Managing Third Sector Organizations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Murdock ◽  
Stephen Barber
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Core ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
High Level ◽  
Managerial Perspective ◽  
Stakeholder Environment

What is the state of what can be described as management in the third sector? At its heart, it discusses the long-held assertion that these organizations are reluctant to accept the need for ‘management’. After all, what makes third sector organizations different, by their own estimation, from their commercial equivalents is the deeply embedded concepts of mission and values together with a distinctly complex stakeholder environment. For all that, there are also “commercial” pressures and an instinct for survival. To serve the mission necessarily needs resources. And there is a perennial tension in high-level decision-making between delivery of the mission and maintaining solvency. Third-sector organizations, like any other, are innately concerned with their own sustainability. It is here that the analysis is located and there is an opportunity to examine the topic theoretically and empirically. By introducing the concept of the “Management See-Saw” to illustrate the competing drivers of values and commercialism before exploring these identified pressures through the lens of three real-life vignettes, it is possible to appreciate the current state of play. Given all this, it is important for modern organizations to be able to measure value and impact. From a managerial perspective, the reality needs to be acknowledged that this environment is complex and multi-layered. In drawing the strands together, the discussion concludes by illustrating the importance of leadership in the sector, which is a powerful indicator of effectiveness. Nevertheless, with a focus on management, the core contention is that management remains undervalued in the third sector. That said, commercial focus can increasingly be identified and the longer term trend is squarely in this direction.

scholarly journals Social Innovation Ignored: Framing Nonprofit Activities in European News Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 949-965
Author(s):  
Gorgi Krlev ◽  
Anker Brink Lund
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
News Media ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Third Sector

Abstract News reporting typically has a dual function: it mirrors what is going on in real life, but it also shapes how actors behave. Previous studies suggest that media presence, by way of shaping public and policy perceptions, influence how well nonprofits are able to raise funds and mobilize human resources. Yet, we are lacking insights into how the third sector is actually framed in the media, in particular with regard to innovation, which increasingly complements the more traditional functions of advocacy and service provision. To find out, we performed a longitudinal content analysis and an in-depth framing analysis on national and regional newspapers from nine European countries. The analyses demonstrate that third sector activities, especially those related to social innovation, are largely ignored. We find no systematic evidence that crises increase news attention to nonprofit activities. The third sector is becoming more newsworthy when it co-engages with government and business actors, but can benefit only little from this “positive glow”. We suggest how research on these matters can be taken forward, with a specific focus on the agenda-setting theory of mass media, the strategic management of nonprofit organizations, and collaboration in the context of social innovation.

Drivers for a cross-sector successful collaboration: the Basque country model of action

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-284
Author(s):  
Marta Enciso-Santocildes ◽  
Ana Vidu ◽  
Laura Gómez-Urquijo
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
Successful Collaboration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show the positive effects of a cross-sector collaboration between public administration and third sector in the Basque Country. Solidarity within European society is a concern increasingly addressed from broader perspectives in broader territories. Civil society involvement has also reached public administrations. The European Commission H2020 project, SOLIDUS Solidarity in European societies: empowerment, social justice and citizenship (2016–2018), responds to the need to build a “renewed” Europe after the economic crisis, addressing social areas as employment, education, housing, health, civic engagement. Design/methodology/approach The communicative methodology (CM) has been used in this research paper, including qualitative fieldwork involving representatives of third-sector organizations. The CM already showed its impact on society, through several research projects in which it has been applied. CM is based on including stakeholders’ voices into research from the initial design until the end, responding their needs from research evidence. Thus, it contributes to put in common the knowledge of experts and stakeholders. Findings Searching for successful practices of social innovation, this paper analyzed which elements enable such relationships between public administration and third-sector organizations to promote successful public policies. Even some risks and barriers have been highlighted, the authors’ specific aim focuses on the positive aspects. Therefore, it shows drivers for a most efficient way of public management, which could potentially be extrapolated to other contexts. Some of these drivers are the following: support and collaboration between sectors, institutional trust, co-creation, active participation of the third sector, solidarity and commitment, efficient social policies and workers’ professionalization. Originality/value This paper contributes to returning to institutions and society the atmosphere of trust that the crisis context has damaged. The Basque Countries’ comprehensive model of action proves to attend citizenship contributing to a better society, from engaging a successful collaboration across sectors. The creation of two models of collaboration helps to progress in the positive interaction between the third sector and government. This paper is also original because it gives voice to people directly involved on the field and uses their knowledge to describe drivers and assess collaboration and participation of the third sector. Peer review The peer review history for this paper is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2019-0378

scholarly journals Improving community support for older people’s needs through commissioning third sector services: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Chadborn ◽  
Chris Craig ◽  
Gina Sands ◽  
Justine Schneider ◽  
John Gladman
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Improve Measurement ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
Service Data

