Title: The importance of relationship learning in private-non-profit partnerships: precursors and outcomes

Authors: María Jesús Barroso-Méndez; Clementina Galera-Casquet; Víctor Valero-Amaro

Addresses: Department of Business Management and Sociology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n. 06006 (Badajoz), Spain ' Department of Business Management and Sociology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n. 06006 (Badajoz), Spain ' Department of Business Management and Sociology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n. 06006 (Badajoz), Spain

Abstract: In recent years, there has been growing awareness that the solution of social problems requires the joint action of different actors. In this sense, cross sector social partnerships (CSSPs), particularly, partnerships between businesses and NPO, have become widely adopted by both sectors as mechanisms for working together in order to address complex social issues by combining different rationales but creating value in the collaboration. As a result of it, the majority of the extant literature on private-non-profit partnerships has focused its attention on the discussion of the main determinants that favour collaborative value creation. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of research analysing some key determinants, as for example, a relationship learning process between the partners. Due to this fact, based on the business-to-business literature, the present study is an attempt to contribute to current knowledge about private-non-profit partnerships by conducting an in-depth analysis of relationship learning.

Keywords: private-nonprofit partnerships; corporate social responsibility; CSR; value creation; relationship learning; outcomes; precursors; innovation; cross sector social partnerships; private sector; nonprofit organisations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2016.074469

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2016 Vol.19 No.2, pp.169 - 187

Received: 17 May 2014
Accepted: 09 Aug 2014
Published online: 31 Jan 2016 *

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