Obsessive Measurement Disorder or Pragmatic Bureaucracy? Coping with Uncertainty in Development Aid Relations

The Swedish Development Research Network (SweDev) and SEI’s Development Policy and Finance Team are happy to present Susanna Alexius and Janet Vähämäki as the keynote speakers for the next Dialogue on Development Research on 6 March, 13:00-14:30 CET. 

Topic

Join Susanna Alexius and Janet Vähämäki as they discuss findings from their newly launched book “Obsessive Measurement Disorder or Pragmatic Bureaucracy? Coping with Uncertainty in Development Aid Relations”. The book is an outcome of a longer research project in which the authors have scrutinized the concept of ‘Obsessive Measurement Disorder’, i.e. what causes an increase in control mechanisms in aid and development organisations? How and when can this prove counterproductive, and what can be done about it? The authors discuss how this concept is related to the quest for certainty in the field of development aid and suggest coping mechanisms and responses that may help to prevent the extremes of obsessive measurement disorder, and instead foster pragmatic, constructive organizing and learning that benefits not only aid organizations and their employees, but also – and more fundamentally – the societies in need. 

The dialogue will include a discussion with Duncan Green as well as time for questions and answers from the audience. 

About the Speakers: 

Susanna Alexius, Associate Professor in Business Administration, is a Research Director at the Stockholm Centre for Organizational Research (SCORE) at Stockholm University with an extensive background in organizational research.  

Janet Vähämäki, PhD in Business Administration, is a Senior Researcher and Team Lead at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) with a long background in development aid practice. 

Duncan Green is a Professor in Practice at the LSE’s International Development, Strategic Adviser at Oxfam GB, and Director of the Global Executive Leadership Initiative’s Influencing Programme. He is also the author of the blog “From Poverty to Power”.  

Welcoming remarks: Carly Evaeus, Project Manager at SEI 

Agenda

• Welcome remarks by Carly Evaeus
• Keynote presentation by Susanna Alexius and Janet Vähämäki
• Discussion with Duncan Green
• Q&A session 
• Concluding remarks by Carly Evaeus

Location and participation

The event will take place on zoom.