AN OUTLIENE OF CIVIL
SOCEITY AND
MANGEMENT
CHALLENGES OF NGOs OR
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS
Amjad Nazeer
4/2/2010
Amjad Nazeer Management Challenges of NGOs
2
AN OUTLIENE OF CIVIL SOCEITY AND
MANGEMENT CHALLENGES OF NGOs OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Abstract:
While stepping into its middle ages the nonprofit-sector is struggling with and discovering its
own management system as do the experts and academicians. The questions are, can it
learn from public and private sector management models? If yes! How far? If not! What is
the way out then? What type of management is already in place, if any? Nevertheless,
delving into the management debate is difficult without having an idea of civil society first, of
which nonprofits are the strategic constituent. That is why the article will begin drawing an
outline of civil society. It will then proceed to the concept of, but mainly to the management
approach and challenges of the non-profits. Management dilemma and complications that
contemporary not-for-profit sector faces with, is the main theme of this article. Along with
political, economic and ethical inevitabilities, internal and external tensions of the sector are
given a due consideration. Quandaries caused by the sources of revenue, autonomy and the
complex relation with state and market are also seen through. A co-relation between the
governing board, accountability and performance-measurement is also explained.
Describing the inapplicability of the bureaucratic and the scientific management theory, the
article proceeds to the management approaches of the not-for-profits, though heavily relying
upon H.K. Anheier’s understanding and analysis of the not-for-profit management. Although
it is difficult to speak about adequacy and inadequacy of a particular approach but certain
ideas and insights are shared for the guidance of policy makers and managers in t