Development Studies: Theory of Change in NGOs Analysis

This essay delves into the critical disparity between the theoretical frameworks and practical application of the 'Theory of Change' model within Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The study employs the United Nations (UN) as a central case study, examining its approaches to international cooperation and global peace initiatives. The essay investigates the challenges of implementing change, considering factors that affect the application of these theories, and evaluates the UN's effectiveness. It explores key concepts of the theory of change, including the role of stakeholders and the influence of assumptions. It further identifies gaps between theoretical ideals and practical realities, analyzing factors that may affect its application. By exploring the UN's operational strategies, the essay aims to provide insights into the complexities of organizational change within the context of development studies.

Running head: DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
The Gap between Theory and Practice of “Theory of Change’: Examining Case Study of
NGO conceptualisations of change
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Introduction
In order to maintain changes in the economic condition of an environment it is
necessary to identify the social activities that are required to be undertaken. According to
Auriacombe (2011), the theory of change includes a broader program analysis and informed
social practise. It has grown out of the planning of traditional logic models with an attempt to
undermine the changes that exist within the society. The essay focuses analyses the gap and
conducts an analysis on the United Nations so that a broader understanding of the gap can be
identified.
The United Nations or the UN is an intergovernmental organisation that has given
with the task to promote co-operation between international countries and maintain
international order. The charter for the UN was signed in June 1945 and entered into force in
October 1945 (Un.org 2018). It replaced the League of Nations and has since managed to
remain one of the most effective NGOs in the world with over 193 countries acting as its
members. In 2001, the United Nations set a distinction in winning the noble price for peace
(Un.org 2018). It has been believed that the United Nations is an important force for
maintaining peace in the world and among the countries. At the same time, critics have said
that the United Nations tend to favour only its founding members and are ineffective to
prevent any type of danger due to the corruption among the members (Mayne 2015).
The essay focuses on the gap that exists between the theoretical and the practice of
theory of change. One of the challenging factors for every government sector is the
implementation of change and convincing of the society to embrace the changes. The
theoretical implementation as well as the practical implementation of the changes varies
largely due to factors that may affect its application in the ideas.
Theory of change

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Hayes (2018) is of the opinion that in order to maintain changes it is necessary that
every sector or facility make plans so that the changes can be implemented in a perfect
manner without any hindrance. Therefore, application of theory of change is required for
gaining the confidence of the people in the society and at the same time ensuring that these
changes be applied in a proper manner. However, policy evaluations have increased in a
dramatic manner, which features the expectations of the stakeholders (Sullivan and Stewart
2006). Therefore, the theories related to change can be used to analyse the gap and ensure
that an organisation like the United Nations can benefit from the application of these models.
Theory of changes can be categorised as DFID country and sector programmes theory along
with general archetypal casual pathways.
Purpose of theory of change
One of the most important purposes of change is that it needs to be implemented in
order to understand the effectiveness of its progress. Doppelt (2017) is of the opinion that
application of theory of change model is perhaps the can help in analysing the changes
required in the policies and procedures that are undertaken by an organisation such as the
United Nations. The related theory of change can be used to identify the purpose as well as
help in the comparison of the models. As stated by Kuipers et al. (2014) the purpose of
theory of change varies widely and it culminates in the manner in which a continuum is
maintained with an organisational setting.
Goetsch and Davis (2014) most theory of change concept includes a large picture in
relation to the changes that takes place within an organisation. For large organisations such as
the United Nations, the change need to be made so that member countries can continue with
the theme of the organisation in bringing about world peace and harmony among people
(Un.org 2018). However, an arbitrary connection rests on the theories that include an

