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The Role of Accountability in Fostering Nonprofit Integrity

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Book cover Integrity in Organizations

Part of the book series: Humanism in Business Series ((HUBUS))

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Abstract

This chapter will explore the special nature of integrity in the nonprofit sector and the key role that accountability plays in its attainment. Unless otherwise noted, the discussion draws from the nonprofit sector in the United States. It is expected, though, that most of the discussion will be widely applicable to all nonprofit organizations. Jeavons (2010, p. 188) describes integrity as the fundamental ethical characteristic of nonprofit organizations. Integrity is defined as “honesty writ large” — continuity between appearance and reality, between intention and action, and between promise and performance in every aspect of the organization. Integrity is critical for nonprofit organizations.

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© 2013 Wolfgang Bielefeld

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Bielefeld, W. (2013). The Role of Accountability in Fostering Nonprofit Integrity. In: Amann, W., Stachowicz-Stanusch, A. (eds) Integrity in Organizations. Humanism in Business Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137280350_9

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