude that the above topic has a multidimensional nuance and is debated by specialists from different fields.
In Diagram 1 we can observe that: in 2017 we have 19 research; 2018 we have 27 research; 2019 we have 18 research; 2020 we have 21 research; 2021 we have 15 research. I note that in terms of the number of research, we have a slight decrease, which may be due to the Covid 19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus.
Table 3 represents the most cited publications, and is divided into two parts, the first part represents closed access research, and the second part is represented by open access research.
According to the most cited scientific papers (WoS, period 2017/2021), we have identified 39 research out of 100, which have one or more citations (see Table 3). These scientific papers are of a mixed nature in terms of access to material (open/closed - access). Due to the lack of access to certain researches, we have restricted the field of research, only to open access materials. According to the new sample I have identified 19 researches out of 44, which have one or more quotes. Thus, I will use the first 10 research from the Open Access sample to capture the most heated debates in the field (see second part of the table above).
3. Methodological Review
The research Global norms and heterogeneous development organizations - Introduction to special issue on New Actors, Old Donors and Gender Equality Norms in International Development Cooperation2, presented by Cold-Ravnkilde et al. (2018), which is at the top of open accesses citations, covers gender equality rules in international development cooperation. This article captures on the one hand the main factors that influence the norms in general,
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Table 1. Representation of publications by type of documents. Source: Conceptualization in VoS viewer.
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Table 2. Representation of publications by research areas. Source: Conceptualization in VoS viewer.
Diagram 1. Graphic representation of publications 2017-2021. Source: Own conceptualization.
as well as the interaction between the global policies applied by the old organizations as well as the policies applied by the newly established international organizations, I am referring to the norms of gender equality. From this research it emerges that norms (policies) can be easily stimulated by the environment, such as:
• local circumstances can deliberately influence the implementation of policies at the organization level.
• sometimes policies are rejected for no reason.
• other times the implementation of policies is done without any challenge.
• international organizations (NGOs) can contribute to the development of policies & programs at local/international level.
From this we can conclude that global norms are the basis for the implementation of decisions, and can strongly influence nations and organizations, as well
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Table 3. Representation of the most cited publications. Source: Own conceptualization.
as their functioning mechanisms, but tend to be adopted in different contexts, due to the environment. In other words, the global norms, with regard to this article are flexible and interpretable.
The article Anxieties of an emerging donor: The Korean development experience and the politics of international development cooperation3 follows the narrative part in the context of the new connections and flows of international development cooperation (the case of South Korea). In other words, Jamie Doucette (2020) highlights the emotional dimension of employees, regarding the degree of anxiety and uncertainty when it comes to implementing policies and programs in this field. The article is based on conducting twenty-five interviews (2015-2019) with employees, experts and critics who participated in the program Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP). This program is based on policies and programs recommended by advanced countries (OECD members) on IDC. Employees as well as critics pointed out that certain policies had nothing in common with the implemented programs, other specialists noticed that when alternative programs were used, the Sustainable Development Goals were interpreted. The author, following interpretations of the data obtained, discovers a high dose of anxiety and uncertainty among professionals about the tasks that were going to perform them.
So, the institutions led by the so-called elite class, they were looking to use the official assistance received for the IDC, in business opportunities to provide advantages to the political class in power. Viewed more closely, the Korean development experience is starting to seem less like an alternative development model and more like an area of awkward engagement.
So, we can conclude that the state of anxiety and uncertainty of the specialists is due to the way in which it is desired to force and interpret some policies at the SDGs level, for the purpose of some institutions or people who were at the head of the political class.
Geovana Zoccal Gomes & Paulo Esteves (2018) in the article The BRICS Effect: Impacts of South-South Cooperation in the Social Field of International Development Cooperation4 brings up the issue, how the emergence of the new South-Shouts Cooperation (SSC) partnerships has had a strong impact on the field of IDC. The author refers to the so-called BRICS effect, (BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), in which the new members easily make their mark, such as:
• strengthens its position as an ODA donor.
