Non-profit Sector Organizations Research Articles

Transported: New Zealand non-profit organizations, digital platforms and the limitations of metaphor

Digital communication has become ubiquitous to the non-profit sector, globally, and non-profit organizations (NPOs) have adopted multiple digital media channels and platforms in attempts to connect with and influence external stakeholders. This article examines how non-profits in New Zealand (NZ) are using metaphoric language around their deployment of digital media channels. Since its inception, digital information technology has been explained in terms of transport metaphors such as information superhighway and digital traffic. These metaphors have become largely invisible. A combination of empirical and interpretative analyses was deployed to examine the metaphorical framework at work in NPO discussions of their digital media engagements. The analysis uncovered rhetoric that valued movement over destination, de-emphasized the stakeholder perspective and narrowly restricted the power to contribute to organizational meaning.

Performance Measurement Using Balanced Scorecard (BSC) (Study at Hospitals in Pasuruan)

<p>Balanced scorecard (BSC) is a performance measurement method which is applied to private organizations to balance between financial and nonfinancial aspects. However, in this case, the financial measure of BSC application to non-profit public sector organizations is very different from private organizations. This study aims at measuring the performance of hospitals in Pasuruan based on four BSC perspectives (financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business process perspective,and learning and growth perspective). This study was conducted at the hospital using secondary data in the form of financial reports and non-financial reports. The object of this research was the hospitals in Pasuruan. The results showed that the performance of the three hospitals in Pasuruan in using BCS gauge is good. This reflects that the three hospitals in Pasuruan always strive to realize the achievement of vision, mission, and goals as one of the optimal public health services in Pasuruan and surrounding areas.</p>

‘You Can’t Win’: The Non-Profit Double-Bind and Experiences of Organisational Contradictions in the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector

There is growing evidence that in the UK demands for non-profit and voluntary sector organisations to comply with funders’ target driven priorities are often in tension with organisations’ social goals. The implications of this for employees are not yet sufficiently understood. The present article builds on Bateson et al.’s theory of double-bind to develop a socially contextualised model to understand employees’ experiences of workplace contradictions in the sector. Drawing from data provided by 49 individuals working in three case study organisations, our conceptualisation of a ‘non-profit double-bind’ provides a new and novel way of understanding how social meta-communicative processes serve to embed or reframe contradictions within intense employment relationships.

The role of social report for performance measurement of museums: an Italian survey from the web

This paper aims to explore the concept of performance in the museum field, in particular whether and how it could find an adequate representation through social reporting tools. The social reports, indeed, in non-profit and public sector organisations are typically considered the main tools for institutional communication. To investigate on this topic, we analyse the social reports of some Italian museums using the content analysis in order to understand how the performance is evaluated and communicated. The empirical findings show how the reports are not fully able to represent the performance of the museums.

The role of Social Report for performance measurement of museums: an Italian survey from the web

This paper aims to explore the concept of performance in the museum field, in particular whether and how it could find an adequate representation through social reporting tools. The social reports, indeed, in non-profit and public sector organisations are typically considered the main tools for institutional communication. To investigate on this topic, we analyse the social reports of some Italian museums using the content analysis in order to understand how the performance is evaluated and communicated. The empirical findings show how the reports are not fully able to represent the performance of the museums.

Choosing an Accounting Method to Explain Public Policy: Social Return on Investment and UK Non-profit Sector Policy

We examine why certain accounting methods are chosen by government policy-makers to explain and rationalize their policy actions. We focus on the case of social return on investment (SROI), an accounting methodology that aims to capture and quantify the value created by social purpose organizations, and employs techniques of monetization and the expression of value as a ratio of benefits for investments [see REDF. (2000). SROI methodology: Analyzing the value of social purpose enterprise within a social return on investment framework. San Francisco: REDF; New Economics Foundation (NEF). (2007). Measuring real value: A DIY guide to social return on investment]. In particular, we examine how and why SROI was chosen for explaining and rationalizing the UK Government's policy of greater involvement of non-profit sector organizations in public service delivery. Our central contribution is to propose two important factors, which we identify as the capturability and communicability of accounting methods, that help to explain why a particular accounting method would be chosen by policy actors to explain and rationalize their public policy choices. The research helps further our understanding of the intersection between accounting and public policy by focusing explicitly on accounting's important role in explaining and rationalizing public policy.