Aim This exploratory study of commissioning third sector services for older people aimed to explore whether service data was fed back to commissioners and whether this could improve intelligence about the population and hence inform future commissioning decisions. Background Third sector services are provided through charities and non-profit community organizations, and over recent years services have developed that assess and advise people for self-management or provide wellbeing support in the community. Third sector services have an opportunity to reach vulnerable populations and to provide intelligence about them. Some third sector services are state funded (commissioned) in the United Kingdom. While evidence is available about the commissioning of statutory health and social care, as well as private providers, there is limited evidence about how third sector health services are funded. Methods Participants were recruited from commissioner organizations and third sector organizations, both with an interest in supporting the independence, self-management and wellbeing of older people. Organizations were recruited from five purposively selected sites within one region of England (East Midlands). Semi-structured interviews explored the relationships between commissioners and providers and the nature of funding arrangements, including co-production. Interviews also explored collection of data within the service and how data were fed back to commissioners. Focus groups were held with older people with the potential to benefit from wellbeing services. Results Commissioning arrangements were varied, sometimes complex, and often involved co-production with the third sector. Commissioners valued third sector organizations for their engagement with the local community, value for money, outreach services and ability to provide information about the community. Assessing the needs and outcomes of individuals was integral to delivery of support and advice to older people. Diverse approaches were used to assess an individual’s needs and outcomes, although there were concerns that some assessment questionnaires may be too complex for this vulnerable group. Assessment and outcomes data were also used to monitor the service contract and there was potential for the data to be summarized to inform commissioning strategies, but commissioners did not report using assessment data in this way, in practice. While the policy context encouraged partnerships with third sector organizations and their involvement in decision making, the relationship with third sector organizations was not valued within contract arrangements, and may have been made more difficult by the tendering process and the lack of analysis of service data. Conclusion This exploratory study has demonstrated a diversity of commissioning arrangements for third sector services across one region of England. Most commissioners invited co-production; that is, the commissioners sought input from the third sector while specifying details of the service. Service data, including assessments of needs and outcomes, were reported to commissioners, however commissioners did not appear to use this to full advantage to inform future commissioning decisions. This may indicate a need to improve measurement of needs and outcomes in order to improve the credibility of the commissioning process.

scholarly journals Relationship between quality in accounting information and organizational characteristics of the third sector entities

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (88) ◽  
pp. 9-27
Author(s):  
Fernando M. Ramos ◽  
Roberto Carlos Klann
Keyword(s):  
Information Quality ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Organizational Characteristics ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Quality Of Accounting Information ◽  
The Third Sector

Abstract This study intends to evaluate the relationship between the quality in accounting information and the organizational characteristics of Third Sector entities. The methodology is designed to follow a descriptive, documental and quantitative approach. The universe of the study is composed of Third Sector organizations, formally constituted in the Brazilian scenario. The target population has included organizations with OSCIP and UPF specifications. The 18,553 entities, which existed during the study, were investigated. The research used a probabilistic sample of 392 entities. The results indicate a predominance of the institutions established under the legal form of association. As for the size, the foundations are the larger ones. Regarding the quality of accounting information, we have identified a lower reported information quality index, when compared to the second sector. Finally, the results showed that the organizational characteristics of size, creation time and qualification as OSCIP have significant and positive influence on the quality of accounting information of the entities that we analyzed. This led to the conclusion that the non-profit organizations and regulatory organs need to make improvements regarding the accounting information reporting process, as well as the awareness of the importance of these reports for the decision-making process and public accountability. This study contributes to the discussion about the characteristics of the third sector organizations that relate with the quality of the accounting information reported by these institutions in the Brazilian scenario. It is the first study that analyzed this relationship in Brazil.

