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Building the Knowledge Base of Nonprofit Management:
A Searchable Database
Defining Excellence in Human Service Organizations
Abstract
Explores theories of organization design & describes the benchmark model of an excellent organization used by managers of nonprofit human service organizations. The lack of research on the question of excellence in nonprofit organizations is discussed in a brief literature review. In a survey, 51 managers from direct service agencies & policy, planning, & funding organizations in Ontario were interviewed about their views on how to define & recognize an excellent organization. Their responses identified these factors: a sense of purpose, focus on serving client needs, reciprocal commitments to & from staff, flexibility & adaptability, congruence, & attention to internal processes. No relationship between these criteria & participants' backgrounds or types of organizations was found. While further research into how organizations achieve excellence is needed, managers would do well to experiment with applying these criteria.
Journal
(1998)
vol22
no1
pages33-45
Categories
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Nonprofit Organizations (Theory)
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Organizational Theory
