Abstract
The recently intensified interest in accountability for nonprofit organizations is beginning to generate a significant volume of literature for the managers to employ, including compliance issues and financial accountabilities. Research is missing in the areas of professionalism and accountability in the nonprofit sector. The nonprofit organizations struggle to identify and implement standards appropriate to their mission and programs. All the sectors suffer for widely publicized errors in the area of accountability, but perhaps current and future research can provide information to help achieve the public accountability demanded of private nonprofit agencies.
Improving the Quality of Public Administration Research on Nonprofits:
Dismantling the Three Sector Model
Cheever, Kinney and Wolfe examine the definitions, history, economic constructs, and evolving position of nonprofit organization in the United States. The question is if the three sector model has validity. The article also presents a case study of a Denver-based not-for-profit community development that shows many overlapping roles for the three sectors, which support the idea that the three-sector model is dissolving. The lines between government, private business and private nonprofit activity are often blurred and collaboration between these partners has erased the sector lines. Cross-sector partnerships present new challenges and future research can help delineate areas of responsibility and potential, presenting a brave new world. Political, cultural and ethical environments will be part of any concept of the universe of organizations in which vol ...