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understanding of the social program and the relevancy it may have on the impact of change.
Beliefs and assumptions about the application of changes need to be made. For the United
Nations to apply such change model it can require excess convincing of the employees as
well as the members (Un.org 2018). Focus on the theories of change can include
effectiveness in the peace building intervention.
Role of key concepts in the theory of change
Lozano, Ceulemans and Seatter (2015) the existence of the theory of change can be
attributed to numerous variations as well as the style. It involves an articulation of the
organisation and the manner in which it can help in bringing about changes in the assessment
of a change that need to take place. In the case of the United Nations, it is necessary that the
changes made within the organisation be communicated with the stakeholders. The
stakeholders of the organisation are the members that are associated with the improvement
and development of the world (Un.org 2018). Hence, the opinion provided by these people is
important much as the employees working in it along with any other senior members (Chang
2016).
In this regard, it can be said that the role of the managers is to ensure that changes
made be communicated with the employees and theories be applied to make it practical.
Cummings, Bridgman and Brown (2016) are of the opinion that one of the most difficult
activities for an organisation is to analyse the major activities that are carried around in the
theory of change is confusion regarding its application. The fact can be related with the
United Nations as it has been seen that the organisation have managed to create a negative
impact based on the corruption and bias attitude (Un.org 2018). Hence, despite the
application of theory of change, the transition to the practical phrase can be difficult for the
continuation of the United Nations.

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Hence, a gap can be identified in a case that highlights the application of theory of
change as well as the practical application of it in the world. According to Samuel, Found and
Williams (2015) the major gap in the theoretical and practical application is the fact that
change applied based on the analysis of the tangible meaning it provides to people and the
unrealistic application of it. In the case of the United Nations, the changes that are to be made
in the organisation need to focus on the development of work as well on the development of
the society (Un.org 2018). Therefore, this can be considered as one of the manners in which
theory of change can be applied to the organisation.
Dyson and Todd (2010) theory of change concept can be understood based on the
continuum it has in its applicability. The use of technical tool can be related with the thinking
associated with the theory of change and at the same time political literacy can be maintained
in the case. In this case, it can be said that the United Nations need to provide understand the
concept of the theory of change and its political intervention in the prevention of excessive
change in the organisation. This can help in the development of the organisation in the
society (Un.org 2018). In this regard, it can be said that the application of corporate social
responsibility can help in analysing the technical aspects along with the political changes.
Assumptions
Weiss (1995) is of the opinion that four broad continuum can be identified that can
highlight the effectiveness of the application of theories of change. Theory of change can
help in the strategic planning of an organisation so that practically changes can be mapped
and the change process helps in gaining an expected outcome of the management of change.
For these purposes, theory of change is used in a collaborative manner with log frame
approaches. At the same time Samuel, Found and Williams (2015) is of the opinion that

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theory of change can be used for monitoring and evaluation. The articulation of the theory of
changes helps in the expected processes and results that can be reviewed with time.
This can allow organisations to analyse the contributions it makes to changes and at
the same time revise the application of the theory of change. Hence, a proper description can
be provided that can help in understanding the application of the theory of change.
Auriacombe (2011) is of the opinion that the theory of change allows organisations to
communicate the chosen process of change with the internal and external partners, which are
the stakeholders.
A simple description can be provided that can help in understanding the theory of
change applicable in the United Nations. The theory of change in this case can be understood
as minimal way of engaging with the employees and focus more on the development of the
society. It can also help in learning the theory of change and can assist people to clarify on
the development of the theory along with the organisational programmes. This can be related
to the idea that theory of change can be used as a thinking tool (Jayatilleke and Lai 2018).
As stated earlier, complications can occur in the development and adoption of the
theory of change mainly because of the confused condition of its existence. The United
Nations can undertake the development of strategies such as corporate social responsibility so
that related changes can be developed and at the same time help in the development of the
society in which it operates (Un.org 2018). It has been seen that the application of theory of
change can help in the development of four such approaches and ensure that overlapping does
not take place at any time during the course of the business. As stated by Laudon and Laudon
(2016) a broader impact on the planning can take place with the development and assessment
of learning approach.

