A review of organizational arrangements in microfinance and health programs

Ruducha, Jenny; Jadhav, Meena

doi:10.29392//001c.11957

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The intensity of relationships was measured by asking key informants whether the nature of their relationship amounted to communication (lowest level of intensity), coordination, collaboration or integration (highest level of intensity). These measures are derived from a review of organizational partnership frameworks that define a continuum of integration from low to high (Gajda, 2004 ; Ruducha & Jadhav, 2018 ). A minimum confirmation process was used to verify the relationship intensity.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multisectoral nutrition planning in Nepal: Evidence from an organizational network analysis

Ruducha¹,

Bhatia

Mann³

et al. 2021

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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Multisectoral approaches are central to the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Nepal joined SUN in 2011 and approved the first 5-year Multisectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP) in 2012, covering 2013-2017. This mixed methods study draws on organizational network analysis (ONA) and qualitative interviews with a sample of 22 organizations to examine (1) levels of engagement and network dynamics among government sectors and development organizations and (2) milestones and processes in the development and implementation of Nepal's MSNP. Findings suggest that the development of the MSNP was related to the high density of organizational connections; the leadership role of the Nepal's National Planning Commission and the National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat; and the bridging roles played by a few government ministries and UN agencies that linked organizations that did not have direct relationships with each other. Specialized roles were observed for the three types of working relationships: policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation. Partners were less connected on MSNP implementation than for policy dialogue and strategic planning, which may have constrained collaborative scale-up efforts. The Ministry of Agricultural Development, in particular, was the conduit for connecting non-health sectors into the broader network. Our study offers insights into the structure and dynamics of multisectoral planning in Nepal. It also contributes to a small but growing literature that illustrates how ONA can be applied to measure and use network results to elucidate the processes for strengthening multisectoral planning and implementation of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multisectoral nutrition planning in Nepal: Evidence from an organizational network analysis

Ruducha¹,

Bhatia

Mann³

et al. 2021

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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“…Microfinance institutions comprising self-help groups (SHGs) are increasingly recognised as promising avenues for expanding health and social services to vulnerable populations 1–3. In India, the concept of women’s SHGs has evolved over the past three decades.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring coordination between women’s self-help groups and local health systems in rural India: a social network analysis

Ruducha¹,

Hariharan

Potter

et al. 2019

BMJ Open

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ObjectivesTo assess how the health coordination and emergency referral networks between women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and local health systems have changed over the course of a 2-year learning phase of the Uttar Pradesh Community Mobilization Project, India.DesignA pretest, post-test programme evaluation using social network survey to analyse changes in network structure and connectivity between key individuals and groups.SettingThe study was conducted in 18 villages located in three districts in Uttar Pradesh, India.InterventionTo improve linkages and coordination between SHGs and government health providers by building capacity in leadership, management and community mobilisation skills of the SHG federation.ParticipantsA purposeful sampling that met inclusion criteria. 316 respondents at baseline and 280 respondents at endline, including SHG members, village-level and block-level government health workers, and other key members of the community (traditional birth attendants, drug sellers, unqualified rural medical providers, pradhans or elected village heads, and religious leaders).Main outcome measuresSocial network analysis measured degree centrality, density and centralisation to assess changes in health services coordination networks at the village and block levels.ResultsThe health services coordination and emergency referral networks increased in density and the number of connections between respondents as measured by average degree centrality have increased, along with more diversity of interaction between groups. The network expanded relationships at the village and block levels, reflecting the rise of bridging social capital. The accredited social health activist, a village health worker, occupied the central position in the network, and her role expanded to sharing information and coordinating services with the SHG members.ConclusionsThe creation of new partnerships between traditionally under-represented communities and local government can serve as vehicle for building social capital that can lead to a more accountable and accessible community health delivery system.

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Assessment of regional networks on nutrition in South Asia: a multi-methods study

Torlesse¹,

Ruducha²,

Mann³

et al. 2022

BMC Public Health

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Background Many national and international organizations are working to improve maternal and child nutrition in countries with high malnutrition prevalence and burdens. While there has been progress in strengthening multi-organizational networks on nutrition at country and global levels, the regional level has received much less attention. We conducted a study to 1) determine the existing relationships and levels of engagement between international organizations working to improve nutrition at the regional level or in at least two countries in South Asia; and 2) examine the experiences and perspectives of international organizations on regional-level communication, coordination or collaboration on nutrition in South Asia. Methods A mixed methods approach involving organizational network analysis (ONA) and semi-structured interviews was used to develop an understanding of the existing network and relationships between international organizations working on nutrition in South Asia. ONA data from 43 international organizations was analysed using a social network analysis software (UCINET) to systematically quantify and visualize the patterns of relationships between organizations. Results We found a high degree of connectivity between most of the international organizations in South Asia, but there were gaps between the many organizations that knew each other and the work they did together regionally on nutrition. Most organizations worked together only ‘rarely’ or ‘sometimes’ on nutrition at the regional level and high-intensity (collaborative) working relationships were uncommon. Organizations of the same type tended to cluster together, and a small number of UN agencies and multilateral organizations were central brokers in the nutrition working relationships. Perceived constraints to the nutrition working relationships included organizations’ agenda and mandate, threats to visibility and branding, human and financial resources, history, trust and power relations with other organizations, absence of a regional network for cooperation, and donor expectations. There was high demand to remedy this situation and to put network mechanisms in place to strengthen communication, coordination and collaboration on nutrition. Conclusions Opportunities are being missed for organizations to work together on nutrition at the regional level in South Asia. The effectiveness of regional nutrition networks in influencing policy or programme decisions and resources for nutrition at country level should be explored.

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A review of organizational arrangements in microfinance and health programs

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

Multisectoral nutrition planning in Nepal: Evidence from an organizational network analysis

Multisectoral nutrition planning in Nepal: Evidence from an organizational network analysis

Measuring coordination between women’s self-help groups and local health systems in rural India: a social network analysis

Assessment of regional networks on nutrition in South Asia: a multi-methods study

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