The quest for independence – balancing control and autonomy by identity work
(2023) The Ninth Conference for Research in Diakonia and Christian Social Practice- Abstract
- A range of third-sector organizations, among them diaconal actors, contributes actively to the
welfare mix in the Nordic countries. The independence of these actors is in constant tension with the
fact that the organizations are dependent on resources from the surrounding society. Norms and
rules influence nonprofit organizations to adopt practices that change the organization, in the
direction of an adaptation to external requirements. Research demonstrates how independent actors
are limited or more or less transformed by regulations and assignment directives. Adapting to
financiers' requirements both in terms of operational goals and forms of reporting can affect the
voluntary organizations' core values and... (More) - A range of third-sector organizations, among them diaconal actors, contributes actively to the
welfare mix in the Nordic countries. The independence of these actors is in constant tension with the
fact that the organizations are dependent on resources from the surrounding society. Norms and
rules influence nonprofit organizations to adopt practices that change the organization, in the
direction of an adaptation to external requirements. Research demonstrates how independent actors
are limited or more or less transformed by regulations and assignment directives. Adapting to
financiers' requirements both in terms of operational goals and forms of reporting can affect the
voluntary organizations' core values and their autonomy.
Thus, how to develop and maintain the voluntary organizations position as an independent
actor? This presentation of an analysis from a five-year case study of a voluntary organization reveals
how external demands are handled in relation to an internal dynamic where the organization's
identity and independence are in focus. This case study – theorized by resource dependency- and
neo-institutional theory – contributes to a nuanced picture of the idea-driven organization's agency
in a context filled with demands for responsibility and proof of achievements. (Less) - Abstract (Swedish)
- A range of third-sector organizations, among them diaconal actors, contributes actively to the welfare mix in the Nordic countries. The independence of these actors is in constant tension with the fact that the organizations are dependent on resources from the surrounding society. Norms and rules influence nonprofit organizations to adopt practices that change the organization, in the direction of an adaptation to external requirements. Research demonstrates how independent actors are limited or more or less transformed by regulations and assignment directives. Adapting to financiers' requirements both in terms of operational goals and forms of reporting can affect the voluntary organizations' core values and their autonomy.
Thus, how... (More) - A range of third-sector organizations, among them diaconal actors, contributes actively to the welfare mix in the Nordic countries. The independence of these actors is in constant tension with the fact that the organizations are dependent on resources from the surrounding society. Norms and rules influence nonprofit organizations to adopt practices that change the organization, in the direction of an adaptation to external requirements. Research demonstrates how independent actors are limited or more or less transformed by regulations and assignment directives. Adapting to financiers' requirements both in terms of operational goals and forms of reporting can affect the voluntary organizations' core values and their autonomy.
Thus, how to develop and maintain the voluntary organizations position as an independent actor? This presentation of an analysis from a five-year case study of a voluntary organization reveals how external demands are handled in relation to an internal dynamic where the organization's identity and independence are in focus. This case study – theorized by resource dependency- and neo-institutional theory – contributes to a nuanced picture of the idea-driven organization's institutional work in a context filled with demands for responsibility and proof of achievements. Identity work for a voluntary organization is not only to fulfill the external expectations and behave like a modern rational organization.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/d717cb72-07fe-4812-83df-295e05d860d0
- author
- Linde, Stig LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023-06-01
- type
- Contribution to conference
- publication status
- unpublished
- subject
- keywords
- Voluntary organizations, Impact report, Autonomy
- pages
- 14 pages
- conference name
- The Ninth Conference for Research in Diakonia and Christian Social Practice
- conference location
- Oslo, Norway
- conference dates
- 2023-05-31 - 2023-06-02
- project
- Granskningssamhällets krav och civilsamhällets (re)aktioner
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- d717cb72-07fe-4812-83df-295e05d860d0
- date added to LUP
- 2023-06-02 21:08:54
- date last changed
- 2023-06-12 07:39:30
@misc{d717cb72-07fe-4812-83df-295e05d860d0,
abstract = {{A range of third-sector organizations, among them diaconal actors, contributes actively to the<br/>welfare mix in the Nordic countries. The independence of these actors is in constant tension with the<br/>fact that the organizations are dependent on resources from the surrounding society. Norms and<br/>rules influence nonprofit organizations to adopt practices that change the organization, in the<br/>direction of an adaptation to external requirements. Research demonstrates how independent actors<br/>are limited or more or less transformed by regulations and assignment directives. Adapting to<br/>financiers' requirements both in terms of operational goals and forms of reporting can affect the<br/>voluntary organizations' core values and their autonomy.<br/>Thus, how to develop and maintain the voluntary organizations position as an independent<br/>actor? This presentation of an analysis from a five-year case study of a voluntary organization reveals<br/>how external demands are handled in relation to an internal dynamic where the organization's<br/>identity and independence are in focus. This case study – theorized by resource dependency- and<br/>neo-institutional theory – contributes to a nuanced picture of the idea-driven organization's agency<br/>in a context filled with demands for responsibility and proof of achievements.}},
author = {{Linde, Stig}},
keywords = {{Voluntary organizations; Impact report; Autonomy}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{06}},
title = {{The quest for independence – balancing control and autonomy by identity work}},
year = {{2023}},
}