scholarly journals Risk, commercialism and social purpose: Repositioning the English housing association sector

Urban Studies ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 1924-1942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Manzi ◽  
Nicky Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Housing Association ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Operating Environment ◽  
Housing Associations ◽  
Private Funding ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Public Subsidy ◽  
Not For Profit

Originally seen as the ‘third arm’ of UK housing policy, the independent, not-for-profit housing association sector had long been seen as effective in ‘filling the gap’ where the state or market were unable to provide for households in need. Since the 1980s in particular, successive governments had viewed housing associations in favourable terms as efficient, semi-autonomous social businesses, capable of leveraging significant private funding. By 2015, in contrast, central government had come to perceive the sector as inefficient, bureaucratic and wasteful of public subsidy. Making use of institutional theory, this paper considers this paradigm shift and examines the organisational responses to an increasingly challenging operating environment. By focusing, in particular, on large London housing associations, the paper analyses their strategic decision-making to address the opportunities and threats presented. The paper argues that in facing an era of minimal subsidy, low security and high risk, the 2015 reforms represent a critical juncture for the sector. Housing organisations face a stark dilemma about whether to continue a strategy of ‘profit for purpose’ or to embrace an unambiguously commercial ethos. The article contends that the trajectory of decision-making (although not unidirectional) leads ultimately towards an increased exposure to risk and vulnerability to changes in the housing market. More fundamentally, the attempt to reconcile social and commercial logics is likely to have wider consequences for the legitimacy of the sector.

scholarly journals Housing associations diversifying into market renting: local contexts and (re)interpretation shaping strategic decision making

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20
Author(s):  
Julie Clarke ◽  
Rachel Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Housing Association ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Housing Associations ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Hybrid Organisations

Within the context of housing associations as fluid third sector hybrid organisations, this article examines the dynamics of strategic decision making in relation to diversification into the market rented sector. A convergence of factors shaped an agenda for associations to engage with such commercial activity, crystallising debates about opportunities versus tensions and the remit of organisations. Qualitative research with senior housing association professionals operating in northern England illustrates the significance of external local and internal organisational contexts in making and justifying decisions; this is highlighted within an emergent typology of organisational responses. Depending on interpretation, the interplay between social and financial justifications varied, including legitimising activity within a broader social purpose. The potential for (re)interpreting parameters illustrates the importance of understanding the variety and complexity of interacting dynamics that influence the strategic decisions of third sector hybrid organisations and what they deliver at the local level.

Information and reformation in KM systems: big data and strategic decision-making

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Intezari ◽  
Simone Gressel
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Advanced Analytics ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework of how knowledge management (KM) systems can facilitate the incorporation of big data into strategic decisions. Advanced analytics are becoming increasingly critical in making strategic decisions in any organization from the private to public sectors and from for-profit companies to not-for-profit organizations. Despite the growing importance of capturing, sharing and implementing people’s knowledge in organizations, it is still unclear how big data and the need for advanced analytics can inform and, if necessary, reform the design and implementation of KM systems. Design/methodology/approach To address this gap, a combined approach has been applied. The KM and data analysis systems implemented by companies were analyzed, and the analysis was complemented by a review of the extant literature. Findings Four types of data-based decisions and a set of ground rules are identified toward enabling KM systems to handle big data and advanced analytics. Practical implications The paper proposes a practical framework that takes into account the diverse combinations of data-based decisions. Suggestions are provided about how KM systems can be reformed to facilitate the incorporation of big data and advanced analytics into organizations’ strategic decision-making. Originality/value This is the first typology of data-based decision-making considering advanced analytics.

Social housing provision for minority ethnic older people with dementia: Findings from a qualitative study

Dementia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 750-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Lipman ◽  
Gillian Manthorpe
Keyword(s):  
Housing Provision ◽  
Housing Associations ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
For Profit ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Housing Services ◽  
Audit Approach ◽  
The Cost

Little research has explored how not-for-profit housing providers, often termed Housing Associations in the United Kingdom, meet the needs of older tenants with dementia who are from black and ethnic minority communities. This article presents findings from an exploratory study conducted in 2015. The study took an audit approach, investigating current practice and policy in 12 Housing Associations. All were developing their understanding of dementia; some were augmenting their standard rented property portfolio to include housing with care provision; and most had policies relating to equalities and diversity and were offering dementia training to members of staff. None appeared to have fully integrated the three strands of housing services, dementia care, and cultural or ethnicity-related needs and preferences. A range of strategies was reported as being developed to meet tenants’ changing circumstances. Anxiety about the cost of adaptations was commonly reported, although the nature and extent of this were ill-defined. Discussion focuses on the findings’ implications for housing providers and for dementia professionals.

