Chair: Micheal L. Shier, University of Toronto

Organization and leadership development in human service nonprofits

This panel presentation reports on research conducted and in progress related to the development of organizational environments and leadership orientations within nonprofit human service organizations.

Exploring the Relationship Between Organizational Characteristics and Service User Experiences of Oppression
Susan Ramsundarsingh, University of Toronto

Social service users of nonprofit organizations regularly experience oppression when accessing and utilizing services. This study identifies the effect of key organizational dynamics (e.g. inclusion and accessibility, supervision, cultural competency, etc.) on service user experiences with five forms of oppression (i.e. marginalization, exploitation, violence, cultural imperialism, and powerlessness). Using structural equation modelling, organizational environment latent variables are used to predict experiences of oppression outcomes. Results demonstrate the significant effect of staff-client relational aspects within the organization on experiences of oppression. Furthermore, results support an empirical model for assessing the extent to which an organization is anti-oppressive.

Identifying Factors and Characteristics of Social Entrepreneurial Orientation in Community-based Nonprofits
Aaron Turpin, University of Toronto

This presentation reports on an ongoing study to assess the characteristics of a social entrepreneurial orientation within community based human service nonprofits. The presentation will highlight the measurement model developed to assess these key characteristics, which include social innovation, market orientation, risk taking, and proactiveness. The study aims to identify the impact of these characteristics within the organization and its leadership on organizational outcomes of collective efficacy, branding, and competitive strategy, and to provide reliable and valid assessment tool for a social entrepreneurial orientation within human service nonprofits.

Supporting Ethical and Sustainable Social Innovations: A Scoping Review
Trish Lenz, University of Toronto

Sustainable and ethical social innovation is an important outcome to support a greater impact of efforts undertaken by nonprofit organizations. This study is a first stage of a research project aimed at assessing the characteristics of sustainable social innovation. It utilizes a scoping literature review methodology to assess existing knowledge and to develop a measurement model for assessing these characteristics within the broader network and public policy landscape of nonprofit organizations.

Trauma Informed Organizational Dynamics and Client Intrapersonal Development Outcomes in Direct Service Nonprofits
Micheal L. Shier, University of Toronto

Creating trauma informed organizational environments is an emerging focus of human service organizational development, amidst some evidence suggesting a link between service user outcomes and trauma informed practice. Utilizing a mixed methodological approach, this research developed a conceptual and empirical model to assess the extent to which service users experience key facets of a trauma informed practice framework.