Formulating research questions is a step where precision is essential. They must flow logically from our framework and be specific enough to guide the literature search, while remaining open enough to not exclude unexpected discoveries.
Keeping in mind our focus on strategic autonomy, our target (registered local NGOs/CSOs), and our objectives (analytical framework, mapping, innovative/replicable models), I propose the following set of research questions as a starting point:
MAIN QUESTION (OVERALL): #
Q0: How does the scientific and operational literature analyze the strategies, influencing factors, and economic models that enable locally initiated NGOs and CSOs in Africa to achieve and maintain their strategic and programmatic autonomy vis-à-vis funders?
SPECIFIC SUB-QUESTIONS (DETAILING THE MAIN QUESTION): #
Q1 (Concept & Framework): What are the main conceptual frameworks and operational definitions used in the literature to understand the strategic autonomy of African NGOs/CSOs, and what are the tensions or debates identified around this concept?
- Related objective: Basis for the analytical framework.
Q2 (Influencing factors): What internal (governance, leadership, organizational capacities, etc.) and external (funding environment, public policies, socio-economic context, donor practices, etc.) factors are identified as determinants (positive or negative) for the strategic autonomy of these organizations?
- Related objective: Enrich the analysis framework, understand the conditions for success/failure of the models.
Q3 (Models & Strategies): What financing strategies (diversification, own revenue generation, local philanthropy, etc.) and business models (social enterprise, hybrid model, etc.) are documented as being implemented by African NGOs/CSOs to strengthen their strategic autonomy, and what is the evidence of their effectiveness or limitations?
- Related objective: Identify innovative/replicable models, feed the analysis framework.
Q4 (Challenges & Trade-offs): What are the main challenges, risks, and trade-offs (e.g., mission drift, instability, conflicts of interest) associated with pursuing strategic autonomy and implementing associated business models for NGOs/CSOs in Africa?
- Related objective: Critical analysis for the analytical framework, realistic evaluation of the models.
Q5 (Mapping & Variations): Does the literature highlight significant variations in approaches, challenges, or successes in strategic autonomy depending on the size of the organization, the sector of intervention, the geographic region (e.g., French-speaking vs. English-speaking Africa), or the national context?
- Related objective: Bibliographic mapping, contextualization of models and framework.
REFLECTIONS ON THESE QUESTIONS: #
- In our opinion, they cover the different dimensions that we have mentioned: definition, causes/factors, solutions/strategies, obstacles/limits, and contextual variations.
- They maintain the focus on strategic autonomy and not just financial autonomy.
- They direct the search towards elements useful for your two main objectives (analysis framework and identification of models).
- Q5 is particularly important for mapping and for qualifying the notion of “replicability”.
