A1 Journal article (refereed)
Negotiating autonomy in the public sector and nonprofits “collaborations” in politically contested fields (2023)

Caló, F., Numerato, D., Bontenbal, I., Kourachanis, N., & Scognamiglio, F. (2023). Negotiating autonomy in the public sector and nonprofits “collaborations” in politically contested fields. Governance : An International Journal of Policy Administration and Institutions, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1111/gove.12831

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Caló, Francesca; Numerato, Dino; Bontenbal, Ilona; Kourachanis, Nikos; Scognamiglio, Fulvio

Journal or series: Governance : An International Journal of Policy Administration and Institutions

ISSN: 0952-1895

eISSN: 1468-0491

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 30/10/2023

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Wiley

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gove.12831

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/91942

Publication is parallel published: https://oro.open.ac.uk/93990/

Abstract

Nonprofits are increasingly involved in cross-sectoral collaborations with the public sector. However, we know little about the dynamics behind these collaborations and what happens to them in politically contested fields where actors may have divergent positions. In this article, a multi-country comparison of data gathered from semi-structured interviews (n = 68) with representatives of nonprofits involved in the labor market inclusion of newcomers is presented. Our findings indicate that, in politically contested fields, the possibility of participating in cross-sectoral collaborations (political autonomy) is influenced by nonprofits' financial and ideological autonomy. Welfare models and migration regimes play a fundamental role in shaping the inclusion of these organizations in collaborations, and in most cases, the collaborations are based on latent conflicts. Our article discusses that if the costs of autonomy associated with cross-sectoral collaborations are not offset, the collaboration in a politically contested field becomes a liability for nonprofits (and their beneficiaries).

Keywords: associations (organisations); third sector; public sector; cooperation (general); non-profit corporations; autonomy (societal properties); immigration policy; labour market; immigrants; migrants

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3