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Understanding the Role of Nonprofit Organizations in the Provision of Social Services in China: An Exploratory Study

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Abstract

This article examines the role of nonprofit organizations in government-nonprofit collaboration in the provision of social services in China. A single case study design is implemented to explore how and why the government engages nonprofit organizations in providing social services. A theoretical framework for government-nonprofit collaboration is articulated by analyzing the case of organization A. The role of nonprofit organizations has been found to mainly be manifested in service delivery and capacity building. The case further reveals that nonprofit organizations that establish close ties with the government demonstrate strong capacities for delivering services, in which government support is critical to the survival of nonprofit organizations. On the one hand, whether a nonprofit organization can survive depends not only on its capacity to provide services but also on the capacity to partner with the government in a sustainable manner. On the other hand, the provision of social services is largely government guided, in contrast to the citizen-initiated approach practiced in some European countries. These findings also suggest the necessity of government-nonprofit collaboration for long-term social service delivery.

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Notes

  1. During the growth period, this organization was active in delivering philanthropic-related work for the common good. For example, this organization was active in serving orphans and people with disabilities by empowering with them skills and training. As a faith-based organization, it encourages the acts of loving and caring to support the development of church-run social services. It is also committed to building a platform for charitable cooperation among religions, exploring ways to develop faith-based charity work, and building capacity for religion-based philanthropy, with the aim of promoting the healthy development of the community. Throughout the years, this organization has continued to provide social services by working with different local government agencies and has now become an important collaborator of the government.

  2. The author participated in a two-day international conference on Senior Service from Nov.24th to Nov.25 2020, co-organized by this organization, which made it possible observe and communicate with organizational staff and experts to enrich current understanding of the operation of service programs.

  3. http://www.cpad.gov.cn/art/2016/7/14/art_343_141.html, accessed on May 28th, 2020.

  4. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2001/content_60854.htm, accessed on May 28th, 2020.

  5. A talk given by the secretary general of this organization in published reports.

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Acknowledgements

An earlier draft of this article has been presented at the 2020 Workshop for Junior Scholars in Public Administration, organized by the School of Public Administration and Policy, People’s University of China. The author would like to thank Professor Bangcheng Liu and Professor Yongdong Chen for their constructive comments.

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  1. Department of Public Administration, Jiangsu Administration Institute, Nanjing, 210009, China

    Xuan Tu

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Tu, X. Understanding the Role of Nonprofit Organizations in the Provision of Social Services in China: An Exploratory Study. Voluntas 32, 767–779 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-021-00375-1

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