• introduce new methods of international development cooperation.
• transforms the institutional architecture of governance mechanisms, adding new perspectives in the international development field for cooperation.
In other words, traditional donors (members of the OECD) now need to accommodate the new major forces operating in the field of IDC. Thus, we can see a change where new members (BRICS) instead of adapting to the already well-established rules, they make serious contributions in the field, and traditional donors have to adapt to the innovative approaches.
Van Welie, Boon and Truffer (2020) in the article5 Innovation system formation in international development cooperation: The role of intermediaries in urban sanitation analyzes one of the great challenges of international development cooperation, namely ensuring sanitation in low-income cities. In this respect, a new subdomain is emerging at the domain level that addresses the sanitation without network. Thanks to the specialists in the field for this subdomain, a new set of innovative rules is emerging. Thus, we can see that the new model of sanitation without a network changes the existing approaches slightly, offering innovative solutions worth following. In this research we can see that new directions of application appear at the field level, which means that this area is constantly changing.
The research Development of Cooperation on managing transboundary groundwater in the pan-European region: The role of international frameworks and joint assessments6 (2018), provides us with a political framework, where a gradual shift from monitoring and technical evaluation to legal aspects takes place, as regards transboundary groundwater. Research reveals certain discrepancies (at national/global level) namely: institutional dissonance on the regulation and monitoring of transboundary groundwater; as well as the lack of bilateral arrangements (according to the case study) made between cross-border cooperation bodies on groundwater. Annukka Lipponena and John Chilton say that most of the existing agreements do not explicitly relate to groundwater, although there is an international understanding to this effect. Recognition of the importance of transboundary groundwater was introduced in the 2030 Agenda, on Sustainable Development Goals (2015). The SDGs - 6.5 - Integrated water resources management (IWRM) included cross-border cooperation, with the objective of implementing integrated water resource management at all levels through cross-border cooperation by 2030.
According to data made public by the Economic and Social Council (ESC) – (2020) on Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, goal 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all7 (from 67 countries), the percentage of national cross-border basins subject to an operational agreement was 59% in the period 2017-2018. Only 17 countries reported the implementation of the cross-border agreement. According to the statistical data published by the ESC as well as the results obtained from this article, we can say that there is a great need for specialists in the field of IWRM (SDG - 6.5) to set in motion the implementation of the rules in terms of cross-border cooperation of groundwater resources.
In the article Frompoverty reduction to global challenges, a new horizon for international development cooperation? (Orliange 2020)8 the author captures the impact of the SDGs (Agenda 2015-2030 for Sustainable Development9) as multidimensional challenges. The fight to eradicate poverty remains in the crosshairs of international development cooperation, but the SDGs envisage a broader set of challenges that are essential for the transition to a sustainable economy, in other words, essential for regulating globalization. Thus, we can conclude that the SDGs are considering a broader set of themes that are essential for regulating globalization. I believe that these considerations must be investigated, at the moment there is not enough research to establish a direct correlation.
Kathryn Hochstetler in the article South-South relations and global environmental governance: Brazilian international development cooperation (Hochstetler & Inoue, 2019)10, follows Brazil’s initiative, as regards South-South policies and programs in the field of IDC. In this research, a direct correlation is made between the political class and the programs proposed for the purpose of international development assistance, I quote:
Brazil’s development assistance flourished most clearly during the Lula administrations, plunging under Rousseff and reappearing under-the-radar under Temer.
We can also notice that the funds provided to the international assistance programs in the field of IDC, were provided without conditions and guarantees, I quote funds were provided without policy conditions or safeguard.
From this we can deduce that, on the one hand, political will is needed to carry out a program, and on the other hand we can see the lack of experts in this field.