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However, Matos and Esposito (2014) are of the opinion that the room for overlapping
is more on the application of the theory of change and due to this it can be said that every
organisation can maintain its formative dominance. Thereby, starting points can be made in
order to understand the situation. One of the starting points can be the evaluative or formative
manner of the application of the theory of change. Chang (2016) is of the opinion that many
evaluation specialists is of the belief that theory of change is useful due to its formative
approach along with the emphasis with the beginning by implementing and using a theory of
change required for evaluation.
Evidence
It can be said that an application of the evaluation focused theory of change can be
prospective. It can be designed from the beginning of a programme or its retrospective and
continued until the time of the evaluation to understand an underpinned practice necessary for
the adoption of influential factors. At the same time, Cummings and Worley (2014) stated
that the explanatory or exploratory approach could help in seeking an explicit along with the
existing theory necessary to explain an organisation or programme. In order to analyse the
practical application it is necessary that the United Nations learn and test the working of the
theory (Un.org 2018). An exploration can be made to analyse the outset without any
opportunities of gaining a preconception.
The United Nations need to remain linear or complex so that it can seek to lay out
specific set of steps that create a cause and effect relationship which can be tested at every
level (Un.org 2018). As stated by Rosemann and vom Brocke (2015) that people seek to
understand and represent theory of change from a systemic or network perspective so that it
reflects the complexity that a proper change may processes. At the same time, Cummings and

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Worley (2014) observed that it helps in displaying the actors, chains, linkages and learning
loops that can help in the application of theory of change in an organisation.
According to Neves and Schyns (2018), one of the reasons that can be applied for
rejecting the theory of change is the identification of gaps that exist between the theoretical
application as well as the practice of theory of change in the society. A larger and broader
step towards the development of change is required so that every organisation can implement
the changes required for its development. For the United Nations, the steps may be short but
the eventual application of the theory of change may be enough to help to keep its reputation
in the market. Worley and Mohrman (2014) are of the opinion that irrespective of the division
of steps, implementation of the theory of change can be challenging due to the selling of the
change required.
Dasborough, Lamb and Suseno (2015) are of the opinion that a tension between the
theory of change as a strategy that is externally imposed and a strategy that is an internally
driven process exists between the managers. Most organisations like the United Nations may
adopt the theory of change as an internal strategy that can be seen as a way to rationalise its
efforts in a better manner. On the other hand, critical organisations may tend to complete the
process with response to the demands made by the donor.
Social science
Jeston (2014) is of the opinion that the strategic vision that is proposed in theory of
change need to provide the value that the changes may bring about. This particular aspect of
the model can be related to the social science activity as contextualising and understanding of
the evidence-based module is required for the application of the theory. In the case of the
United Nations, the value denotes the corporate social responsibility that the company need to
undertake so that it can continue its development in the world. As stated by Kaufman (2017)

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the value set need to describe the effectiveness of the change. Failure to do so may lead to the
idea being abandoned and at the same time create no scope for the application of change.
Ideas about theory of change best practise
The application of the social science theory may be useful due to the contextualising
and understanding of the evidence-base used for theory of change. According to Rosemann
and vom Brocke (2015), the traditions involved with the social science theory includes the
political and economy, rights-based approaches that also involve innovation theory and
power analysis. This may be useful to clarify the key points in theory of change thinking
within the organisations. Similarly, Cummings and Worley (2014) counters this by saying
that knowledge about and the incorporation of the existing social science theories into the
strategies can help in sharpening the thinking so that it can provide new methods of looking
at the policy world. This may ultimately lead to the improvement of the application of
theories of change.
Fuchs and Prouska (2014) is of the opinion that the theories of change is to engage
with various social science theories and it can be important that organisations understand,
develop and assess the critical challenges that can be applicable in the modes of analysis.
These perspectives gained from the analytical review and the worldview may provide further
informed based on the historical ideas. According to O’Connor, Jimmieson and White
(2018), this can help in increasing the self-evident and provide an association with the
western scientific and social science traditions. Clearly, these perspectives can contain
various assumptions that deal with the role of the importance of literature and its application
in an organisation such as that of the United Nations. Debate can be made about considering
this as a plausible undertaking. As observed by Pulakos et al. (2015) it would be feasible
enough to identify key assumptions that are based upon a particular analytical approach.

