A Typology of Institutional Logics for Public Accountability Organizations in Zambia

Abstract

This article presents a new typology of institutional logics that is useful for studying public accountability organizations in Zambia. The typology was developed by following the adaptive theory approach introduced by Derek Layder and is based on extant literature as well as on new empirical data from three public accountability organizations in Zambia, the Office of Auditor General, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the national ombudsman office. The model consists of four types of logics: a kinship logic, which is informal and based on gift-giving and mutual obligation; a bureaucratic logic, which is based on hierarchical division of labour in a stable environment; a development management logic, based on private sector approaches to development; and a professionalism logic based on membership in a professional field. The new typology broadens the scope of the institutional logics perspective to include the Global South as well as to include informal aspects of public accountability organizations and the political power struggles that tend to surround them.

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