Two new studies by the CEPS
As late summer arrives, the CEPS has published two new studies.
In the series CEPS Forschung & Praxis, we have published Volume 22 carrying the title «Gelingender Einsatz von Freiwilligen in der interprofessionellen Versorgung» (in German).
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, the CEPS, together with researchers from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, investigated the question of the contribution of volunteers in interprofessional collaboration in the health sector. The results clearly show that volunteers are an important complement to healthcare professionals. By taking on services that go beyond basic health care services – such as leisure activities or support in everyday life – they make a significant contribution to the well-being of patients. Volunteers also play an important mediating role between patients and health care professionals, thereby making the needs of the former more clearly understood. At the same time, volunteers relieve the workload of the medical staff, which not least increases latter's job satisfaction. In order to achieve these positive effects, it is important, among other things, to have a clear division of roles, a balance between control and freedom for volunteers, and an internal coordination office for volunteers.
In a paper in the scientific journal «Nonprofit Management and Leadership» CEPS researcher put forward the question: Does the managerialization of NPOs lead to mission drift or can it actually improve performance? And what are the causes of managerialization?
The publication answers these questions and explores the impact of isomorphic pressures on managerialism and performance of NPOs. Based on survey data of more than 500 Swiss NPOs, we show that strategic behavior of organizations can positively affect performance while preventing mission drift. Our results also imply that external, coercive pressures (e.g. through regulations) can increase mission drift, if there are no internal processes or strategies in place. The study thereby shows that it does not always have to be either mission or market, but that managerialism can have positive effects on organizational performance.