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NGOs—Cooperation and Competition: An Experimental Gaming Approach

Radboud University and Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: d.koch{at}maw.ru.nl.

	Abstract

The number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Tanzania is rapidly increasing, partly due to considerable support from external donors. The implications of the agglomeration of NGOs for local relationships are little understood: Does agglomeration simulate cooperation or enhance competition among them? To address this question, the author used an innovative approach involving game simulation. The specific game developed for this purpose was repeated eight times with a selection of Tanzanian NGOs. Outcomes indicate that willingness to cooperate among NGOs decreases when more of them work in the same area. To check the validity of the game simulation results, the author compared them to those of a survey held among the same NGOs. Even though the two sets of results were roughly similar, some important deviations were also analyzed. The outcomes are used to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both research methods.

First published on December 22, 2008
Simulation & Gaming 2008, doi:10.1177/1046878108327956


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