ADVANCED MANAGEMENT OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

The Advanced Management of Nonprofit Organizations course belongs to the theoretical and practical Master’s Degree in International Management. The objective of the course is the professionalization of students in the field of international nonprofit management. Therefore, the course is focused on the principles and practices that characterize recent developments in terms of decision-making processes and the humane side of such principles and practices.
Nonprofit organizations are considered from a holistic perspective. In particular, the course analyzes performance, strategy development, risk management, human resource management, marketing, communication, and sustainability issues. Moreover, the course analyzes the field’s human and social aspects, including new hybrid business typologies and related innovations.
The final aim is to allow students to view the management of nonprofit organizations as a profession and a field of study. Therefore, students are considered as both future professionals and scholars, involving them in an open discussion on the humane side of management and the social purposes of nonprofit organizations.

First part: Understanding Nonprofit Organizations and Management
Students should be able to distinguish the main characteristics differentiating nonprofit management from management in other sectors. They should be able to explain and critically analyze the various approaches to the study of nonprofit organizations. In addition, students should know and be able to discuss the implications of the critical terms employed for identifying nonprofit organizations and classifying them correctly. Finally, they should know the main theories that explain the nonprofit sector and apply them to specific case studies proposed during the course and the final exam.

Second part: Governing and Managing Nonprofit Organizations
Students should understand and analyze different typologies of boards and the relationships between the boards and the CEO. In addition to critically analyzing the different leadership styles in nonprofit organizations, they should know the instruments for analyzing performance appropriately and be able to define and plan management strategies. Moreover, students should understand the main applications of HR management, communication, and marketing in nonprofit organizations.

Although the course includes an introductory part in which the fundamentals of nonprofit management are explained, students must already know the general foundations of management.

The course contents are divided into two main parts:

First part: Understanding Nonprofit Organizations and Management
1. Nonprofit management as a profession and a field of study
2. Overview of the Nonprofit sector
3. Theories of the Nonprofit sector and Nonprofit Organizations

Second part: Governing and Managing Nonprofi Organizations
1. Nonprofit governing boards
2. Executive leadership
3. Measuring performance
4. Developing strategy and risk management
5. Managing human resources and volunteers
6. Marketing and communication

Referral book (the relevant sections will be indicated during the course)

Worth, M. J. (2018). Nonprofit Management: Principles and Practice. CQ Press.
(ISBN: 978-1-5063-9686-6)
Chapter 1-10 (Chapter 8 is excluded)

Moreover, some books and scientific articles (optional but recommended) will be provided during the course. Among the books, the most relevant is:

Anheier, H. K. (2014). Nonprofit Organizations: Theory, Management, Policy.
(ISBN: 0–415–31419–4)

The written exam requires students to analyze a limited number of broad-spectrum questions that involve critical reasoning on themes debated during the course. The duration of the exam is two hours.

The course will be delivered in person, and the professor will provide materials through Moodle. Moreover, speeches given by representatives of nonprofit organizations will be scheduled if possible.

English

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development