The Significance of Structural Innovation for Value Alignment and Social Innovation in Faith-Based Organizations

Reinventing Organizations to Dismantle Power Asymmetries

Bibliographic Data

ID21820904
AuthorsDag-Håkon Eriksen (0000-0002-7629-0142, VID Specialized University), Beate Jelstad Løvaas (0000-0001-6083-905X, VID Specialized University)
Year2022
Volume13
Issue2
Pages167-196
Publication date2022-09-14
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDiaconia (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1869-3261 • E-ISSN: 2196-9027
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.13109/diac.2022.13.2.167
OpenAlexW4391120984
LanguageEN
References cited44

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

Business · Epistemology · Faith · Industrial organization · Innovation Management · Innovation process · Knowledge management · Political science · Public relations · Social innovation · Structural equation modeling · Value creation · Computer Science · Global and Cross-Cultural Management · Religion, Society, and Development · Workplace Spirituality and Leadership · Marketing

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