Nonprofit Governance: Innovative perspectives and approaches

by Cornforth; Chris

• ISBN13: 9780415783361
• ISBN10: 0415783364
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2013-07-11
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The current fashion for rolling back the state and involving various euphemisms for the private sector in what were previously heartlands of the public sphere, significantly impacts upon accountability and governance. This collection offers a comprehensive assessment of the governance of non-profit organizations - bodies which are becoming ever more important in civil society. Research on the governance of non-profit organizations has been dominated by the study of boards of unitary organizations and has paid insufficient attention to the multi-level nature of governance, governance relationships and dynamics, and the contribution of actors rather than board members, to governance processes. Drawing on the research of leading scholars in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, this book presents new perspectives on non-profit governance, which help to overcome these weaknesses. This book gets 'closer' to the realities of boards in order to develop a deeper understanding of board processes and relationships, including how they deal with tensions and crises. It goes beyond the study of single boards to examine the operation of multi-level, multi-actor governance structures in the third sector, such as federations and inter-organizational partnerships and collaborations. Written in an accessible manner the book will be of value to scholars, researchers, students, reflective practitioners and governance consultants and advisers.