Factors influencing leadership development in an uncertain environment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the factors influencing leadership development (LD). It responds to the following question: what are the factors influencing the phenomenon of LD in the Syrian context.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research method has been adopted, using face-to-face interviews with leaders in middle and top management.FindingsThe findings revealed that there are two types of factor influencing LD: determinant factors to LD and influencing factors on the application of LD.Research limitations/implicationsResearch data has been conducted in an unstable environment because of what is called the Arab Spring, so data were collected only from for-profit sector companies that presented more flexibility for participation than state and non-profit sector organisations.Practical implicationsThe paper explored two different types of factors influencing LD: factors influencing the application of LD, and factors determining LD. This helps designers of LD programmes and companies operating in Syrian context to differentiate between these two factors.Originality/valueThe study offers data and interpretation on factors influencing LD in a specific context on which foundation further studies in the Middle Eastern context can be developed.

(Un)Obtrusive Control in Emergent Networks: Examining Funding Agencies’ Control Over Nonprofit Networks

Nonprofit sector organizations tackle intractable problems by seeking support from external funding agencies, resulting in funders holding power through resource control. Nonprofits also access resources and coordinate activities through building networks with other nonprofits. Such networks have been viewed as emergent with an underlying assumption that the nonprofits determine when and with whom to partner. Given the power of funders, however, how much control do the nonprofits have in determining whether or not to partner? Document analysis of 83 application packets used by funders in the United States to collect and assess nonprofit suitability for funding shows significant differences between private- and public-sector control over nonprofits decisions to network. Unlike private-sector foundations, public-agency funding documents mandate awardees to network, which has practical and theoretical implications. Although the idea of building a network implies autonomous acts on the part of nonprofits, some are prone to hierarchical influences through grant-making policy.

Using New Instruments of Clustering Policy in the Health Care System. The Case of Poland.

The issue of clusters as a form of organization of market entities has recently attracted an increasing attention of health care management theoreticians and practitioners. In our opinion the existing theoretical basis gives a foundation for considering clusters as a source of potential for increasing the effectiveness of health policy and health care organizations. It can be assumed that in case of health care clusters there is a possibility of interregional diffusion of innovation, based on ventures undertaken on the health care market, increasing not only the potential of the entities in the cluster, but also of its surroundings and subcontractors. It is possible to realize the idea of a flexible health care implemented regionally with the use of modern techniques of communication, knowledge transfer and high specialization. Nonetheless, in case of Poland the potential of clustrification remains untapped, being characterized by a limited actions of public and private bodies, marginal role of non-profit sector organizations and limited engagement of R&D sector. This is because a general distrust in the cluster formula, and the lack of relevant knowledge among local officials and health business leaders. For this reason the process of clustrification among health care entities requires external support through the increased efforts to create a system of legal and tax preferences for cluster initiatives and provision of organizational support in terms of know-how, targeted particularly at bodies and individuals, who may act as cluster leaders.

Why do people with chronic disease not contact consumer health organisations? A survey of general practice patients

Aim Consumer health organisations (CHOs) are non-profit or voluntary sector organisations that promote and represent the interests of patients and carers affected by particular conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine, among patients with chronic disease, what differentiates those who contact CHOs from those who do not and what stops people from making contact. CHOs can enhance people's capacity to manage chronic disease by providing information, education and psychosocial support, but are under-utilised. Little is known about barriers to access. Data were from a baseline telephone survey conducted as part of a randomised trial of an intervention to improve access to CHOs. Participants constituted a consecutive sample of 276 adults with diagnosed chronic disease recruited via 18 general practitioners in Brisbane, Australia. Quantitative survey items examined participants' use and perceptions of CHOs and a single open-ended question explored barriers to CHO use. Multiple logistic regression and thematic analysis were used. Findings Overall, 39% of participants had ever contacted a CHO for their health and 28% had contacted a CHO specifically focussed on their diagnosed chronic condition. Diabetes, poorer self-reported physical health and greater health system contact were significantly associated with CHO contact. The view that 'my doctor does it all' was prevalent and, together with a belief that their health problems were 'not serious enough', was the primary reason patients did not make contact. Attitudinal and system-related barriers limit use of CHOs by those for whom they are designed. Developing referral pathways to CHOs and promoting awareness about what they offer is needed to improve access.

