The Benefits and Barriers Associated with the Use of the Internet Within the Non-Profit Sector (original) (raw)

The Internet Adoption by Non-Profit Organisations: An Exploratory Study

2003

During the last few decades, the advances of the new information technologies in general and the adoption of the Internet in particular have attracted the attention of many academics and practitioners. This trend has also been reflected in the increasing number of studies reporting the multiple potentialities and obstacles associa ted with this new technology. However, to date, much of the research undertaken has been mainly focused on for-profit organisations, and less emphasis has been concerned with other organisational contexts, such as the non-profit sector. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study is to analyse the extent to which non-profit organisations are adopting the Internet, how they are using it and with which purpose.

Nonprofit Organizations’ Perceptions and Uses of the Internet

Television & New Media Studies, 2008

This research examines how nonprofit organizations perceive and utilize the internet through the framework of Habermas’s theory of the public sphere. In seven focus groups across the country, 52 people responsible for creating internet strategy and/or web content for nonprofit organizations participated. Claims of sweeping improvements in democratic participation through the internet were not supported. Almost no organiza- tions utilized the technology for horizontal or vertical flows of communication, data communality, interactivity, or engaged participation. Furthermore, these nonprofit organizations believed the internet offered little democratizing power but paradoxically provided instant credibility. Those making communication decisions overwhelmingly performed in technical rather than strategic roles as they pushed their message out to the public without any regard to feedback or communication strategy. These individuals also believed the corporate model would drive future internet growth, although they rarely trained internet workers. Possible reasons for these findings and implications for nonprofit organizations are discussed.

A Theoretical Framework for Strategic Use of the Web among Nonprofit Organizations

2011

The diffusion of advanced Internet-based technologies, in particular the World Wide Web (Web), provides new ways for nonprofits to innovatively and creatively confront the complex challenges faced by their current operating environment. The forces at play include decreased government funding, increased demand for programs and services, decline in civic participation, and increased public demand for greater oversight and accountability. Unfortunately, many nonprofits lack the organizational and technological capacity necessary to exploit the strategic potential of the Web. This phenomenon has been coined the organizational digital dividethe inequalities between organizations in society that can strategically use the Web to support their mission and those that cannot. In order to better understand the factors that contribute to the organizational digital divide, we develop a theoretical framework that explains why some nonprofits can strategically use the Web to advance their mission and goals, while others cannot. We conclude with strategies for bridging the organizational digital divide.

An exploratory study of nonprofit organisations' use of the internet for communications and fundraising

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2016

This research examines how nonprofits use the internet to build public relations and increase charitable giving by analysing the content of the websites of various nonprofit organisations listed in the top 100 NPOs published by The Nonprofit Times. While there is no difference for most variables in the fundraising and communication practices between top tier and bottom tier NPOs divided by total revenue, the differences are found in such variables as campaign summary, messages from the CEO, volunteer opportunities, information sharing, social media use, and annual reports. These findings suggest that certain communication practices (information dissemination, interactive communication, and accountability) are positively associated with the level of fundraising. Compared to the findings of previous research, however, our findings show that the presence of characteristics related to communications and fundraising has increased on NPOs' websites. This indicates that by recognising the importance of the internet, NPOs are increasingly using it as a medium for communications and charitable giving.

The Strategic Use of Information Technology by Nonprofit Organizations: Increasing Capacity and Untapped Potential

Public Administration Review, 2007

How are nonprofits using information technology (IT) to enhance mission-related outcomes and boost organizational performance? In this paper we examine large-scale survey data of nonprofits’ technology planning, acquisition, and implementation to assess the strategic use of IT in these organizations. We further evaluate their strategic technology-use potential through an examination of those IT-related competencies and practices that the literature deems critical for the successful strategic employment of technology resources. We find several promising developments alongside significant deficits in the strategic utilization of IT, especially in the areas of financial sustainability, strategic communications and relationship-building, and collaborations and partnerships. To boost IT’s mission-related impact, nonprofits will have to enhance their organizational capacities in long-term IT planning; budgeting, staffing, and training; performance measurement; Internet and website capabilities; and the vision, support, and involvement of senior management. Accordingly, we end with recommendations for overcoming some of the most pressing challenges.

Institutional and non-institutional influences on information and communication technology adoption and use among nonprofit organizations

Human Communication Research, 2011

In this study, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in New Zealand were surveyed to explore influences on adoption and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). We sought to extend existing research by considering “institutional” influences alongside organizational and environmental features and by examining how institutional forces affect optimal use of ICTs. Findings suggest that NPOs adopting and using ICTs tended to be self-perceived leaders or those who scanned the environment and emulated leaders and tended to have organizational decisionmakers with the expertise to enable adoption and use. Furthermore, optimal fit of ICTs tended to be spurred by institutional forces if accompanied by self-perceived leadership and appropriate organizational resources. Implications for practice and theory are explored.

The driving forces of internet adoption : An empirical examination from the Portuguese non-profit sector

Euromed Journal of Business, 2008

Purpose – This study aims to analyse the driving forces that either favour or inhibit internet adoption by organisations operating in the non-profit sector. Design/methodology/approach – Following a quantitative methodological approach, a national survey was applied to a sample of 392 Portuguese non-profit organisations to empirically test the proposed conceptual model. Logistic regression, which enables to test models to predict

In Search of Utopia: An Analysis of Non-profit Webpages

Information, Communication & Society, 2007

This research explores the practical application of a widely held, utopian belief that the Internet remains a strong democratizing tool because of its inherent interactive capabilities. Through an analysis of 70 non-profit web pages, this study examines how these organizations utilize the Internet as a deliberative public sphere; an opportunity for activism; an avenue for advertising and fundraising revenue; a space for marginalized voices; an interconnected, instantaneous portal for information; and as a medium to bolster organizational accountability. This represents fundamental baseline research that is needed if the field is to build theories of Internet efficacy – particularly as it pertains to the non-profit sector.

Use of Technology in Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) for Knowledge Management

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS / Actes du congrès annuel de l'ACSI

This paper explores results of a survey that documented tools and technologies used to manage knowledge in Canadian non-profit organizations (NPOs). Findings demonstrate that NPOs, across various types of organizations, use both non-computer (e.g., print documents) and computer-based solutions to manage knowledge. Examples of tools/technologies used include donor management software, email-based systems for communication and marketing, and some specific tools relevant to their areas of operations. Cet article explore les résultats d'une enquête qui a documenté les outils et les technologies utilisés pour gérer les connaissances dans les organisations canadiennes sans but lucratif (OSBL). Les résultats démontrent que les différents types d’OSBL utilisent à la fois des solutions informatiques et non-informatiques (par exemple, des documents imprimés) pour gérer les connaissances. Les outils / technologies utilisées comprennent des logiciels de gestion des donateurs, des systèmes b...