Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, and Public Policy: Separate, Subset, or Intersectional Domains of Inquiry?

Abstract

We view public administration, public policy, and nonprofit management as intersectional domains of inquiry and argue that advances in each of these domains requires us to bring knowledge from other domains. Contemporary observers also recognize that many nonprofit organizations go beyond a mere service delivery role and play a central role in policy development, funding, and program administration. Through this special issue, we bring together scholars who are working at the intersection of public administration, public policy and nonprofit management, defining this intersection in a broad and inclusive manner. In addition to encouraging explicit connections across public policy, public administration, and nonprofit management, we highlight understudied aspects of work at this intersection. We believe that conducting research across disciplines and combining the “firepower” of an intersectional perspective is essential for addressing big questions. The special issue contributors have engaged these intersectional themes with verve and imagination. After providing an overview of the relationship between nonprofit management, public administration, and public policy drawing upon the conference hosted at The George Washington University, we briefly characterize individual contributions to the special issue.