Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fields of Action to Advance the Digital Transformation of NPOs – Development of a Framework

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Perspectives in Business Informatics Research (BIR 2020)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing ((LNBIP,volume 398))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

Technology-based business improvements characterize the so-called digital transformation (DT). For non-profit organizations (NPOs), with their unique value creation structure and specific preconditions in terms of staff and resources, keeping up with the DT is challenging. Still, opportunities for the DT are unknown. Thus far, there are no comprehensive guidelines for DT strategy development in NPOs. Both digital value creation and digitally supported communication with customers can lead to competitive advantages. Therefore, NPO decision-makers must understand the opportunities and the challenges of DT. In our research approach, we aim to answer the research question: What are the fields of action for the digital transformation in NPOs? Following a grounded theory approach, we have developed a theoretical framework including fields of action and guidance for the strategic advancement of DT in NPOs. The results show that NPOs need to be aware of their digital communications channels with volunteer staff, customers and donors. A clear DT vision and new roles help NPOs meet this challenge.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Brynjolfsson, E., McAfee, A.: The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W.W. Norton & Company, New York (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fitzgerald, M., Kruschwitz, N., Bonnet, D., Welch, M.: Embracing digital technology: a new strategic imperative. MIT Sloan Manage. Rev. 55, 1–12 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Henriette, E., Feki, M., Boughzala, I.: The shape of digital transformation: a systematic literature review. In: MCIS 2015 Proceedings, pp. 431–443 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Klötzer, C., Pflaum, A.: Toward the development of a maturity model for digitalization within the manufacturing industry’s supply chain. In: Proceedings of the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 4210–4219 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Phills, J.A.: Integrating Mission and Strategy for Nonprofit Organizations. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2005)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  6. Nahrkhalaji, S.S., Shafiee, S., Shafiee, M., Hvam, L.: Challenges of Digital Transformation: The Case of the Non-profit Sector. In: IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), Bangkok, pp. 1245–1249. IEEE (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Matt, C., Hess, T., Benlian, A.: Digital transformation strategies. Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng. 57, 339–343 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Huang, H., Umapathy, K.: A preliminary study of information technologies usage in non-profit organizations. In: Twentieth Americas Conference on Information Systems, pp. 1–13 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Laurett, R., Ferreira, J.J.: Strategy in nonprofit organisations: a systematic literature review and agenda for future research. Voluntas 29(5), 881–897 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-017-9933-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Strauss, A., Corbin, J.: Basics of Qualitative Research. SAGE, Newbury Park (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Cabral, S., Mahoney, J.T., McGahan, A.M., Potoski, M.: Value creation and value appropriation in public and nonprofit organizations. Strateg. Manag. J. 40, 465–475 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Vial, G.: Understanding digital transformation: a review and a research agenda. J. Strateg. Inf. Syst. 28, 118–144 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Landrum, N.E.: Advancing the “base of the pyramid” debate. Strateg. Manage. Rev. 1, 1–12 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Maier, F., Meyer, M., Steinbereithner, M.: Nonprofit organizations becoming business-like: a systematic review. Nonprofit Voluntary Sect. Q. 45, 64–86 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Smith, J.N.: The social network?: Nonprofit constituent engagement through social media. J. Nonprofit Public Sect. Mark. 30, 294–316 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Yoo, S.-C., Drumwright, M.: Nonprofit fundraising with virtual reality. Nonprofit Manage. Leadersh. 29, 11–27 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Chui, C.H.-K., Chan, C.H.: The role of technology in reconfiguring volunteer management in nonprofits in Hong Kong: benefits and discontents. Nonprofit Manage. Leadersh. 30, 89–111 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Matavire, R., Brown, I.: Investigating the use of “Grounded Theory” in information systems research. In: Proceedings of the 2008 annual research conference of the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists on IT Research in Developing Countries Riding the Wave of Technology - SAICSIT 2008, Wilderness, South Africa, pp. 139–147. ACM Press (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Glaser, B.G., Strauss, A.L.: Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Routledge, London (2017)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  20. Raman, A.: How do social media, mobility, analytics and cloud computing impact nonprofit organizations? A pluralistic study of information and communication technologies in Indian context. Inf. Tech. Dev. 22, 400–421 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Glaser, B.G.: Theoretical Sensitivity Advances in the Methodology of Grounded Theory. Sociology Press, Mill Valley (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Halaweh, M., Fidler, C., McRobb, S.: Integrating the grounded theory method and case study research methodology within IS research: a possible “road map.” In: ICIS 2008 Proceedings (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Henriette, E., Feki, M., Boughzala, I., et al.: Digital Transformation Challenges. In: Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems (MICS), pp. 1–7 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Machado, C.G., Winroth, M., Carlsson, D., Almström, P., Centerholt, V., Hallin, M.: Industry 4.0 readiness in manufacturing companies: Challenges and enablers towards increased digitalization. Procedia CIRP 81, 1113–1118 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Atouba, Y.C., Shumate, M.D.: Meeting the challenge of effectiveness in nonprofit partnerships: examining the roles of partner selection, trust, and communication. Voluntas 31(2), 301–315 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-019-00143-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Gong, Z., Li, X., Liu, J., Gong, Y.: Machine learning in explaining nonprofit organizations’ participation: a driving factors analysis approach. Neural Comput. Appl. 31(12), 8267–8277 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-018-3858-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Lam, W.F., Nie, L.: Online or offline? Nonprofits’ choice and use of social media in Hong Kong. Voluntas 31(1), 111–128 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-019-00128-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhou, H., Ye, S.: Fundraising in the digital era: legitimacy, social network, and political ties matter in China. VOLUNTAS, 1–14 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-019-00112-9

