Emerging Organizational Theory and the Youth Development Organization

Abstract

Management and organizational theories have undergone a significant transformation in the last decade. Amid changes that have been developing since the mid-20th century in technology, the global economy, and social structures and patterns, forward-thinking leaders in the corporate world have begun to realize they must depart from established practice and embrace a new paradigm. This new way includes management and operational structures that are flat rather than hierarchical and that are more responsive to the external environment, more flexible, and better prepared to give customers what they want. There is much that can be learned by nonprofit organizations from this business revolution, and youth development organizations in particular are uniquely positioned to grasp and implement the new model. In fact, the very principles of youth development today resonate with core concepts of the new organizational thinking. This article explores the connection between youth development organizational structures and emerging organizational practice theory, using the Mi Casa Resource Center for Women and the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development as examples of organizations that embrace aspects of this new thinking in their practice. It also attempts to answer questions about the organization of the future in the youth development social science sector. Foremost among these is how we can create healthy, thriving organizations and structures that cultivate staff, programs, youth, and communities that are free to flourish.