Organizing Logics, Nonprofit Management and Change: Rethinking Power, Persuasion and Authority

Nonprofit organizations are often seen as generators of social and cultural capital, but recent years have seen a trend towards professionalization and cross-over of employees from private and public bodies into nonprofits. This raises questions about the potential importation of managerialism and commercialization into the nonprofit sphere. The authors of the book engage with critical questions about these changes through a three-year ethnography of one professional institute, exploring the struggles of organizational inhabitants in their search for purpose and analyzing the myriad of changes within different aspects of organizing. The book will be valuable to researchers, students, academics, and practitioners interested in managerial work and organizational change in non-profit organizations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Nonprofit organizations are vital contributors to social and cultural well-being, occupying a distinct position compared to corporate firms primarily focused on economic capital generation. However, recent years have witnessed a widespread push towards professionalization in the nonprofit sector, driven by funders, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide. This trend has coincided with an increasing influx of employees from both private and public sectors into nonprofits. While these shifts may create opportunities for the integration of managerial practices, they also raise concerns about the potential reconstitution of nonprofits as primarily economic entities serving the interests of a leadership elite.

In this comprehensive book, the authors delve into critical questions such as these through a unique insider account of one professional institute undergoing unprecedented changes that challenge its very existence. Conducting a three-year ethnography, they vividly portray the struggles of organizational inhabitants as they navigate their search for purpose amidst a sea of transformations. The authors analyze various aspects of organizing, including structure, strategy, pay and reward, governance, and leadership, shedding light on the myriad changes taking place within these domains.

By engaging with these critical questions, the book offers a fresh perspective on organizational change, challenging readers to reframe and rethink this process as one that involves power, persuasion, and authority. It is a valuable resource for researchers, students, academics, and practitioners interested in managerial work and organizational change in non-profit organizations. Through its insightful analysis and compelling narrative, the book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics and challenges faced by nonprofits as they strive to achieve their social and cultural missions in an ever-evolving landscape.

Weight: 130g
Dimension: 228 x 152 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367711047