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Samuel, Found and Williams (2015) stated that it could be considered as a
problematic approach that requires the implementation of theory of change so that a
programme can be sold that may be a privilege for the inclusion of donor requirements. For
the United Nations political preferable approaches in the theory of change can be considered
for wider project planning (Un.org 2018). The approaches undertaken may ultimately brush
away the concerns for implementing organisational needs based on the programme and the
intended beneficiaries. In the case of the United Nations, it can be said that the application of
the programmes of the theory can help in bringing about effective changes in the society.
Process
Any decisions made in the United Nations are put to vote between the various
members and the outcome can help in engaging the idea of change (Un.org 2018). Therefore,
it can be said that the application and analysis of the theory of change and the programmes
that can be introduced to make the changes can be performed in a proper manner. Zahid
(2016) is of the opinion that defining the objectives of an organisation is required so that
strategies can be made to remain competitive. In the case of the United Nations, the
objectives are focused on the development of the society around the world.
However, Murphy, Gardoni and McKim (2018) highlight a clear problem that
requires the review of the application of the theory of change. The reason for the application
can be the fact that clarity of the group and its level is appropriate for the United Nations to
focus its attention on. However, Mayne (2015) stated that there remains a debate about
whether the application of the theory of change be done on all levels. Hence, questions
regarding the levels of theory of change can be implemented.
Kerzner and Kerzner (2017) provided an understanding that performing need to
presume and necessitate the creation of the application of a unifying theory. This takes into

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account all aspects of change associated with the United Nations. Hence, for the organisation
it may be a near impossible task, however at the same time, putting limit to the theory at a
large manner may render the work of the United Nations as one-dimensional (Un.org 2018).
Therefore, this particular issue can be considered to have serious bearing on the plausibility
of the theory of change as a concept.
Content
As stated by Smollan (2015) target is made on the intended change process of an
organisation and the contributors of the change. A starting point need to be taken into
consideration so that changes can be brought about in the functioning of the United Nations.
The starting points to the changes include changing of the individuals that involve the
application of strategies, which aid in shifting the attitudes and perceptions. It creates
feelings, behaviours and motivations such that the participants get the feeling of an
intervention present in the organisation.
Krüger (2018) is of the opinion that the programmes, which focus on changing the
relationships often, bring about new networks for coalition and alliances that involve other
cooperative relationships. In the United Nations, these relationships exist between members
of conflicting groups that not only positively change the individuals but also directly involve
them, so that a powerful force for fostering social changes can help in the resolving of
conflicts (Un.org 2018). These are termed as meso-level change strategies that aim to have an
effect on both the individuals and social structures present in a country.
As observed by Connell and Kubisch (1998) theory if change can be associated with
the Comprehensive Community Initiatives (CCI) that help in evaluation of the strategies. The
efforts are lined and aimed directly at elaborate considerations such as legislative, electoral
and judicial reform. For the United Nations it can help in the establishment a new mediating

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mechanism and forum within the organisation. This can help in the economic development
initiatives and the development of infrastructure support for the basic human necessities
(Un.org 2018). Hence, this can help the United Nations to continue with the development of
the individuals and the society in which it functions.
Stein and Valters (2012) has criticised the application of the model stating that the it
involves issues that may render an organisation to be helpless and at the same time provide it
with problems that may lead to the application of the issues. Therefore, it can be said that in
the case of the United Nations, the application of the theory cannot be made as the
organisation is renowned internationally and at the same time, the number of employees and
the activities undertaken are excessive. As stated by Krüger (2018) the managers need to
assess every element of a company in order to apply the theory for making effective changes
at different levels. Therefore, it can be said despite the analysis of the issues can be made so
that light can be shed on the criticality of the application of the theory of change.
Discussion
As stated by Van der Voet, Groeneveld and Kuipers (2014) two prominent and main
issues can be made to think that involve more about the role of the end user or the beneficiary
party in the application of the theory of change process. One of the issues is the extent to
which analysis of power can be made to inform about the approaches that is made in the
theory of change. In addition to this, certain problems can be raised that may come up based
on the confusion that surrounds different approaches to the level involved in the theory of
change process.
Palthe (2014) stated that the need to make sells based on the theory of change and its
appropriate level of implementation in the organisational scenario can be challenging. In the
case of the United Nations, analysis is made based on the accuracy, honesty and transparent