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Trust, accountability and ‘the Other’ within the charitable context: U.K. service clubs and grant-making activity

Yates, David; Belal, Ataur Rahman; Gebreiter, Florian; Lowe, Alan

Authors

David Yates

Ataur Rahman Belal

Alan Lowe



Abstract

The third sector encompasses many types of not-for-profit organisations (NPOs). This results in a diverse sector, where accountabilities vary and are complex. In this paper, we explore notions of accountability at the micro level of social analysis, between individuals, and enacted through social interaction. We aim to provide detail on how accountability is enacted at this level of analysis, and the role(s) of trust (if any) in this form of accountability. We employ a theoretical framework incorporating the theoretical constructs of accountability, trust and ‘the Other’, with additional support derived from literature that specifically discusses the relationship(s) between accountability, the Other and wider ethics. We employ a qualitative methodological framework, with two sources of data. The primary source of data included 42 semi-structured interviews conducted with service club members, along with representatives of donor organisations, beneficiary organisations and local government. In addition, documentary evidence was utilised in support of the primary data gathered. Following the application of qualitative data analysis techniques, we conclude that, at the micro level of social analysis, trust and accountability are intertwined concepts. We observed that the main mechanism for the discharge of accountability was via the formation and maintenance of personal relationships between members of the service club and key external stakeholders. We also conclude that charity offers individuals a means by which to particularise aspects of the Other, through the undertaking of charitable action. Within this particularisation process, facilitated by connecting with other individuals, accountability not only takes a different form than more hierarchical forms of accountability, but also serves to build interconnectedness between individuals, and provide satisfaction of the desire for the Other in volunteers and stakeholders alike.

Citation

Yates, D., Belal, A. R., Gebreiter, F., & Lowe, A. (2021). Trust, accountability and ‘the Other’ within the charitable context: U.K. service clubs and grant-making activity. Financial Accountability and Management, 37(4), 419 – 439. https://doi.org/10.1111/faam.12281

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 9, 2020
Online Publication Date Jan 27, 2021
Publication Date 2021-11
Deposit Date Sep 20, 2024
Journal Financial Accountability and Management
Print ISSN 0267-4424
Electronic ISSN 1468-0408
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 37
Issue 4
Pages 419 – 439
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/faam.12281
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2860351
Other Repo URL https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/168729/