Rapid change in small towns: when social capital collides with political/bureaucratic inertia

Successful community development is usually constructed with “bottom-up” capacity and “top-down” public policy. The synergy between these approaches has been hampered by the transition from a Keynesian to a neoliberal public policy framework. Under the stress of rapid change from major industrial projects, this article examines community development responses in the small town of Kitimat, British Columbia. Using a social capital lens, our findings suggest that despite limited senior government responses, local stakeholders have been using local and non-local network structures to: improve communication and understanding of protocols and procedures, improve awareness of community needs, access a broader range of financial and in-kind supports, transfer skills and broaden access to human resources, broaden access to infrastructure, and rapidly develop and deploy new supports. By formalizing network structures and working to strengthen local capacity, local stakeholders have been able to address many social and economic development pressures. Over the longer term, however, social capital and social cohesion among voluntary and non-profit sector organizations will require the assistance of senior government policy, financial, and program supports to be sustainable.

Implementing Performance Budgeting at the State Level: Lessons Learned from New Jersey

ABSTRACTThis article considers barriers and strategies for implementing performance budgeting in real-time application by a state-level government. The lessons learned from the State of New Jersey’s implementation of the Governor’s Performance Budgeting Initiative offer guidelines for public and nonprofit sector organizations attempting similar efforts. Data was gathered through a series of focus groups with key executive-level administrators. Observations and recommendations for enhancing and reenergizing current performance budgeting strategies for a state or agency are suggested.

Voluntary Nonprofit Organizations and Disaster Management: Identifying the Nature of Inter-Sector Coordination and Collaboration in Disaster Service Assistance Provision

The scope and scale of a community's service assistance demands during a disaster will exceed, typically, the capacity of any single set of governmental, private, or nonprofit sector organizations. As a result inter-sector coordination and collaboration represents a key element in effective disaster management. Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in providing a wide range of early response assistance and mass care services when disasters occur. Here, we investigate the particular ways in which nonprofit organizations engaged in inter-sector coordination and collaboration during a major disaster, Superstorm Sandy. We do so in order to build on the somewhat limited prior empirical literature accounting for the specific nature of nonprofits' disaster service provision efforts. Our analysis offers several contributions to existing literature: it demonstrates the scope of disaster-related services provided, it outlines the key qualities of inter-sector coordination and collaboration actions, and it identifies the way in which the nonprofit sector's early phase relief actions might be connected later to longer term disaster recovery efforts.

Nonprofit Organizations in the Knowledge Based Economy – Organizational Development and Professionalization

International research results underpin that turbulent, continuously changing environment makes everyday operations for nonprofit (nongovernmental, voluntary) sector organizations harder. It also can be observed that in this situation, nonprofit organizations acquire knowledge from business sector organizations which enables them to improve their structures and processes. They implement methods of the business sector as means of ensuring long term existence, better performance and sustainable success. In recent years, this process has generated new dilemmas for those who are concerned with the future of this sector: if and how the strengthening focus on knowledge processes such as learning and development of individuals working for nonprofit organizations impact organizational knowledge and organizational development and, how important professionalization is for them. The goal of this paper is, to give an overview of special issues of learning and growing professionalization of non profit organizations, and to contribute to the research of these processes. Empirical evidence is provided on the base of a large sample survey that involves approximately 1.000 Hungarian foundations or associations. With the help of the research findings the paper shall expand our general knowledge about professionalization trends in the sector, and also provide deeper insight in details of the relationship between participation in organizational development programs and becoming more professional in everyday operations and services.

Commercialization in the Non-Profit Sector: The Emergence of Social Enterprise in Cambodia

The increasing commercialization among non-profit organizations is shifting financial dependence from charitable donations to self-generated earned income through social entrepreneurial ventures. Little is known about the consequences of this shift. There is a lack of literature discussing how ventures into social entrepreneurship by non-profit organizations evolve and what effects they have on multiple dimensions of these organizations. To address this gap, the aim of this paper is to describe and analyse processes of commercialization of non-profit sector organizations and their effects on social-entrepreneurial NGOs in Cambodia. The data used in this study is based on a large-scale quantitative survey and qualitative key informant interviews with NGO leaders and administrators of NGOs in five regions across Cambodia. The authors found that the struggle for social and financial sustainability is one of the major motivations for organizations engaging in commercial ventures. Commercialization has transformative effects on the goals, motives, methods, income distribution, and governance component of NGOs in the sample. At the same time, however, commercialization tends to sideline the social mission of NGOs.

