Inclusiveness in a Multi-stakeholder Initiative in the Burmese Garment Sector: The Case of the Danish Multi-stakeholder Initiative the ‘MYPOD’ Project

Alessio Guidolin, Andreas Theodor Åkerman Nielsen & Christoffer Andersen

Student thesis: Master thesis

Abstract

Multi-stakeholder initiatives are increasingly seen as a legitimate form of governance thus as a solution to many issues regarding development. As much literature suggests, there are many potential issues related to multi-stakeholder initiatives including power imbalances between partners, particularly between Western and developing country partners. However, there are some aspects of MSIs that remain unaddressed such as the role of the donor agency and the importance of common cultural backgrounds and previously shared experiences amongst only some of the actors. The purpose of our thesis is to investigate the dynamics of collaboration between the Danish ‘cluster’ of partners and the local Burmese partners in a multi-stakeholder initiative in the garment sector in Myanmar. The initiative is funded by a Danish donor and we therefore place our focus on the consequences this power bias has for the inclusiveness of local partners and their interests. Qualitative interviews with the Danish partners in the MYPOD project constitute our data set and provide us an understanding of the Danish actors’ views on the remaining partners and the donor agency. Our findings map out mechanisms that have a negative impact on inclusion and thus the legitimacy of a multi-stakeholder initiative. These include exclusion of local and weaker partners in the decision-making process as well as strict restrictions defined by a donor. The thesis is relevant for stakeholders contemplating to initiate an MSI. Consequently, it provides a set of recommendations for different stakeholder types within the Burmese garment industry.

EducationsMSc in Business, Language and Culture - Business and Development Studies, (Graduate Programme) Final Thesis
LanguageEnglish
Publication date2018
Number of pages193