Celine Chew

The once and future pioneers? The innovative capacity of voluntary organisations and the provision of public services: A longitudinal approach

Abstract The prior history of voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) as pioneers of public services during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century has lead to reification of the innovativeness of these organisations. Is this reification justified – are VCOs inherently innovative, or is innovation contingent on other factors? This paper reports on a longitudinal study of this capacity conducted over 1994 – 2006. This study finds that the innovative capacity of VCOs is in fact not an inherent capacity but rather is contingent upon the public policy framework that privileges innovation above other activity of VCOs. The implications of this for theory, policy and practice are considered.

Exploring strategic positioning in the UK charitable sector: emerging evidence from charitable organizations that provide public services

The UK voluntary sector operates in an arguably enabling policy context. Yet, other external environmental influences have posed major challenges for charitable organizations within the wider voluntary sector. This paper aims to rectify the current lack of empirical research on how charitable organizations have responded in terms of their strategic positioning to the changing external operating environment and policy context. It both explores the positioning strategies adopted by two contrasting British charities that deliver public services in different ways, and investigates the factors that have influenced their choice of positioning strategies. The cases studied extend our knowledge of strategic positioning in organizations other than commercial (for-profit) ones. The findings provide new evidence that charities have begun to strategically position themselves in response to both internal organizational factors and external environmental influences. Emerging lessons from the experiences of the case study organizations provide guidance to charity managers in planning and implementing strategic positioning in their organizations. The findings also underscore the need to develop theoretical and conceptual management models specific to non-profit organizations, such as charities.

Relationship marketing, relational capital and the future of marketing in public service organizations

This article proposes an innovative model of marketing practice for public services. This is rooted in the paradigm of relationship marketing and emphasizes the need to build relational capital between and within organizations operating in the public services arena. It is argued that this is essential for the effective management of contemporary public services in the fragmented state.

Identifying the Factors That Influence Positioning Strategy in U.K. Charitable Organizations That Provide Public Services : Toward an Integrating Model

This article is based on empirical research that for the first time identifies and explains the key factors that influence the organizational-level positioning strategy of charities involved in the delivery of public services within the wider voluntary nonprofit sector in the United Kingdom. The multidimensional factors are integrated in a theoretical model, which the authors argue is better able to accommodate the charitable context. The model suggests that a combination of external environmental, organizational, and mediating factors influence the positioning strategy of charities. Several of these factors are unique to the charitable context. They highlight the inadequacy of the existing marketing and strategy literature on positioning to fully explain strategic positioning in charities. Together, the research findings and the model provide distinct additions to the voluntary sector management literature while also providing an alternative perspective to researching charity positioning in contemporary marketing and strategy literature.

Strategic Positioning in UK Charities that Provide Public Services: Implications of a New Integrating Model

This article explores the implications of a proposed model that integrates the multi-dimensional factors influencing strategic positioning in charities that provide public services. It argues that the existing commercial marketing/strategy interpretations of strategic positioning, such as positioning motives, strategic positioning process and the marketing role in positioning, have limitations when applied to non-profit organizations, such as charities.

The Public Service Offering and its Influence on Marketing Priorities in Local Government Organizations

Abstract This article employs a comparative case study methodology to critically examine the types of marketing activity undertaken by two local government organizations that are involved in providing discretionary and non-discretionary services, respectively. Achievement of income targets and user satisfaction standards were found to be central to the success of marketing efforts in discretionary public services, while these were not priority objectives in non-discretionary public services. This key difference influenced the range and intensity of marketing activity undertaken and resource commitments provided by public service organizations. Three propositions for future theory development and practice in marketing for public services are offered.

Strategic Positioning And Organizational Adaptation In Social Enterprise Subsidiaries Of Voluntary Organizations

Abstract This article examines a new organizational form, the community interest company (CIC), as a means for voluntary and charitable organizations to embark on formalized social enterprise activities in the UK. A combination of social, economic, legal and strategic positioning factors has influenced charities to set up CICs as social enterprise subsidiaries to complement their public service work. CICs with charitable origins have relatively weak strategic positions, which are distinct from those of their parent charities. This difference creates tensions in the relationship between the CICs and their parent charities, which have implications for the management of third sector social enterprises.

Good Dog SPOT? Single Pot Funding of Local Voluntary and Community Groups

This paper reports on a recent pilot project by the English government aimed at introducing ‘single pot’ funding for local voluntary and community groups. It finds that implementation difficulties undermined the success of the scheme. Moreover, whilst local voluntary and community groups were initially enthusiastic about the scheme, this was eroded both by the shortfall in funding for the initiative and by conflicting priorities for it from its national and regional flinders and from local groups.