SAGE Journal Articles

Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

Article 1
Nonprofit Organizations in American History: Research Opportunities and Sources. 
Hammack, D.C. (2002) 
American Behavioral Scientist, 45: 1638–1674.

Discussion Questions

  • What can historical perspective contribute to the contemporary study of nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector?
  • Why should contemporary students and policymakers care about information concerning change in the nonprofit sector and nonprofit activity over long periods of time?
  • Do the six characteristics of nonprofit organizations identified by Lester Salamon and his colleagues still hold true for nonprofits today? If so, why?
  • What were some of the pivotal milestones that led to the transformation and growth of the nonprofit sector from 1900 to 1960?

 

Article 2
The Purpose (and Perils) of Government-Nonprofit Partnership. 
Gazley, B., Brudney, J.L. (2007) 
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 36: 389–415.

Discussion Questions

  • In the literature review, what role does collaboration play in public–private partnerships?
  • What are the main differences seen in a collaborative relationship versus a contractual relationship between public and private partners?
  • What were some of the benefits given in the surveys for collaborating? What were some of the identified barriers to collaboration?
  • What can nonprofits considering collaboration or partnerships with public organizations learn from this research?
  • How would you go about applying this information for your nonprofit organization?

 

Article 3
The Governance of Nonprofit Organizations: Integrating Agency Theory with Stakeholder and Stewardship Theories. Puyvelde, S., Caers, R., DuBois, C., Jegers, M. (2011)
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 41: 431–451.

Discussion Questions

  • Who are the typical stakeholders for a nonprofit organization and how does the literature characterize them?
  • How might the perspectives differ between the internal stakeholders and the external stakeholders?
  • What are the main differences between the agency theory and the stewardship theory?

 

Article 4
University-Based Educational Programs in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropic Studies: A 10-Year Review and Projections of Future Trends. 
Mirabella, R. (2007) 
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 36: 11S–27S.

Discussion Questions

  • What factors have led to the growth of courses and programs at the undergraduate level? At the graduate level?
  • Discuss some of the ways in which a nonprofit curriculum can be offered in a college or university.
  • How are universities responding to the need for managers of nongovernmental, NGO, and international nonprofit organizations?
  • Discuss the value of this research in preparing the future leaders of nonprofit organizations and NGOs and how that might impact your own career.

 

Article 5
Street Credentials and Management Backgrounds: Careers of Nonprofit Executives in an Evolving Sector. 
Suarez, D.F. (2009) 
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 39: 696–716.

Discussion Questions

  • How has the evolution of the nonprofit sector impacted the challenges of nonprofit leaders?
  • What types of experience other than the management experience enhance a nonprofit leader’s ability to be successful in management?
  • Describe the role that social entrepreneurs can play in the management of nonprofit organizations and how that might enhance nonprofits.
  • How can this research help direct your own path to nonprofit management?

 

Article 6
The Future of Nonprofit Management Education. 
O’Neill, M. (2007) 
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 36: 169S–176S.

Discussion Questions

  • Going forward into the future, what types of experimentation may take place with regard to other disciplines with stand-alone management programs?
  • Does the data indicate there will be standardization or some type of formal accreditation in the profession? Why or why not?
  • What does the author indicate will be the key challenge for the education of nonprofit managers over the next 10–20 years?
  • Do you think having a master’s degree in public administration will prepare you to better manage a nonprofit organization as opposed to someone with just experience in the sector?

 

Article 7
The Nonprofit Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh: Preparing Students for Transition to Professional Settings 
Kearns, K.P. (2014) 
Teaching Public Administration, 32(1): 21–38.

Discussion Questions

  • What were some of the risks that students and instructors had to take when creating and participating in the nonprofit clinic capstone seminar?
  • What were some of the benefits achieved through the creation of this capstone seminar?

 

Article 8
Effectual Processes in Nonprofit Start-Ups and Social Entrepreneurship: An Illustrated Discussion of a Novel Decision-Making Approach 
Yusuf (Wie), J., Sloan, M.F. (2015) 
The American Review of Public Administration, 45(4): 417–435.

Discussion Questions

  • Why does the theory of effectuation appear to be a more fitting decision-making approach than causation for social entrepreneurs?
  • How did the Innovation Center of Indiana apply effectual decision-making during its start-up process?