Managing Strategic Challenges in Community Sector Organisations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1321816600002579Keywords:
Community-based organisations, current economic and social policy contexts, strategic challengesAbstract
Like those in other sectors, managers in community-based organisations face an uncertain and challenging future. Research and writing about the community sector (non-government, not-for-profit, or third sector) has canvassed a wide range of issues. A selective review of the recent literature reveals the breadth of research interest in the challenges facing community sector managers. While some reflection on the implications for managers of current economic and social policy contexts is crucial for this sector, research effort needs to be focused on understanding how third sector managers construe their current strategic challenges and the strategies they use to address them. A small sample of managers working in a regional area in South East Queensland was asked to identify current strategic concerns related to the future viability of their organisations. The key issues raised by managers are compared with the issues raised in the research literature. Results to date indicate that managers' concerns are reflected in the research literature, but that managers are also concerned about the current trends in social policy towards collaboration, amalgamation, and partnership. Implications of these findings for managers operating in this sector are discussed.
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