Critical Applications of Heterogeneity Theories to Power in Nonprofit Human Services Organizations

Abstract

The field of nonprofit studies often assumes that efforts of actors in the nonprofit landscape are beneficial, especially when considering nonprofit human service organizations. However, there are both theoretical and empirical reasons for scholars to adopt a more critical lens when examining these organizations. Taking nonprofit human services organizations as a common setting, the article uses a critical lens to apply classic, “mainstream” theories of the role of heterogeneity in nonprofit sector formation and illuminate risks often neglected in nonprofit human services research. In this way, the article demonstrates that classic social science theories of heterogeneity already offer us the tools we need to critically question dominant assumptions about nonprofit human services provision and challenges the reader to consider why we so rarely use these well-known theoretical frameworks in a critical manner. The article concludes by inviting scholars to utilize additional critical theoretical perspectives in future studies of nonprofit human services.

Predictors of Nonprofit Ethno-Racial Diversity: Examining Local Community Demographics and Political Ideology

“…With the Black Lives Matter movement shedding greater light on institutional racism in the United States, the increase in public discourse regarding social and ethno-racial injustice, and the ongoing discussion of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the nonprofit sector (Azevedo et al, 2021; Flanigan, 2021), understanding the drivers of ethno-racial diversity within the nonprofit sector has taken on even greater urgency and relevance. Our findings suggest a diversity gap at the upper levels of nonprofit organizations and shed light on two local community characteristics, ethno-racial diversity and political ideology, that partially drive ethno-racial diversity within the nonprofit sector.…”

The role of charitable funding in the provision of public services: the case of the English and Welsh National Health Service

“…Billis and Glennerster (1998) alternatively argue that charities can have a comparative advantage in 'restricted but important areas of human service provision' compared to private and public sector organisations. These theories as developed by Weisbrod, James, Salamon, Billis and Glennerster and others, are still being engaged with and tested to provide novel insights into the role of charities in the provision of public services, as exemplified by Zuhlke's (2022) and Flanigan's (2022) critical appraisals of heterogeneity theory.…”

Towards a successful free senior high school policy in Ghana: the role of non-profit organisations

“…This feature's binding nature allows non-profits to gain a competitive advantage in earning the trust of the communities in which they operate. This is because nonprofits concentrate on meeting the distinct needs of people or the community rather than their self-interest (Aveling, 2010;Flanigan, 2021). From an organisational perspective, Flanigan (2021) argues that power dynamics are inherent in nonprofit human services organisations that determine what kind of services they will provide for people or communities and how well-serviced resources will be.…”

“…This is because nonprofits concentrate on meeting the distinct needs of people or the community rather than their self-interest (Aveling, 2010;Flanigan, 2021). From an organisational perspective, Flanigan (2021) argues that power dynamics are inherent in nonprofit human services organisations that determine what kind of services they will provide for people or communities and how well-serviced resources will be. Further, Flanigan (2021) adds that power dynamics among non-profit organisations create an unequal advantage in providing community human services as non-profit organisations 'compete on an unequal footing for scarce resources and a limited number of possible constituents'.…”

“…From an organisational perspective, Flanigan (2021) argues that power dynamics are inherent in nonprofit human services organisations that determine what kind of services they will provide for people or communities and how well-serviced resources will be. Further, Flanigan (2021) adds that power dynamics among non-profit organisations create an unequal advantage in providing community human services as non-profit organisations 'compete on an unequal footing for scarce resources and a limited number of possible constituents'. In the education sector, many non-profits typically have 'demand-side' stakeholders such as donors, community members, and staff directly or indirectly affected by the educational challenges they are addressing (Dzokoto, 2017).…”