Nonprofit Administration and Management Commons^™

When Performance Is Not Enough: Managing Ngos In An Age Of Digital Mistrust, Christianna Sirindah Parr

Asian Management Insights

As NGOs lack formal authority, their influence depends on legitimacy, which can be contested at scale online. Leaders must treat social media as a governance decision, with clear scope, speaking authority and response protocols.

Rethinking Singer: Toward A Valid Argument For Helping The Global Poor, Joshua Luczak

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

For more than 50 years, Peter Singer has argued that we are required to donate to aid agencies. While many commentators have rejected one or more of his premises, no one appears to have challenged the argument’s validity, and it is often assumed to be valid even by critics. This article demonstrates that Singer’s common-sense morality arguments for donating to aid agencies are invalid. It then reconstructs a valid version of the argument consistent with Singer’s broader work, but shows that this version carries significant costs. The paper concludes that although we have a moral obligation to help those less …

Monitoring Incentives And Tax Planning: Evidence From State-Owned Enterprises, Eva Eberhartinger, David M. P. Samuel

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This study provides new evidence on the association of state ownership and tax planning by showing that a state owner’s monitoring incentives affect a firm’s tax planning. Using the setting of a developed market economy, Germany, we distinguish between state owners that directly benefit from state-owned enterprises’ (SOEs’) income tax payments and those that do not. Our results indicate that state ownership is not associated with less tax planning unless the state owner directly benefits from higher tax payments. These results are robust to various specifications and suggest that shareholders’ monitoring incentives are a determinant of a firm’s tax planning …

Inventory-Responsive Donor-Management Policy: A Tandem Queueing Network Model, Taozeng Zhu, Nicholas Teck Boon Yeo, Sarah Yini Gao, Gar Goei Loke

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Problem definition: In the blood-donor-management problem, the blood bank incentivizes donors to donate, given blood inventory levels. We propose a model to optimize such incentivization schemes under the context of random demand, blood perishability, observation period between donations, and variability in donor arrivals and dropouts. Methodology/results: We propose an optimization model that simultaneously accounts for the dynamics in the blood inventory and the donor’s donation process, as a coupled queueing network. We adopt the Pipeline Queue paradigm, which leads us to a tractable convex reformulation. The coupled setting requires new methodologies to be developed upon the existing Pipeline Queue framework. …

Arts Marketing, David Ocon

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Although there are hundreds of resources on traditional and commercial marketing, the materials available specifically for arts marketing are scarce, posing additional challenges for Gillian. Furthermore, while some focus on arts management, few of them address marketing from the perspective of a small-to-medium (often financially struggling) arts organization. An organization like Gillian’s often has limited resources, both financial and human, and can only approach marketing informally. However, it experiences the same pressures to perform well as larger arts institutions. Often, survival depends on how well it implements the marketing strategies that marketing staff create on their own. This chapter is …

Nonprofits As Socially Responsible Actors: Neoliberalism, Institutional Structures, And Empowerment In The United Nations Global Compact, Alwyn Lim

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations have become prominent participants in a global organizational responsibility movement. This trend of nonprofit responsibility is puzzling because nonprofits are presumably already dedicated to the pursuit of collective well-being objectives. This article examines the nonprofit responsibility movement from a cultural perspective, whereby broader cultural changes at the level of international organizations have constructed nonprofit entities as empowered and socially responsible actors. Using the case of the United Nations Global Compact, a global framework for corporate social responsibility, the author shows how (1) the construction of cultural meanings of autonomy and decentralization in the neoliberal context, (2) …

Charitable Organizations In Singapore: From Clan Based To State Facilitated Endeavors, Hang Wu Tang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Singapore, with a five million population, has a vibrant charitable sector with over 2000 registered charities attracting approximately USD$2.18 billion in annual donations. How did Singapore’s charitable sector achieve its current level when it has been, in the past, segregated along mainly religious, race and clan-based communities? This paper explores this question by piecing together the current ecosystem, regulatory and tax infrastructure which facilitates the charitable sector in Singapore. Central to the development of the charitable sector has been the Singapore government’s role of being a gatekeeper, regulator and enabler of charities. In analysing the government’s role in the charitable …

Corporate Evolution: From Ngos And Social Enterprises To ‘Good Companies’, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

Frequently seen as an alternative to the realities of hardcore corporate life, social entrepreneurship and its emphasis on giving back to society after a life of abundance, may well become a thing of the past, along with Non Government Organisations (NGOs), which often act as watchdogs of corporate and government policy and practice. Both will likely transition into and underpin new ‘good companies’. At least that’s the view of leading Singapore social entrepreneur, Jack Sim, the founder of the World Toilet Organisation (WTO).

