Patricia Bradshaw

Do Nonprofit Boards Make a Difference? An Exploration of the Relationships Among Board Structure, Process, and Effectiveness

The contribution of board structure and process dynamics to organiza tional and board effectiveness is the focus of this article. Based on data collected from a cross section of Canadian nonprofit organizations, the results show a positive association between the perception of board effec tiveness and the use of many of the most widely advocated prescriptions on how a nonprofit board of directors should operate. However, when objective indicators of organizational performance are examined, the link between performance and board behaviors is found to be more limited.

Academic Governance of Universities: Reflections of a Senate Chair on Moving From Theory to Practice and Back

This article, dealing with the topic of academic governance, is based on the experiences and reflections of a previous chair of a university senate. Grounded in recognition of the ever-increasing turbulence and complexity of the context of universities, it reveals some of the gaps and what gets silenced in the process and explores the paradoxical and inherently political nature of governance. Building on the current literature, the article attempts to extend and differentiate our conceptualization of governance and leadership as critical functions for university performance. In particular, governance is conceived of as the reframing, challenging, and questioning of the leadership vision and interpretation of reality and focuses on both external as well as internal trends over the long term and in ways that maximize responsiveness and strategic opportunities.

The Experiences of White Women on Corporate Boards in Canada

Hegemony: a complex web of conceptual and material arrangements that produce the fabric of everyday life and which work through pervading common sense, consent and by becoming part of the ordinary way of seeing the world, understanding one’s self and experiencing needs (Alvesson and Deetz, 1996)

Determinants of the Range of Ethnocultural Diversity on Nonprofit Boards: A Study of Large Canadian Nonprofit Organizations

Using data from a survey of large nonprofits across Canada, this study focuses on the determinants of the range of diversity (defined as the number of different ethnocultural and visible minority groups represented) on boards across the country. The determinants of diversity that the article examines include community, organizational, and general board characteristics as well as board diversity practices. We examine the extent to which these factors are related to an increased range of diversity on the boards. It appears that the diversity of the community that nonprofits operate in and efforts to institutionalize formal diversity-related policies are particularly significant determinants of diversity, although board size and reliance on interorganizational alliances in recruitment of board members also have a small relationship. The implications for theory and practice are examined.

Gendered organizational cultures in Canadian work organizations: implications for creating an equitable workplace

Results of a survey of Canadian work organizations reveal a broad set of gendered values embedded in organizational cultures. The findings of this study show stereotypically masculine values in the culture of these organizations and a desired change toward a culture that is more friendly, less accepting of established authority and less dominant. In addition, current cultures are perceived to reward men and women differently in terms of the values shown in their behavior, contributing to a discriminatory climate that makes many women feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. This makes many organizational change efforts particularly difficult.

Beyond Differentiation and Integration: The Challenges of Managing Internal Complexity in Federations

In this paper we examine the management of internal complexity in federations as a means of shedding new light on how the challenges inherent in governing these forms of inter-organizational networks are managed. Our analysis reveals that these networked organizations differed as a function of their approach to four complexity management activities: perspective shifting, shaping interactions, managing standards and constructing commitment. Based on the use of these four activities we identify three approaches to complexity management in this study – leveraging complexity, suppressing complexity and disengaging from complexity. Each of these approaches differed in their focus on differentiation or integration in the implementation of complexity management activities. We found that only leveraging complexity went beyond separate management activities aimed at differentiation or integration and employed policies and activities that possessed the capacity to optimize both simultaneously. In doing so, our study highlights new possibilities for complexity management by revealing the ways in which management activities can be designed to optimize both integration and differentiation.

From Diversity to Inclusion A Multimethod Study of Diverse Governing Groups

This article explores the dynamics of diversity and inclusion in the context of boards of directors in the nonprofit sector. Our multimethod study builds on current diversity research by exploring social microprocesses of inclusion in diverse governing groups. We consider functional and social approaches to inclusion within boards, and address the potential for more transformative inclusion. Our findings suggest significant opportunities for meaningful change by shifting focus from diversity to inclusive practices within diverse groups.

Book Review: Edwards, M. (2010). Small Change:Why Business Won’t Save the World. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler. 120 pp.

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