Wai Hing Wong, Marina Piria and others, in the editorial Management of invasive species in inland waters: technology development and international cooperation (Wong et al., 2017)11, presents the results of conferences in the field of management of invasive species in local waters. The main objective of this conference is to provide an international forum where experts as well as those interested can contribute to the improvement of policies and programs regarding invasive species. The main aim being to improve management practices to minimize the risks posed by invasive species in the context of the economy, the environment and public health. The results obtained indicate that International Development Cooperation can be the key to ensuring education, awareness, communication, and legislation on invasive species globally. From here we can determine the interest of experts in the field to collaborate with the executive forum of international development cooperation, to standardize the best policies and programs.
José Antonio Monje (2018) in the article Antropología del desarrollo y factores críticos para el éxito-de los proyectos de cooperación internacional. El caso de las ONGD en América Latina12 analyzes determining factors linked to the perception of success or failure in terms of international development cooperation programs implemented in the Latin American region. The analysis is made from two perspectives, namely: from the perspective of the agencies (NGOs) dealing with international development cooperation, as well as from the perspective of stakeholders. From the research we can deduce that the specialists from the ONGs focus on achieving the proposed objectives, which most of the time do not reflect the needs and expectations of the stakeholders. In this case, stakeholders want to be involved/consulted on the proposed objectives. The results of the analysis, according to José A. Monje, indicate that for ONGs operating in Latin America, do not have a modus operandi in terms of program implementation. So, the statements indicate that there are certain gaps when it comes to achieving the objectives and expectations of stakeholders. From this we can conclude that an analytical approach is needed, both to increase the participatory dimension and to provide specific tools and methods. The purpose of the dialogue in this context is strictly for designing/achieving the objectives (ONGs) in partnership with the participatory class.
Santana, JP & Pires-Alves, F in the article Development, Inequality and International Cooperation in Health (Santana & Pires-Alves, 2017)13 analyzes the correlations between development, inequality and international cooperation in the field of health. The main objective of this research was to reveal new considerations that can improve a fundamental right of humanity, namely, the right to the public health system.
After analyzing the data provided, we can see that:
· when a developed country makes scientific, technological, and economic progress, inequalities may occur in other countries, due to the fact that they do not have the tools to keep up, I refer to the public health system.
· the tension between international solidarity and national interests can create certain inequalities in the field of public health, the influence of large private companies appears, often at the expense of the collective interest.
· there is a desire to highlight the contextual framework of international development cooperation in the field of health, focusing on the so-called South-South international cooperation process.
· communication is another approach to the problem in question, it wants a free and productive communication, where information reaches stakeholders.
The topics debated in this article can be considered as common goals (for the whole society), necessary to establish new strategists and tools in order to improve a fundamental right of humankind, namely the right to the public health system.
SWOT analysis of the results obtained from the Meta-analysis of the most cited specialized works on the topic of international development cooperation, period 2017-2021.
With the help of SWOT analysis, I will try to create a unique overview of the results obtained from the above meta-analysis. To give meaning to the results I will build a unique image that I will present in a table, in accordance with SWOT elements. A SWOT analysis focuses on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The main purpose of SWOT analysis is to highlight the positive sides of a research, as well as to recognize potential problems that have arisen or may arise over time. This analysis is extremely useful for making decisions, formulating new strategists, and provides a basis for future investigations.
Therefore, the “SWOT analysis” will help to uncover and balance the main factors that characterize and influence decision-making in the field of IDC (see Table 4).
SWOT analysis is able to synthesize the key points of an approach, the results obtained can influence certain factors in decision making from the perspective of policies and programs.
According to the strengths assessments we can say that: the acceptance and implementation of new perspectives, in terms of policies and programs in the field of CID, can be done easily, without impediments or any challenge; IDC advocates for fundamental human rights; IDC can be the key to ensuring education, awareness, communication and legislation…
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Table 4. SWOT representation. Source: Own conceptualization.