Accountable Care and Evidence-Based Decision Making

2017 ◽  
pp. 360-369
Author(s):  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe ◽  
Steve Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Accountable Care ◽  
Web Based ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Global Priority ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

In today's cost challenged healthcare environment accountable care and evidence-based decision making have become important considerations. Contemporaneous to this is the fact that the superior management of diabetes has become a global priority especially given the exponential increase in the number of diabetes patients as well as the financial implications of treating this silent epidemic. Thus, this research focuses on trying to address these respective yet critical issues by examining the possibility of using a mobile web-based reporting system that taps into existing widely available resources to monitor and manage gestational diabetes. To test this solution, we adopted a randomized control trial with two-arm cross over applied to a not-for profit hospital in Victoria, Australia. From the perspective of practice, we have uncovered far reaching implications for hospital management's cost vs. quality care to patients. In particular, it appears that the adoption of smartphones to support many aspects of care and patient-clinician interactions is prudent.

Retirement housing for sale and differences in the decision to purchase that are determined by gender or marital status

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Livette
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Sheltered Housing ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Decision Making Factors ◽  
Retirement Housing

PurposeVarious studies have shown that nearly three‐quarters of older people living within retirement housing are female single persons, leading some researchers to argue that sheltered housing is essentially a gender or health‐related issue, which can be explained demographically. Possible differences in the buyer behaviour of men and women or single people and married couples are ignored. If differences exist, the approaches adopted by not‐for‐profit agencies to improve the decision‐making process may need to differentiate between the sexes and marital states. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to comment on the differences in the process and contrast some of the results of the research.Design/methodology/approachA sample of about 200 respondents was selected from all purchasers of retirement housing in the West Midlands region of England. Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 20 respondents.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that differences exist of less than one‐fifth of the decision‐making factors explored in the study.Originality/valueDifferences can limit the number of suitable options for the purchaser. Therefore, not‐ for‐profit agencies, when providing information and offering advice about housing alternatives, need to appreciate differences between the sexes and marital states in terms of the provision of stairs, the garden, loneliness and problems or difficulties associated with bereavement; the number of builders contacted and schemes known; and the awareness and consideration stages of the decision‐making process relating to a number of housing alternatives.

The limits to employee involvement? Employee participation without HRM in a small not-for-profit organisation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Philip ◽  
Jim Arrowsmith
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Employee Involvement ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Policies And Practices

PurposeThe strategic human resource management (HRM) literature emphasises the importance of employee involvement and participation for outcomes such as job satisfaction, employee retention and organisational performance. Situational factors identified as conducive to employee participation in decision-making include small size, via less hierarchical, proximate and informal workplace relations. Ownership and mission are also important, with not-for-profit (NFP) organisations generally having more collectivist, commitment-based cultures that support open decision-making. However, such organisations often have weak HRM policies and practices. This paper examines the process and outcomes of employee participation in a small NFP through in-depth case study research.Design/methodology/approachSingle case study utilising longitudinal participant observation, interviews, reflective diary, documentary analysis.FindingsOperating as a collective, the organisation was bound by time and capacity limitations in its ability to plan strategically or even to make routine decisions. Basic HR policies and practices in areas such as staff recruitment and performance management were sub-standard or unobserved. Consequences included poor management, inconsistent training, staff burnout, high labour turnover and sub-optimal performance. The results suggest that weak managerial coordination and the absence of a dedicated HR function subvert effective people management. In such circumstances, strong forms of employee participation fail to deliver anticipated equity and efficiency outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsSingle case study.Practical implicationsSmall organisations need HR policies and dedicated support to ensure that employee involvement and participation are effective.Originality/valueThe findings demonstrate how employee involvement and participation can be subverted by inadequate HR processes, adding qualitative evidence to support theories of HR “bundling” in high-involvement work practices. The research also contributes to the neglected area of HRM in small NFPs.

Developing an Operating Budget for Extended Family, Inc.: A Not-for-Profit Human Service Organization

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karyl A. Mammano ◽  
Thomas N. Tyson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Real World ◽  
Human Service ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Service Organization ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Operating Budget ◽  
Human Service Organization ◽  
High Level

In this case, you will develop an operating budget for Extended Family, Inc., a not-for-profit (NFP) human service organization. Completing this budget successfully requires a high level of decision making, as you must determine the number of cost pools and allocation bases upon which common costs are to be allocated to the organization's three revenue-generating programs. This case will expose you to many real-world issues that NFP financial managers confront when they prepare operating budgets. These issues include: (1) allocating revenue among programs; (2) distinguishing among program, administrative, and fundraising costs; (3) properly treating temporarily restricted contributions; and (4) facing an array of ongoing financial challenges connected with NFPs.

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