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Challenges in Managing Nonprofit Organizations: A Research Overview

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Abstract

The topic of “management” and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) continues to fascinate scholars. This paper draws on varying theoretical perspectives to explore their respective contributions to our knowledge of NPOs. The two longstanding and contrasting disciplines of economics and sociology have contributed most, traditionally, to the study of NPOs. However, neither of these disciplines has resolved all the dilemmas associated with NPOs. The standard economic model does not apply well to the distinctive nonmarket situation of NPOs. The sociological perspectives offer interesting insight, but fail to develop plans of action for NPOs. However, both of these traditional perspectives are starting to be eclipsed by the focus on marketing research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

    Bernd Helmig

  2. Department of Microeconomics of the Profit and Non-Profit Sectors, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium

    Marc Jegers

  3. IPSAR, University of Edinburgh Management School, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Irvine Lapsley

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  2. Marc Jegers
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Helmig, B., Jegers, M. & Lapsley, I. Challenges in Managing Nonprofit Organizations: A Research Overview. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations 15, 101–116 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VOLU.0000033176.34018.75

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