As for the weaknesses assessments I notice: policies and programs rejected for no reason; high degree of anxiety and uncertainty among specialists; policies that have nothing to do with the programs implemented; the lack of bilateral commitments made between the internal departments of international development cooperation; lack of experts/specialists; inefficient communication; gaps in achieving the objectives and expectations of stakeholders; there is no modus operandi…
According to the opportunities assessments, we can say that in the IDC field, there is a strong will for involvement/collaboration between specialists, as well as between international organizations. The results indicate that: new members easily strengthen their position as an SDGs donor; international organizations can easily contribute to the support and development of policies &programs at local/international level; new methods of international development cooperation can be introduced, if needed; political will to carry out a program; there is an impressive involvement of experts in the field in order to collaborate with the IDC Executive Forum on the creation and standardization of the best policies and programs…
And the threats assessments, from the above analysis, I capture: lack of institutional coordination; local circumstances can deliberately influence the implementation of policies & programs; lack of bilateral commitments made between internal state departments and internal departments of international development cooperation; involvement of the political class; often experts in the field focus on achieving the proposed objectives, and not on the needs and expectations of stakeholders; national interests can create certain inequalities; large private companies can influence SDGs…
The results of the SWOT analysis, from above, are essential, as future measures can be taken at national/global level in terms of improving the work of the IDC.
4. Conclusion
This research focuses on the evolution in recent years (2017-2021) of the IDC dimension, rigorously analyzing a wide range of dilemmas. Considering the goal, I have proposed, is to highlight the contribution of specialists in the field of research, and respectively the quality of policies and programs in the field of IDC, we can see that this study captures the need for a different approach, in this area. Thus, we can say that we have a model in which the objectives and sub-objectives of sustainable development goals are well designed (Paris Agreement 2015), but when it comes down to the detail part, it looks like not sufficient.
According to the results obtained, we can notice a considerable influence represented by the lack of specialists and commitments (which leads to flexible and interpretable policies), a high degree of anxiety and uncertainty, as well as an ineffective communication. Another major conclusion derives from the involvement of the political class, I refer to the blocking of certain programs creating large gaps in terms of achieving the objectives. So, we can say that among the most important findings noted by experts, regarding the field of IDC, are related to the lack of transparency and standardization, as well as the continuous need for specialists.
Somehow we can also see positive things, in terms of international development cooperation, such as, IDC can be the bridge between society and governmental or non-governmental organizations, in terms of ensuring communication, awareness and education, as well as we can see that (according to the SWOT analysis) there is a stringent will to collaborate among specialists and among international organizations, in order to obtain the best results to match the expectations of the stakeholders.
Based on the SWOT analysis, we can note the unique vision of author Philippe A. Orliange (2020), such as: THE SDGs are essential for the transition to a sustainable economy, in other words, essential for regulating globalization. Otherwise, we can say that the SDGs can become a very important tool for regulating globalization, given that the expertise of specialists is considered. I consider that through the study conducted, new perspectives were opened to larger studies aimed at developing the field of IDC.
NOTES
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modus_operandi.
2https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1464993417750289.
3https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2399654420904082.
4https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/20.500.12413/13925/IDSB49.3_10.190881968-2018.152.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
5https://academic.oup.com/spp/article/47/3/333/5740778?login=false.
6https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581817302471.
7https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N20/108/02/PDF/N2010802.pdf?OpenElement.
8https://www.scielo.br/j/rbpi/a/ZcfDF9yNZLkmGhZmgDCX7ss/?lang=en&format=pdf.
9https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda.
10https://www.scielo.br/j/rbpi/a/CBqwTrBVvqh934Fnr45kPxj/?lang=en.
11https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318795585_Management_of_invasive_species_in_inland_waters_Technology_development_and_international_cooperation.
12https://www.aibr.org/antropologia/netesp/numeros/1301/130106.pdf.
13https://www.scielo.br/j/csc/a/YfTCSGwwYy4ZzjwNFNLbkYz/?lang=en.