In search of the non-profit sector II: The problem of classification

Abstract

Building on a previous Voluntas article ( Salamon and Anheier, 1992b), which formulated a systematic approach to defining the non-profit sector for purposes of comparative research, this article takes on the complementary task of formulating a classification system that can be used to differentiate systematically the types of non-profit organisations that exist at the global level. To do so, the article first assesses a number of existing classification systems, such as the International Standard Industrial Classification and the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities. Finding these systems inadequate, the article then introduces an alternative system, which we term the International Classification of Nonprofit Organizations (ICNPO). The ICNPO classifies non-profit establishments into 12 major groups based on their primary economic activity, and then further sub-divides these into 24 sub-groups. The result is a system that scores high in terms of five key evaluation criteria: economy, significance, rigour, organising power, and richness. What is more, initial tests of the ICNPO in a set of countries show that it performs well in coming to terms with the diverse types of non-profit institutions that exist around the world.

Third sector governance: a case study in a university support foundation

“…To Salamon (1998), the third sector is an "impressive network of autonomous private associations, not oriented towards distributing profits to shareholders or directors, but rather serving public purposes, although from outside the formal apparatus of the State" (p. 5). Salamon and Anheier (1992) discussed the structural traits that distinguish the third sector from other organizations, including their formal business formation, non-governmental nature, autonomy, lack of profit distribution, and volunteering work.…”

Measuring What Matters—Indicators of Social Innovativeness on the National Level

“…The field categories applied in the model have been derived from a review of existing classifications, each of which are characterized by a distinct (implicit) line of argumentation with regard to the nexus between social needs and fields of activity. Since non-profit organizations address social needs, it can be assumed that the types of NPOs (non-profit organizations) in the "International Classification of Non-Profit Organizations" (ICNPO, see Salamon & Anheier, 1992) will roughly correspond to the main types of social needs. Another line of relevant research comes from the "Munich school of social geography" that explicitly relates to human needs to define separate fields of activity (Werlen, 2000, p.…”

L’intégration de l’économie publique et de l’économie sociale et coopérative : vers un nouveau modèle suédois?

“…Comme dans le système développé par Salamon et Anheier (1992b), l'objectif de cette section est d'élaborer un modèle permettant une classification des organisations. Ceci signifie que la notion de «secteur informel» peut être éliminée puisqu'elle se rapporte principalement à des groupes de l'économie mixte (membres de la famille, voisins et autres) n'ayant aucune constitution formelle ou ensemble de règles (Wistow et al, 1994).…”

“…Dans un programme de recherche proposé par Aimas et Forbord (1995), l'économie sociale est analysée conceptuellement, et sur le plan international, il existe une vaste littérature -tant des développements théoriques que des études comparatives empiriques de divers pays -sur le troisième secteur et les organisations à but non lucratif (Anheier et Defourny et Monzôn Campos, 1992;van TiI, 1988, et bien d'autres encore). Le grand projet de recherche international développé actuellement par l'Université Johns Hopkins (Salamon et Anheier, 1992a, 1992b, 1996a, 1996b permet également de replacer le modèle suédois (l'ancien aussi bien que le nouveau) dans un cadre théorique.…”