Comparative Study between Japan and the UK on Shifting the Third Sector–Government Relationships

2013 ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Ichiro Tsukamoto ◽  
Mariko Nishimura
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Contractual Relationships ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
The Uk

The aim of this research is to examine and compare the shifting relationships between third sector organizations and local government under the current public service reforms in Japan and the UK. In both cases, institutional isomorphic tendency amongst third sector organizations can be found. However, in the case of UK, more formalized partnership frameworks set by central government as well as contractual relationships has an impact on this tendency. Contrastingly, Japan partnerships tend to be individualized. In this regard, the contracting framework seems to have more impact on behavior of the third sector organizations than partnership frameworks. In addition, the aspect of co-governance of the third sector organizations has been less developed than in the third sector in the UK. This affinity seems to be associated with the lack of sense of identity as a sector and also the lack of strong third sector organizations.

scholarly journals A CASE STUDIES MULTIPLE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN THE THIRD SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Costa Lopes ◽  
Cacilda Soares Andrade ◽  
Juliana Matos Meira ◽  
Aldemar Araújo Santos ◽  
Joaquim Osório Liberalquino Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Third Sector

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar como as Organizações do Terceiro Setor realizam o controle financeiro dos recursos recebidos de financiadores, através de convênio, para a execução de suas atividades sociais. Buscou-se na literatura um referencial teórico que ressalta a cobrança de uma preocupação dos gestores para a forma como estão sendo geridos os recursos financeiros confiados à sua organização para a execução de atividades de cunho social. Foram encontrados reforços de muitos autores quanto à necessidade de melhor estruturação dos controles internos e aperfeiçoamento da gestão das Organizações do Terceiro Setor para atender as exigências dos seus financiadores e conquistarem seu espaço, além de novos ingressos de recursos financeiros para manter o desenvolvimento das atividades sociais propostas e até mesmo a própria estrutura da organização. A metodologia adotada nesta pesquisa contou com um estudo multicaso aplicado a sete organizações situadas no Estado de Pernambuco, utilizando-se da técnica de análise documental, entrevistas e observações diretas. Os achados da pesquisa indicam falhas no processo de gestão dos recursos financeiros, devidos principalmente à falta de segregação de funções entre os membros da equipe que atua nos projetos. Além disso, constata-se que nenhuma das organizações faz uso da contabilidade para acompanhamento e controle dos recursos, alegando principalmente a falta de oportunidade no recebimento dos relatórios contábeis.

Comparative Study Between Japan and the UK on Shifting the Third Sector–Government Relationships

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Ichiro Tsukamoto ◽  
Mariko Nishimura
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Contractual Relationships ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
The Uk

The aim of this research is to examine and compare the shifting relationships between third sector organizations and local government under the current public service reforms in Japan and the UK. In both cases, institutional isomorphic tendency amongst third sector organizations can be found. However, in the case of UK, more formalized partnership frameworks set by central government as well as contractual relationships has an impact on this tendency. Contrastingly, Japan partnerships tend to be individualized. In this regard, the contracting framework seems to have more impact on behavior of the third sector organizations than partnership frameworks. In addition, the aspect of co-governance of the third sector organizations has been less developed than in the third sector in the UK. This affinity seems to be associated with the lack of sense of identity as a sector and also the lack of strong third sector organizations.

Potenciál rozvoja sociálneho podnikania v treťom sektore na Slovensku

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Chreneková ◽  
Adriána Klapková ◽  
Veronika Svetlíková
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Third Sector

The development of social entrepreneurship in Slovakia was accelerated by the adoption of a new law on its support in 2018. Most of the 123 registered social enterprises have the legal form of a business company, they are of integration enterprises type and the founders are mainly municipalities. Third sector organizations are not active enough in setting up social enterprises. The aim of the paper is to find out what are the barriers and potential for the development of social entrepreneurship in the third sector. Primary and secondary data sources were used in the work. The survey method was used for characteristic of social entrepreneurship, the awareness of municipalities and third sector organizations about the social economy and barriers to the establishment of social enterprises in third sector organizations. The biggest barrier to the development of social entrepreneurship in the third sector is unsystematic funding, the complexity of compliance with rules and regulations and the absence of mapping the needs of disadvantaged groups. There are 2 types of entities with the potential to establish a social enterprise, namely non-profit organizations providing services of general interest and civic associations. They are prerequisites for the establishment of a social enterprise because they employ a relatively high number of disadvantaged and vulnerable persons and are engaged in public benefit activities that can be the subject of generating profits in social enterprise. The awareness of third sector organizations about social entrepreneurship is much higher compared to municipalities, but they feel barriers to the establishment of a social enterprise.

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