Title: Self-assessment of governance bodies and organisational impact in the non-profit sector: the case of a French advocacy organisation

Authors: Guillaume Plaisance

Addresses: Research Institute in Management Science (IRGO EA 4190), Bordeaux University, IAE Bordeaux – IRGO – 35 Avenue Abadie, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Abstract: This article examines the link between self-assessment of governance bodies and the organisational impact of a non-profit organisation in the advocacy sector. It is particularly interested in the case of the Jeunes Agriculteurs, a French organisation that relies on its members to function, as a grassroots volunteer organisation. This research relies on the disciplinary vision of governance. The results confirm the relevance of this view within the governance bodies for understanding organisational impact. The article calls for contextual and contingent reflection, particularly in the application of good governance practices. In addition, this article expands the literature on governance in grassroots volunteer organisations, which has neglected the role of members. The article also proposes to retain the concept of impact to better understand the mission of advocacy NPOs. Finally, this article calls for caution with regard to standards and 'best practices' in NPOs, which are not always appropriate.

Keywords: governance; impact; agency theory; stakeholder theory; non-profit organisation; NPO; contingency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2025.142950

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2025 Vol.24 No.1, pp.74 - 106

Received: 24 Apr 2023
Accepted: 05 Oct 2023
Published online: 02 Dec 2024 *

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