Why trust you? Security cooperation within humanitarian NGO networks

Area of Science:

• Humanitarian Aid and International Relations
• Organizational Studies
• Sociology of Cooperation

Background:

• Growing academic interest in humanitarian non-governmental organization (NGO) cooperation.
• Limited research on cooperation dynamics under competitive conditions.
• Need to understand factors influencing inter-organizational collaboration in humanitarian sectors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the key drivers of security-related cooperation among humanitarian NGOs.
• To explore how network structure influences the development and type of trust.
• To analyze the implications of trust-based cooperation for network inclusivity.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach utilizing 22 semi-structured interviews.
• Focus on humanitarian NGOs operating within competitive environments.
• Analysis of trust-building mechanisms within different network structures.

Main Results:

• Trust is identified as the primary facilitator of security cooperation among humanitarian NGOs.
• Network structure dictates the form of trust: experience-based in small, stable networks; shared identity in large, unstable networks.
• Large, unstable networks exhibit exclusive cooperation ('club governance') based on shared identity and adherence to humanitarian principles.

Conclusions:

• Trust is foundational for security cooperation in humanitarian NGO networks, particularly amidst competition.
• Network architecture significantly shapes trust dynamics and cooperation patterns.
• Exclusive cooperation models may emerge in large, identity-based networks, potentially excluding organizations with differing operational interpretations.