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Outing the Silent Partner: Espousing the Economic Values that Operate in Not-For-Profit Organizations

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Abstract

The tension between organizational values and the operation of aged care as a business is often characterized as the “mission versus margin” dilemma. It is common across the industry in both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. However, in for-profit aged care facilities, there is no question about the intention to make a profit or the purpose of the profits. This is not so clear in not-for-profit aged care organizations. This article explores the tension through the examination of a detailed case study of one of the larger not-for-profit social service organizations—All Saints Christian Care. It analyses the culture and managerial decisions though the lens of the political philosophy value pluralism. Finally, based on the value-plural theory, recommendations are made that would create greater operational transparency in not-for-profit aged care service.

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Notes

  1. The HSU represents all non-nurse employees in the health sector including general staff, administrative staff, personal care assistants, all other domestic staff (laundry, kitchen, housekeeping) and allied health professionals including radiologists, pathologists, physiotherapists, audiologists, and those providing dialysis services. It is affiliated to the Health Services Union of Australia with an estimated national membership of 70,000.

  2. Award modernization is the process of reviewing and streamlining numerous industry and sector awards into one overarching industry based federal award containing minimum wages and conditions for workers in that industry.

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* Denotes a reference which has been changed to disguise the identity of the case study organization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Management Discipline Group, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

    Sarah Kaine & Jenny Green

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  1. Sarah Kaine
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  2. Jenny Green
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Correspondence to Sarah Kaine.

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Kaine, S., Green, J. Outing the Silent Partner: Espousing the Economic Values that Operate in Not-For-Profit Organizations. J Bus Ethics 118, 215–225 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1583-0

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