Barriers to the Supply of Non-Government Disability Services in China

Abstract

AbstractIn the last five years, the Chinese government has begun to encourage the development of non-government organisations (NGO) to increase the supply of social support. Although changes in the NGO sector in China are well researched, questions remain about the barriers to increasing the supply of social services from registered NGOs. We use Mattei's managerial and democratic accountability framework to examine empirical data about the relationship between the way NGO disability services in Beijing are organised and barriers to improving the type, quantity and quality of their social services. Barriers include limited NGO management capacity and underdeveloped government relations. When viewed through the multidimensional accountability framework, the barriers are not surprising. The NGOs' understanding and application of accountability processes are rudimentary. We conclude that government policy to encourage the development of accountability practices of NGOs in China will be critical if it needs NGOs to supply quality social services.