Abstract
Little is known about the links between the business sector and civil society in Norway. To address the lack of knowledge, this study focused on members of the business elite who are elected representatives in voluntary organizations. Information about these representatives was obtained from a national survey of Norwegian elites and used to examine to what extent voluntary organizations are integrated into the business community’s network of institutions and organizations outside the corporate world. The analyses demonstrate that voluntary organizations are well placed within this network. Moreover, business leaders who are elected representatives are well-connected. Several of them serve on state boards and have frequent contact with politicians and state administrators. Business leaders who have experienced pronounced social mobility seem to be more attracted to being involved in the governance of voluntary organizations than their colleagues with a more privileged background.
Highlights
In Norway, as in the other Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Sweden, the links between the state and voluntary organizations are many and dense (Enjolras & Strømsnes, 2018; Selle, 1993)
Previous studies have demonstrated that voluntary organizations in Norway have many links to the public sector
The analyses presented in this article indicate they are integrated into the extra-corporate network of the business elite through business leaders who are elected representatives in these organizations
Summary
In Norway, as in the other Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Sweden, the links between the state and voluntary organizations are many and dense (Enjolras & Strømsnes, 2018; Selle, 1993). The bonds between voluntary organizations and the business sector have, traditionally been weaker. One reason for this situation is that, historically, philanthropy has not been held in high regard in Norwegian society. The business sector has been involved in voluntary organizations through philanthropy and charity in Great Britain and the US, charity has been considered somewhat patronizing and something to be avoided in Norway (Sivesind, 2015). The Norwegian business community is connected to voluntary organizations in various ways. The purpose of this article is, to learn more about the relationship between the business community and civil society
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