Csr: Good Intentions And Wild Dreams Are Not Enough, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

When Mariam Al Foudery graduated over a decade ago, the people recruiting aggressively on campus were from investment banking and management consulting firms. But that’s changed, giving rise to more opportunities in corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship.

Transformative Scenario Planning: A Tool For Systemic Change, Adam Kahane

Social Space

A leading organiser, designer and facilitator of processes involving tri-sector collaboration, Adam Kahane shares with Social Space on how transformative scenario planning takes scenario planning to a new level and works as a powerful tool for systemic change.

Mapping Out An Age Friendly Singapore: Lessons From Pioneering Work In Ageing And Eldercare, Mary Ann Tsao

Social Space

As the Tsao Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2013, Social Space catches up with the indomitable Dr Mary Ann Tsao who explains what it means to be a catalyst for change and how the Foundation will continue in transforming the experience of longevity in the community.

Reconnecting The Non-Profit Organisation With Its Beneficiaries, Sharifah Mohamed

Social Space

Different stakeholder interests may cause non-profit organisations to lose sight of the real needs of their beneficiaries. Sharifah Mohamed shows how design thinking can help them to refocus.

Social Incubators: A Place For Changemakers To Call Home, Jared Tham

Social Space

While business incubators are an integral component of the startup ecosystem—by providing a space between the ideation stage and the point where investors are willing to commit funds— Jared Tham finds a dearth of similar structures in the non-profit sector to support fledgling social enterprises and social sector organisations.

Social Innovations In Thailand, Walaiphorn Wajavuth, Amarit Charoenphan

Social Space

Walaiphorn Wajavuth and Amarit Charoenphanare enthusiastic about the social innovations that are taking place in the Land of Smiles.

Towards Rio 2012 And Collaborative Governance For Sustainable Development, Jem Bendell

Social Space

Since the global Earth Summit in 1992, non-governmental organisations and businesses have made some strides towards sustainable development, but as Jem Bendell explains, governments need to join them.

Hard Truths About Heart Work: An Interview With Jennie Chua, Lien Centre For Social Innovation

Social Space

Just as there are calls for leadership to bridge the business and social worlds, there are also calls for new models and inspiration in the nonprofit sector. Social Space catches up with the inimitable Jennie Chua,fundraiser and chairman of the Community Chest, to hear her thoughts on these issues. True to form, Jennie delivers a few hard truths about fundraising and charity in Singapore.

Nonprofit Organisations And Social Entrepreneurship Intentions, Wee Liang Tan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Nonprofit organizations are valued because they provide services that address unmet needs. Non-profit organizations who engage in social entrepreneurship augment their contributions through the new services, programs, enterprises and revenue generated. It is not surprising, therefore, for policy makers to encourage social entrepreneurship, social innovations and social enterprises. Such an initia-tive was introduced in Singapore recently. However, not all nonprofit organizations seek to innovate or create social enterprises. They may continue to devote themselves to their specific fields and exist-ing practices. Entrepreneurship research suggests that under certain conditions, organizations engage in entrepreneurship through new ventures, projects, and innovations. Hence, it …

Uncovering The Dirty Secrets Of A Food Paradise: Young Journalists Go Undercover, Estelle Low, Miak Aw

Social Space

Singapore is universally known as a food paradise, but far less is known about the enormous amount of waste generated daily by individuals, supermarkets, food outlets and hotels. 20-something investigative journalists Miak Aw and Estelle Low go undercover to shed light on how much we waste as a nation and why this needs to change.

Storytellers As Philanthropic Champions: An Interview With Claire Chiang, Lien Centre For Social Innovation

Social Space

Singapore’s charity sector is undergoing significant changes to enhance management quality, accountability and transparency. But despite these positive changes, Ms Claire Chiang, entrepreneur and philanthropist, argues that Singapore also needs to cultivate a more visionary and global approach to philanthropy. She shares with Social Space her thoughts on storytelling and the need for mentors to champion the most urgent causes of the day.

