The NGOs’ Knowledge and Socio-economic Development: An Empirical Investigation in Bangladesh

Abstract

This empirical study investigates the type of knowledge the NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) transfer to the beneficiaries in Bangladesh.  About 22,000 NGOs are in operations in Bangladesh with a view to developing the socio-economic conditions of their beneficiaries. Knowledge transfer is a crucial element of Knowledge Management (KM) process. The NGO-beneficiaries are the main stakeholders who are engaged in receiving the knowledge transferred by the NGOs. So it is imperative to know the type of knowledge they (the beneficiaries) are receiving from the NGOs. This study follows multi-stage sampling procedure. 14-NGOs (7 large and 7 small of the NGO Affairs Bureau enlisted NGOs) from each administrative division of Bangladesh are purposefully selected. 54-semi-structured interviews consisting of top, middle and lower levels based on the salary grades (18X interviewees from each level) were interviewed. Content analysis technique is used to analyze the interview transcript. The study reveals that NGOs transfer knowledge to the beneficiaries on health and nutrition, knowledge on credit, knowledge on human and legal rights, knowledge on disaster management, knowledge on awareness building, knowledge on environmental issues, agricultural knowledge, knowledge on income generating skills and other miscellaneous knowledge. Future researchers may explore further research on the following issues: (i) how far the NGOs could reduce poverty through knowledge transfer in Bangladesh? (ii) Is the knowledge transferred by the NGOs sufficient for the beneficiaries? (iii) Could the NGOs transfer knowledge as per the requirements of the beneficiaries?

Key Words: Types of Knowledge, NGO, Bangladesh