Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This study analyzes the diffusion of policy innovation among nonprofit organizations in different American states. Current literature on the diffusion of policy innovation among the states focuses on the transfer of policy between governments, overlooking the interstate transfer of policy among nonprofits. In contrast to the prevailing quantitative study of policy diffusion between individuals in government, a qualitative approach is used that considers organizational determinants of successful diffusion. The study uses in-depth interviews with 74 policy actors to examine the spread of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood� Project to nonprofits in four states. It finds that nonprofit-to-nonprofit policy diffusion consists of multiple stages and a number of policy actor roles. It also sheds light on similarities and differences between nonprofit and governmental diffusion of policy innovation and builds a foundation for further research on nonprofit policy diffusion.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study identifies the organizational characteristics of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) that use their Web sites as a tool to enhance their accountability. This online accountability, or virtual accountability (VA), is defined here as an organization’s use of its Web site to disseminate information in a user-friendly format, while providing feedback mechanisms for the user to interact with the organization. The VA score is obtained by coding each Web site for its usability, content, and communication mechanisms. Organizational characteristics such as size, revenue sources, expenditures, and service area are then regressed against the organization’s VA score. This study expands on a relatively new concept of outward accountability. This outward focus is warranted due to the modern view of accountability that moves away from the traditional hierarchical, principle-agent structure due to the increasing utilization of networks and partnerships. Given the multitude of stakeholders nonprofit organizations have, and the cost effectiveness of communicating with them via the Web, the study of an NPO’s incorporation of VA will add to creating a better understanding of how NPOs can remain viable and responsive to their stakeholders.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: With the retirement of the approximately 77 million baby boomers and only about 38 million “Generation Xers” available to take their places (Teegarden, 2004), the pace of executive transitions in the nonprofit sector can be anticipated to accelerate in the next few years. Looking at the executive transitions that took place in the nonprofit sector in Michigan recently, this paper analyzes the organizations’ strategic adaptation and transition process, analysis the required skills and organizational expectations of new leaders, and tests the assumption that organizational reassessment determines the success of the transition and enhances the organization’s strategic position. All these analyses allow us to provide a picture of a “future” leader and the path they have to travel onto in order to reach the CEO position in a nonprofit organization.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In the face of growing resource shortages and declining public trust, nonprofit organizations must find ways to garner new supporters. Effective missioning, or selling what the organization does, is an important first step in building identification with and commitment to one�s nonprofit organization. Formal mission statements are an integral component of organizations� overall missioning strategies. Communicating these mission statements meaningfully to the next generation of constituents requires both successful Internet implementation as well as incorporation of prominent rhetorical frames. This study provides baseline data on the online availability of 100 New York City nonprofit organizations� mission statements. Additionally, a content analysis of 83 New York City nonprofit organizations� mission statements yielded three common rhetorical frames related to the purposes and goals of the nonprofit sector. This research provides a foundation from which to assess the successfulness of nonprofit organizations� overall missioning efforts.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This study examines how changes in the economic and political environments of nonprofit organizations offer the opportunity for these groups to exercise influence over the resource distribution decisions of government. I identify three activity arenas for nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs): service provision, community organizing, and formal politics. Two key changes in the structural environment of CBOs � the steep rise in third-party contracting of public services, and the decline of local political party organizations � have positioned CBOs as mediators between local residents and elected officials, with incentives to perform political mobilization tasks alongside their traditional service and organizing work. I describe a model of this process, including its embeddedness in a wider environment of political exchanges and governmental decision-making. Alongside traditional service and organizing CBOs, I identify a new form of CBO: the machine politics CBO. The machine politics CBO adds formal politics to its service and organizing work in order to impact government decisions about the awarding of public social provision contracts. By reciprocally distributing service resources to residents, and binding residents to the organization, machine politics CBOs create reliable voting constituencies for local elected officials. These officials then trade these constituencies at higher levels of the governmental system, steering public service contracts to favored CBOs. Through this informal process, nonprofit CBOs are able to influence the distribution of local and state public resources.