La eficacia de la comunicación de las organizaciones del Tercer Sector en los vídeos emitidos a través de YouTube

The social networks are used to communicate social change goals. Our aim is to reflect on the value provided by the video contents shared in YouTube by non-profit sector organizations to predict their viral effectiveness. Based on the predictive content analysis model a profiled sample of the most representative messages shared has been defined to measure the potential effectiveness of each of them according to the results of analyzing the reception. The combination of the results of both analyses allows identifying some factors that shall be considered indicators of the virality effectiveness.

Readiness of boards of trustees in non-profit and voluntary sector organisations to meet the adult care ‘personalisation agenda’: A case study of a single English county

Summary In a multi-method assessment of non-profit and voluntary sector governance in Cornwall, England, 65 chairpersons of organisations completed a Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire (BSAQ) to identify the level at which the board was functioning. They also commented on their awareness of the Westminster Government's personalisation agenda. In addition, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 17 board representatives from seven organisations to explore organisational support needs in respect of meeting the Adult Care ‘personalisation agenda’. Findings Board members who reported good awareness of the personalisation agenda also self-assessed themselves as scoring higher than other respondents on the six BSAQ factors. Multiple regression analysis indicated that 47% of the variation in personalisation agenda preparedness was accounted for by organisations’ BSAQ scores. Qualitative data highlighted a number of important issues that may impact on the successful development of the personalisation agenda. These included the difficulty voluntary boards have in attracting trustees with appropriate experience, blurring of roles where trustees take on multiple roles some with operational commitments and communication difficulties with the local authority that results in board members stating that they are not sure of what is expected. Applications While the study focussed on a single county the demographic of non-profit and voluntary sector organisations are not dissimilar from other areas which provide some basis for generalisability. Findings also resonate with previous studies of the sector. This suggests that local authorities and adult social care departments have considerable challenges to ensure the readiness of organisations in the sector and the robustness of governance delivered via trustees.

Motivators for and barriers against workplace flexibility: comparing nonprofit, for-profit, and public sector organizations

Despite growing interest in workplace flexibility, relatively little is known about how the dynamics of flexible options might differ in for-profit, nonprofit, and public sector organizations. This short report evaluates the relative importance of various barriers against and motivators for flexible options in the public, nonprofit private, and for-profit private sectors using two similar surveys of private sector (2006 National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development Survey) and public sector (2008 States as Employers-of-Choice Survey) organizations in the USA. While there are some differences in what motivates organizations in each sector to adopt flexible work options, the differences in barriers to flexibility are more noticeable. For instance, the three groups of organizations differ significantly in the importance of implementation costs, employee pressures to adopt these policies and programs, and the extent to which more pressing issues prevent a focus on workplace flexibility. The results of this short report, while preliminary, suggest that understanding both what motivates organizations to adopt flexible work options and what prevents them from doing so should help advocates of workplace flexibility to design policies and programs better suited to each sector.

Innovations in Public and Non-profit Sector Organizations in China

This article provides background information on public and non-profit sector innovation in the past thirty years in the West as well as in China. We summarized and commented on the articles in this issue, which document cases of public and non-profit sector innovation in China and theorize their significance. These cases tell vivid stones about how Chinese organizations innovate and also point out the importance of the role of government in initiating or constraining these innovations. We find, through the review of these studies, that China's public and non-profit sector organization innovation experiences carry some important messages about the unique features of China's public and non-profit organizations that should not be ignored while studying changes in China.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act And German Non-Profit Organizations: An Empirical Investigation

Drawing on a survey of German non-profit organizations, this paper explores the state of implementation of corporate governance mechanisms by focusing on the organizations profiles. Subject of the research are those mechanisms as developed in the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the for-profit sector which have since also been implemented for non-profit sector organizations. In applying chi-square tests, the association between the existence of these practices and a range of organizational characteristics was reviewed and the most influential characteristics were identified. This association of characteristics and practices explains a potential compliance of an organization. Such knowledge can be applied by a number of stakeholder groups, such as organizational decision-makers, legislators and sponsors. The identified characteristics, in order of importance, were annual revenue, age of the organization, existence of an international branch structure, organizations board members being active in the private sector, and organizations having an international scope of activities.