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The Robert M. Birmingham Lecture Series, sponsored by the Core Humanities department, presented “Negotiating the Terms of Globalization: The Mediating Role of NGOs (Nongovernmental Organizations) in the Business Government Interface,” a lecture given by Dr. Jonathan Doh, assistant professor of management and director of the Villanova University Center for Responsible Leadership and Governance, in the Fedigan Room of the St. Augustine Center on Feb.5.

Each lecture in the series is based upon the concept of “the other”— how groups of people relate with one another. Thus, Doh framed his presentation by citing several examples that prove how multinational companies regularly negotiate with “the other.” He then continued into the essence of his presentation, which was structured into three sections: civil society, social movement, NGO; impact of NGOs on business government interface and implications for research and design.

“Globalization is all around us— we experience it, we contribute to it and we are affected by it,” Doh said. He then explained how globalization is perceived, how the government-business relationship works and how NGOs have changed this relationship, thus changing the nature of negotiation. “I’m not saying NGOs are good or bad. I’m simply saying that they are part of the landscape and business executives and policymakers need to better understand NGO goals and tactics.”

The Center for Responsible Leadership and Governance, which Doh administrates, is centered on values-based leadership, ethical decision-making and quality stakeholder relationships. Doh also authored Globalization and NGOs: Transforming Business, Government and Society (Praeger Publishers, 2003).