The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>

Abstract The growing literature on innovation in nonprofit and faith-based organizations (FBO) has focused more on what fosters innovation than what happens after the innovation has been introduced. This research explores the significance of structural innovations for equality in two global FBOs eng...

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Main Authors: Dag-Håkon Eriksen, Beate Jelstad Løvaas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Verlage 2022-09-01
Series:Diaconia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.vr-elibrary.de/doi/10.13109/diac.2022.13.2.167
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author Dag-Håkon Eriksen
Beate Jelstad Løvaas
author_facet Dag-Håkon Eriksen
Beate Jelstad Løvaas
author_sort Dag-Håkon Eriksen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The growing literature on innovation in nonprofit and faith-based organizations (FBO) has focused more on what fosters innovation than what happens after the innovation has been introduced. This research explores the significance of structural innovations for equality in two global FBOs engaged in international missions and diaconia. These innovations were motivated by their values and consisted of reinventing Western FBOs as global coalitions where former partners in the Global South became full members with an equal voice and vote. This collective case study draws on analyses from interviews, observations, participatory reflection in focus groups, and document studies to show how these value-driven structural innovations that aimed at dismantling power asymmetries have initiated value-related outcomes such as identity processes and practices, thus aligning with the organizations’ ultimate goals and values. They also enhanced learning and innovative capabilities, leading to other types of social innovations and enhanced performance. This study highlights the significance of value-driven structural innovation for FBOs in making a social impact according to their values and for their long-term organizational survival. Based on our findings, we discuss practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.
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spelling doaj.art-4d06a9f558e64962801cf0e7b9ac3d3d2024-01-22T13:48:58ZengVandenhoeck & Ruprecht VerlageDiaconia1869-32612196-90272022-09-0113216719610.13109/diac.2022.13.2.167The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>Dag-Håkon Eriksen0Beate Jelstad Løvaas1Centre of Diaconia and Professional Practice Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences VID Specialized University Oslo/Norway NorwayCentre of Diaconia and Professional Practice Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences VID Specialized University Oslo/Norway NorwayAbstract The growing literature on innovation in nonprofit and faith-based organizations (FBO) has focused more on what fosters innovation than what happens after the innovation has been introduced. This research explores the significance of structural innovations for equality in two global FBOs engaged in international missions and diaconia. These innovations were motivated by their values and consisted of reinventing Western FBOs as global coalitions where former partners in the Global South became full members with an equal voice and vote. This collective case study draws on analyses from interviews, observations, participatory reflection in focus groups, and document studies to show how these value-driven structural innovations that aimed at dismantling power asymmetries have initiated value-related outcomes such as identity processes and practices, thus aligning with the organizations’ ultimate goals and values. They also enhanced learning and innovative capabilities, leading to other types of social innovations and enhanced performance. This study highlights the significance of value-driven structural innovation for FBOs in making a social impact according to their values and for their long-term organizational survival. Based on our findings, we discuss practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.https://www.vr-elibrary.de/doi/10.13109/diac.2022.13.2.167structural innovationorganizational innovationinnovative capacityfaith-based organizationsvaluessocial innovation
spellingShingle Dag-Håkon Eriksen
Beate Jelstad Løvaas
The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>
Diaconia
structural innovation
organizational innovation
innovative capacity
faith-based organizations
values
social innovation
title The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>
title_full The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>
title_fullStr The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>
title_full_unstemmed The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>
title_short The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations: <subtitle>Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries</subtitle>
title_sort significance of structural innovation for value alignment and social innovation in faith based organizations subtitle reinventing organizations to dismantle power asymmetries subtitle
topic structural innovation
organizational innovation
innovative capacity
faith-based organizations
values
social innovation
url https://www.vr-elibrary.de/doi/10.13109/diac.2022.13.2.167
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