The Theories of Non-profits: A Reality Check from Slovakia

Authors

  • Mária Murray Svidroňová Matej Bel University, Faculty of Economics, Tajovskeho 10, 97401 Banská Bystrica
  • Gabriela Vaceková Masaryk University, Faculty of Economics and Administration, Lipová 41a, 602 00 Brno
  • Vladislav Valentinov Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies, Theodor-Lieser-Str 2, 06120, Halle

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4335/14.3.399-418(2016)

Keywords:

non-profit sector. Slovakia. Societal values. Functional systems.

Abstract

The goal of the paper is to analyze the economic determinants of the non-profit sector in Slovakia. In contrast to the neoclassical market failure approach, we build on the institutionalist and systems-theoretic framework that draws attention to the shortcomings of the dominant institutional structures of the private for-profit and public sectors. Utilizing a representative survey of 60 nonprofits, we identify their key characteristics and single out the “supply-side” and “interdependence” theories as their most useful explanations. These results accentuate the role of nonprofits in realizing societal values, while taking account of institutional complementarities, regional variations, and legal peculiarities.

Author Biographies

  • Assistant Professor
  • Assistant Professor
  • Research Associate

References

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Published

2016-07-31

Issue

Section

Conference Paper (Annual Conference 2020)