Document(s) 10 of 13

FORMAL RULES

Administrative/Legal Environment

How is the organization affected by the administrative and legal environment?

Administrative

• Has the organization identified other institutions/organizations/groups to which it relates or might be expected to relate?
• Has the organization been identified as influential or important to the sector by consumers, policymakers, suppliers, competitors and other organizations in its external environment?
• Are the organization’s objectives complementary to those of other organizations?
• Do the norms and values of the organization support the work that it intends to carry out?
• Are there useful (formal and informal) conflict resolution systems?
• Is the organization affected by bureaucracy (red tape)?

Legal

• Has the organization clearly defined the role played by its legal framework?
• Does the legal framework support the organization’s autonomy?
• Is the organization’s legal framework clear?
• Is the legal framework consistent with current practice?
• Is the legal regulatory context conducive to work?
• Is relevant legislation up to date?
• Is the judicial system responsive?
• Is the organization affected by:

• – Labor legislation?
• – A regulatory framework?
• – Environmental laws?
• – A public service commission?
• – Public sector reform?
• – Global and regional agreements and standards?

Political Environment

How is the organization affected by the political environment?

• Do government political and ideological trends support the organization’s type of work?
• Does the government system facilitate collaborative arrangements?
• Does the organization have a role to play in national or sector development?
• How motivated is the organization to play its role in national or sector development?
• Does the organization have access to government funding?
• Does the organization have access to international funding?
• Does the organization have access to government knowledge and publications?
• Are there government policies and programs supporting the organization?
• What form of government is involved in the organization’s internal affairs?
• What is the government’s level of involvement in the organization’s internal affairs?
• What effect do international relations have on the organization?
• How much does the government allow civil society to participate in its decision-making process?
• What is the level of political stability?
• How tolerant is the government of risk and the ability to manage change?
• How do political groups pressure the government to affect policy and priorities?
• How much is the organization affected by political corruption, violence or strikes?
• How responsive is the government system to the organization’s needs and issues?

Economic Environment

How is the organization affected by the economic environment?

• Does economic policy support the organization’s ability to acquire technologies and financial resources?
• Is money available to do work?
• Do donors give their support?
• Is the budget allocation adequate for the organization’s work?
• Is external financing available?
• Are there supportive monetary and fiscal policies (including interest rates)?
• Is the debt burden restrictive?
• Are emerging markets conducive?

• Is the currency stable?
• Is there a competitive market environment?
• Are policies and programs threatened by the informal sector?
• Is the economic growth rate supportive of development?
• Is the public service investment program reflective of government priorities?
• Is the tax policy regressive?
• What is the industrial relations climate?
• Are employment rates acceptable?
• Are trade agreements supportive of the country’s comparative advantage ( globalization and free market)?
• What effect is globalization having on the economy?
• What effect is globalization having on the organization?
• Are input costs restrictive?
• Is the financial sector conducive to economic development?

INSTITUTIONAL ETHOS

Social and Cultural Environment

How is the organization affected by the social and cultural environment?

• Does the organization support equity in the workplace?
• Does the organization account for the effect of culture on program complexity? Do prevailing social and cultural values support the organization’s work?
• Does the organization have access to a pool of capable human resources from which it can recruit staff?
• Is the organization affected by:

• – Religious/ethnic/gender/class customs and biases?
• – Cultural values/norms (e.g., Christmas holidays)?
• – Violence and crime?
• – Security issues on project sites?
• – Nepotism?
• – Corruption?
• – Chronic diseases, health, nutrition (can be a whole new category)?
• – Cultural behavior?
• – Preconceived attitudes toward donor agencies?
• – Political/social instability (e.g., mafias)?

CAPABILITIES

Technology Environment

Is the technology needed to carry out the organization’s work supported by systems in the broader environment?

• Is there adequate physical infrastructure (power, telecommunication, transport) to support the organization’s work?
• Is the technology needed by the organization to carry out its work supported by the overall level of national technological development?
• Does the system of government facilitate the organization’s process of acquiring needed technology?
• Is human resource development adequate to support new technology?
• How reliable are available utilities, particularly electric power?
• How stable is the cost of available utilities?
• Are trainer resources available?
• What is the organization’s networking capability?
• How adequate are the organization’s data processing facilities?
• Does the organization have access to research?

Ecological and Geographical Environment

• Will the organization’s services be affected by natural phenomena?
• Are the natural environmental conditions conducive and supportive of the organization’s work, or do they impose additional costs or technical challenges?
• Does pollution affect the pace of the organization’s work?
• How will environmental and natural resources policy and legislation affect the organization’s performance?

Document(s) 10 of 13