By Celeste Kane

Abstract: Why do some zombie international organizations (IOs)—those that persist in existence but deliver little output and fail to fulfill their founding missions—remain inactive and stagnant, while others manage to revive and regain functionality? This study argues that an IO’s bureaucratic structure, specifically its degree of organizational fragmentation and level of bureaucratic expertise, plays a critical role in shaping its trajectory after zombification. It proposes two key hypotheses: (1) higher fragmentation increases the likelihood of a zombie IO persisting, and (2) higher bureaucratic expertise increases the likelihood of a zombie IOs’ revival. To test this argument, the study develops a new dataset on IO vitality, encompassing
organizations established between 1950 and 2014. It employs logistic regression to examine the effects of internal bureaucratic characteristics on revival outcomes. By focusing on internal dynamics, this research contributes to scholarship on IO resilience and reform, and offers practical insights for policymakers seeking to overcome institutional stagnation and enhance global governance.