Fredrik O. Andersson

Reframing Social Entrepreneurship Impact: Productive, Unproductive and Destructive Outputs and Outcomes of the Milwaukee School Voucher Programme

Abstract This paper initially seeks to problematize the common assumption that all social entrepreneurship impact is positive. No matter what social entrepreneurs and other powerful intermediaries subjectively believe or hope, assuming that social entrepreneurship is always productive a priori imposes significant limits on this budding field. In order to overcome this bias it is necessary to reframe how we approach and assess social entrepreneurship impact. Drawing from the economic entrepreneurship literature, this paper outlines a multi-dimensional framework to serve as a useful and preferable starting point for assessing social entrepreneurship. We then make use of this multi-dimensional lens to look closer at the impact of one case of social entrepreneurship, the school voucher programme in Milwaukee.

Organizational Failure in the Hollow State: Lessons from the Milwaukee Voucher Experience

ABSTRACT In this conceptual article we use the experience of the longstanding Milwaukee private school voucher program to categorize different failure types within the hollow state. Specifically, we argue that the overall performance of the hollow state is dependent on the performance of organizations operating within the hollow state, that organizational failures are inevitable in hollow state activities, and that such failures can be categorized as marketplace failures, service failures, institutional failures, or customer service failures. We conclude that policy makers must plan for the reality of organizational failures in the hollow state if such arrangements are to be effective.

Nascent Nonprofit Entrepreneurship Exploring the Formative Stage of Emerging Nonprofit Organizations

The purpose of this article is to provide a window into the earliest phase of nonprofit organizational formation. Using a sample of 91 nascent nonprofit entrepreneurs and a framework from the entrepreneurship literature identifying the vital capacities for new venture development success, this exploratory article examines the capacity endowments of nascent nonprofits. The results indicate that nascent nonprofits have rather well-developed venture ideas and also a good understanding of whom they will serve. However, few have developed programs or services ready to be implemented or established relations with real beneficiaries and/or payers. In addition, this research highlights differences in capacity between nascent nonprofit entrepreneurs with and without previous start-up experience.

Determinants of organizational performance in a reinventing government setting: evidence from the Milwaukee school voucher programme

ABSTRACT This paper advances the institutional entrepreneurial literature by exploring how, and when, the institutional entrepreneurial concepts embedded in theories of Reinventing Government and New Public Management are successful. Specifically, organizational level data from the nation’s oldest and largest urban school voucher programme are used to test how fundraising, reliance on government revenue, and membership in an umbrella organization impact different measures of performance. The analysis shows that organizations that fundraise, establish diverse revenue streams, and/or are members of established networks have certain performance advantages. The results are relevant to policymaker considering governance reforms premised on entrepreneurial activity.

Examining the Role and Diversity of Fiscal Sponsors in the Nonprofit Sector

This study discusses and documents the role and diversity of fiscal sponsors within the nonprofit sector. Fiscal sponsors provide critical support to nascent nonprofits, yet relatively little is known about which nonprofits elect to become fiscal sponsors, which type of projects and/or organizations do they choose to sponsor, and what costs are associated with sponsorship. We find that Arts and Philanthropic/Grantmaking subsectors are the most frequent home for fiscal sponsors; however, most subsectors house fiscal sponsors. Interestingly, with rare exception, fiscal sponsors charge a non-trivial fee based on revenues raised by the sponsored organization in exchange for administrative support services. The administrative support services provided cluster around financial management (bookkeeping, tax, bill paying). Overall, this study sheds light on an important support function for nascent nonprofits. The study concludes with future research streams that can further our collective understanding of a growing and critical support function for early stage nonprofits.

Supervisor Attitudes toward Term Limits in Wisconsin Towns

ABSTRACT This research examines the influences on town supervisor attitudes regarding term limits in their respective towns. Very little research has been done on local government term limits, and much of this research is descriptive in nature. In this analysis we examine the attitudes and beliefs of town supervisors toward term limits and their perceived impact in Wisconsin towns, therefore filling a major void in this literature. We first examine whether town supervisors believe there is a need for term limits to be implemented, and then proceed to examine what those supervisors believe would be the effects of those term limits.