The Iron Cage Re-revisited: Institutional Isomorphism in Non-profit Organisations in South Africa Frederik Claeyé* and Terence Jackson~ *Lille Catholic University, France ~Middlesex University Business School, London Abstract Non-profit organisations (NPOs) are being pushed to become Ǯmore business-likeǯ, reflecting global discourse on Ǯaid effectivenessǯ underpinned by managerialist modes of thinking that may be inappropriate to local contexts. We examine the nature of the tendency towards institutional isomorphism, critiquing it through a Postcolonial lens, and empirically investigating this with sixteen NPOs in South Africaǯs Eastern and Western Capes. The study suggests that NPOs mimic such professed Ǯbest practiceǯ in order to secure funding, while resistance creates hybrid management forms in line with local humanistic objectives. A critical cross-cultural management focus contributes here to both theory and praxis. Keywords Cross-cultural management, Hybridisation, Institutional Theory, International aid, Managerialism, Non-profit management, Postcolonial Theory, South Africa. Published: Claeyé, F. and Jackson, T. (2012) The Iron Cage Re-revisited: Institutional Isomorphism in Non-profit Organisations in South Africa, Journal of International Development, 24(5), 602-22 Please request from me a copy of the published article.