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During the past two decades, international development non-government organizations (INGOs) have proliferated in the global North. In Canada, there are approximately 1,350 registered INGOs – of which, 950 (70%) were established in 2000 or later, 1,192 receive no federal government funding, 1,202 have annual revenues under CAD one million dollars, and 709 have no full-time employees. This new wave of Small and Medium Organizations (SMOs) epitomizes the decentralization of global development as private aid has surpassed Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding. Yet, recent studies suggest SMOs have a short lifespan and fail to progress beyond service provision representing the first evolutionary stage of INGO maturation. Our study combines surveys (n: 95) and in-depth interviews (n: 18) with Canadian SMOs to explore growth aspirations along with their challenges and strategies to increase revenue. Our results show that nearly all Canadian SMOs desire organizational growth, and pursue diverse funding sources and innovative strategies to increase revenue. However, for SMOs, growth means doing more of the same thing – they are committed to improving the living conditions of their target population – which contradicts best practices to scale up INGO impact and may necessitate alternative organizational evolutionary guides for SMOs operating in this emerging development niche. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2024-10-10

Ce reportage photo indique et illustre les dynamiques et les impacts d’une industrie palestinienne informelle de ramassage et de traitement de la majeure partie des déchets électroniques (« e-déchets ») israéliens, en place depuis plus une dizaine d’années. S’appuyant sur des observations détaillées sur le terrain réalisées durant ces quatre dernières années, comprenant plus de 300 entretiens approfondis semi-directifs auprès d’une variété d’acteurs occupant diverses positions dans la « chaîne de valorisation des e-déchets », nous brossons un tableau complet de ce système transnational de gestion des déchets électroniques. Notre travail révèle l’ampleur et le lourd impact environnemental et sanitaire du fonctionnement de ce système, largement passé inaperçu aux yeux des autorités respectives de chaque pays et du grand public. Notre étude souligne l’importance de rendre compte de ces opérations transnationales non officielles, par l’analyse de l’environnement et des mesures politiques, non seulement en raison de leur incroyable ingéniosité et efficacité, mais aussi de leur inquiétante capacité à mobiliser des flux massifs de matériaux nuisant à l’environnement et qui peuvent échapper pendant des années aux circuits officiels. This photo-essay maps out and illustrates the dynamics and impacts of an informal Palestinian industry that has collected and processed the bulk of Israel’s electronic waste (e-waste) for over a decade. Based on extensive field observations over the last four years, including over 300 in-depth semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders in various positions in the Israeli-Palestinian “e-waste value chain”, we provide a rich portrait of this cross-border e-waste system. Our work reveals the massive extent and serious health and environmental consequences of a phenomenon that has been largely invisible to the respective authorities and general public. Our study underscores the importance of accounting for such informal transnational operations in environmental analysis and policy-making, both because of their impressive ingenuity and effectiveness, but also their worrying ability to mobilize massive and environmentally consequential flows of materials that can remain undetected by official systems for years.

Successful completion of the Lean Six Sigma advanced manufacturing methodologies practicum course provides undergraduate Aeronautical Engineering Technology (AET) students with the experience and knowledge appropriate to perform successfully in an advanced manufacturing environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine (a) Did the knowledge level of AET students increase following exposure to Lean Six Sigma and completion of the advanced manufacturing methodologies course? and (b) Did the course meet the AET students’ expectations following participation in the Lean Six Sigma advanced manufacturing course? The expected outcomes of the course included: 1. AET students will have the competencies to utilize required advanced manufacturing processes to operate a manufacturing facility. 2. AET students will have the ability to utilize advanced process quality planning methods to implement a quality program in a manufacturing facility. 3. AET students will have the knowledge and experience required to effectively implement supply chain management techniques and logistic programs in a manufacturing facility. 4. An effective continuous improvement process will be utilized and promoted throughout the curriculum. Currently, students are using the lab space in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) to perform practical hands-on projects related to their aviation major. This study required undergraduate AET students to receive instruction in logistics, quality, and manufacturing terms and descriptions. Students utilized the information learned and basic lean manufacturing and continuous improvement philosophies to complete course projects. The course projects included a focus on transforming the School’s powerplant laboratory into a more typical aerospace manufacturing cell layout, enabling students to explore ways of operating an advanced manufacturing facility. Students in the advanced aviation manufacturing course developed and implemented manufacturing simulations. This study focused on developing a world-class course utilizing an operating laboratory facility to prepare future aviation manufacturing professionals with industry leading skill sets. This study was used to gather data for the development and evaluation of a Lean Six Sigma advanced manufacturing course with future goals of scaffolding with other SATT courses to provide a minor for the AET curriculum in advanced aviation manufacturing. The findings of the study indicated that student knowledge levels of Lean Six Sigma methodologies increased significantly after receiving instruction. Additional findings of the study revealed that students felt the course met their expectations. However, due to several limitations of this study, further research is recommended in focused areas to provide students the tools to compete in the aviation and advanced manufacturing world.

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