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Sustainability in non-profit organizations: Exploring drivers, challenges, and opportunities
Södertörn University, School of Social Sciences, Business Studies.
2023 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesisAlternative title
Hållbarhetsarbete inom icke vinstridvande organisationer : En undersökning av drivkrafter, utmaningar och möjligheter (Swedish)
Abstract [en]

Title: Sustainability in non-profit organizations. Exploring drivers, challenges, and opportunities This study explores the drivers, challenges, and opportunities that non-profit organizations face when adopting sustainability practices. By focusing on the drivers, challenges, and opportunities, the study investigates what motivates these organizations to adopt sustainability practices, challenges, and unique opportunities. 

The method chosen for the study has enabled an in-depth analysis using triangulation of the organization's sustainability information and interviews. These have illustrated a complex interplay of cultural, strategic, collaborative, and institutional factors driving sustainability efforts. For example, resource constraints were consistently mentioned in interviews as a predominant challenge, whereas organizational documents pointed towards collaborative endeavors as a critical solution. This dual perspective underscores the balance between challenges and solutions in sustainability work.

The findings indicate that sustainability in non-profit organizations is subject to change, influenced by internal dynamics, including the alignment with core objectives and the necessity to maintain societal relevance. External pressures, such as expectations from stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, and regulatory bodies, further shape these initiatives. These organizations encounter challenges, including resource limitations and knowledge gaps, which they address through collaborative initiatives and educational endeavors. Opportunities arising from sustainability include enhanced member engagement and environmental impact mitigation. This research portrays sustainability as an ongoing process with challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability into operational strategies.

Abstract [sv]

Titel: Hållbarhetsarbete inom icke vinstridvande organisationer. En undersökning av drivkrafter, utmaningar och möjligheter. Denna studie utforskar de drivkrafter, utmaningar och möjligheter som ideella organisationer står inför när de inför hållbarhetspraktiker. Genom att fokusera på drivkrafter, utmaningar och möjligheter undersöker studien vad som motiverar dessa organisationer att införa hållbarhetsarbete, utmaningar och möjligheter. 

Metoden som valts för studien har möjliggjort en djupgående analys genom triangulering utav intervjuer och hållbarhetsinformation hos fyra organisationer. Dessa har åskådliggjort en komplex samverkan av kulturella, strategiska, samarbetsmässiga och institutionella faktorer som driver hållbarhetsarbetet. Exempelvis nämndes resursbegränsningar konsekvent i intervjuer som en framträdande utmaning, samtidigt som rapporter pekade mot samarbete som en central lösning. Detta dubbla perspektiv understryker balansen mellan utmaningar och lösningar i hållbarhetsarbetet. 

Resultaten indikerar att hållbarhet inom icke-vinstdrivande organisationer är föränderlig, påverkad av interna dynamiker och anpassning till mål, idé och vision. Externa påtryckningar, som förväntningar från intressenter och styrande organ, påverkar dessa initiativ. De studerande organisationerna står inför utmaningar, som resursbegränsningar och kunskapsbrist. Möjligheter kopplade till hållbarhet innefattar medlemsengagemang och minskning av miljöpåverkan. Denna studie betraktar hållbarhet som en process med både utmaningar och möjligheter.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2023. , p. 76
Keywords [en]
Non-profit organizations, non-profit, sustainability, drivers, challenges, opportunities, sustainability efforts, cultural influences, institutional pressure, collaboration
Keywords [sv]
Icke vinstdrivande organisationer, non-profit, hållbarhet, drivkrafter, utmaningar, möjligheter, hållbarhetsarbete
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-52522OAI: oai:DiVA.org:sh-52522DiVA, id: diva2:1805617
Subject / course
Business Studies
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Examiners
Available from: 2023-10-18 Created: 2023-10-17 Last updated: 2023-10-18Bibliographically approved

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