Impact of Risk Management on Institutional Development and the Growth of Non-Governmental Organizations in Four East African Countries (2015–2021)

This study investigates the impact of risk management on the institutional development and growth of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in four East African countries between 2015 and 2021. The Background of the Study traces the evolution of civil society, emphasizing NGOs' transformation from informal entities to pivotal actors in development and humanitarian efforts, driven by historical milestones like the UN establishment and normative frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The sector’s expansion, particularly in East Africa, has been shaped by regional integration, donor influence, and the need to professionalize operations amid political, social, and economic complexities. However, many NGOs face vulnerabilities due to inadequate risk management in the face of external shocks like political instability and environmental disasters, hampering their resilience and long-term sustainability. Existing literature largely offers global perspectives, underscoring the need for context-specific research. The Objective is to assess how risk management influences organizational resilience and growth, with the Research Hypothesis proposing a significant positive impact. The Theoretical Frameworks draw on Growth-Based Theory, emphasizing internal resources and strategic flexibility, and Foundations of Development and Risk, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities. Empirical evidence was collected through a mixed-methods approach rooted in Creswell and Creswell’s (2018) and Kumar’s (2019) principles. The quantitative component involved a structured survey distributed to approximately 476 NGO personnel such as managers and financial officers from 28 organizations selected via stratified random sampling based on country, size, and sector. The qualitative aspect comprised semi-structured interviews with key informants, complemented by document analysis of organizational reports and strategic plans. Data collection adhered to rigorou