Civil Society Sector And Political Change: An Interview With Catherine Lim, Lien Centre For Social Innovation

Social Space

Singapore is a society undergoing transitions. With a burgeoning migrant community, the advent of integrated resorts with casinos and an arguably increasingly effervescent non-profit, civil society sector, Singapore looks to be a society that is rapidly opening up. Yet, as writer and political commentator Catherine Lim controversially proposes, civil society and non-profit activists cannot create change without getting their voices heard and actively participating in the political process. She shares with Social Space, her thoughts on the indispensable ingredients for openness and political engagement in a society that wants to be truly global.

Media And The Non Profit World: A Case-Study On Wwf-Malaysia's Use Of Media Tools To Champion Advocacy, Anita Devasahayam

Social Space

As issues and campaigns for various causes in the non-profit space have begun to proliferate across Asia, the struggle to remain relevant and gain critical attention is growing. Author Anita Devasahayam discusses how the Malaysian chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature tackled the challenge by devising new media strategies and advocacy campaigns to remain relevant in an increasingly connected and cause-conscious world.

Transitions Within The Ecosystem Of Change, Willie Cheng

Social Space

The ecosystem paradigm provides a framework to understand and influence the forces of change facing the nonprofit sector. In this extract from the forthcoming book, “The World That Changes The World: How philanthropy, entrepreneurship and innovation are transforming the social ecosystem,” Willie Cheng describes the social ecosystem framework, its change enablers and macro-trends.

Service Innovation In The Non-Profit Sector, Gabriel Boon Siong Lim

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Non-profit organisations are valued because they provide services that address unmet needs. Nonprofits who engage in social entrepreneurship augment their contributions through new services, programmes, enterprises and revenue generated. It is not surprising, therefore, for policy makers to encourage social entrepreneurship, service innovations and social enterprises. However, not all nonprofits seek to innovate by creating revenue-generating social enterprises. They may continue to devote themselves to specific fields and existing practices through other forms of service innovations instead. The intent of nonprofits in starting new services is investigated through a two-pronged quantitative and qualitative research approach.

In the quantitative section, a …

Promoting Nonprofit Organisations' It Enablement In Singapore, Projjal Ghatak, Guillaume Sachet, Jared Tham

Lien Centre for Social Innovation: Research

The non profit landscape in Singapore is large and diverse, consisting of more than 1,800 registered charities and more than 500 approved Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs). These organisations vary in size from less than $100,000 in annual receipts to those with over $10 million in receipts. They also operate in over 10 sectors ranging from religion to education to sports. NPOs could consider the following four common models for enabling and deploying IT: In-sourcing; Outsourcing; Shared Services; Software as a Service (SaaS). Overcoming the challenges and capturing the opportunities can allow Singapore to increase the automation of the …

The Market And The Social Economy: Can The Twain Meet?, Willie Cheng

Social Space

Can the different paradigms of the market and social economy be reconciled? Willie Cheng suggests that the current remaking of both economies offers an invaluable opportunity.

Innovation: Not For The Non-Profit?, Sharifah Maisharah Mohamed

Social Space

Is innovation a foreign language in the social sector? Sharifah Maisharah Mohamed studies the innovation conundrum in the non-profit world.

Mergers And Acquisitions In The Non-Profit Space, Jared Tham

Social Space

Mergers and acquisitions are a given in the for-profit sector, but at least in the local nonprofit sector they are rare. Jared Tham believes this should not be the case.

A Funding Challenge For Charities: Getting The Right Mix, Yew Kee Ho, Gregory Tan

Social Space

The current financial crisis has sparked many new challenges for charities with regards to the inflow of charity dollars. Ho Yew Kee and Gregory Tan examine current income sources of 37 institutions of public character (IPCs) in Singapore and urge charities to revisit their current funding mix.

Promoting Third Sector Leadership: Letting A Thousand Flowers Bloom, Filippo Addarii, Ben Rattenbury

Social Space

How do we foster leadership and social innovation in the third sector? Filippo Addarii and Ben Rattenbury share a European method through the peer-led Euclid Network.

Philanthropy: Giving Meaninfully, Gerard Ee

Social Space

Helming one of Singapore’s more prominent non-profit organisations, the National Kidney Foundation, at a time when public confidence has been severely shaken, is a feat that requires more than just heartwarming feelings of goodwill. As the giving climate in Singapore gives way to donor fatigue and a degree of scepticism, Gerard Ee tells Social Space the kind of philanthropic acts that he thinks will bring local charity to the next level.