  29. Earley, S.: The evolving role of the CDO. IT Prof. 19, 64–69 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Nah, F.F.-H., Zuckweiler, K.M., Lau, J.L.-S.: ERP implementation: chief information officers’ perceptions of critical success factors. Int. J. Hum.-Comput. Interact. 16, 5–22 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Vogelsang, K., Liere-Netheler, K., Packmohr, S., Hoppe, U.: Success factors for fostering a digital transformation in manufacturing companies. J. Enterp. Transform. 1–22 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Dufft, N., Kreutter, P., Peters, S., Frieder, O.: Studie-Digitalisierung-in-Non-Profit-Organisationen-.pdf. In: Zukunftsorientiertes Stiftungsmanagement, pp. 105–115. Gabler, Wiesbaden, Germany (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rathi, D., Given, L.M.: Non-profit organizations’ use of tools and technologies for knowledge management: a comparative study. J. Knowl. Manag. 21, 718–740 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Frey, C.B., Osborne, M.A.: The future of employment: how susceptible are jobs to computerisation. Accessed 7 Sept 2013 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bastida, R., Marimon, F., Carreras, L.: Human resource management practices and employee job satisfaction in nonprofit organizations. Ann. Public Coop. Econ. 89, 323–338 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Ihm, J.: Classifying and relating different types of online and offline volunteering. Voluntas 28(1), 400–419 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-016-9826-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Huang, Y., Bortree, D.S., Yang, F., Wang, R.: Encouraging volunteering in nonprofit organizations: the role of organizational inclusion and volunteer need satisfaction. J. Nonprofit Public Sector Market. 32, 147–165 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Gilstrap, C., Minchow-Proffitt, H.: The Ethical frameworks of social media policies among U.S. nonprofit organizations: legal expectations, dialogic prescriptions, and a dialectical model. J. Nonprofit Public Sect. Market. 29, 169–187 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Vogelsang, K., Liere-Netheler, K., Packmohr, S., Hoppe, U.: Barriers to digital transformation in manufacturing: development of a research agenda. In: Proceedings of the 52st Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 4937–4946 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Osnabrück University, 49069, Osnabrück, Germany

    Henning Brink & Kristin Vogelsang

  2. Malmö University, 205 06, Malmö, Sweden

    Sven Packmohr

Authors
  1. Henning Brink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sven Packmohr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kristin Vogelsang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Henning Brink .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania

    Robert Andrei Buchmann

  2. University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy

    Andrea Polini

  3. Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Björn Johansson

  4. University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Dimitris Karagiannis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Brink, H., Packmohr, S., Vogelsang, K. (2020). Fields of Action to Advance the Digital Transformation of NPOs – Development of a Framework. In: Buchmann, R.A., Polini, A., Johansson, B., Karagiannis, D. (eds) Perspectives in Business Informatics Research. BIR 2020. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 398. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61140-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61140-8_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-61139-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-61140-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation