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The Nonprofit Response to the Migration Crisis: Systems-Theoretic Reflections on the Austrian and Slovak Experiences

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Abstract

The present paper discusses the response of the Austrian and Slovak nonprofits to the recent migration crisis. In both countries, nonprofits delivered crucial problem-solving contributions but faced serious challenges related to scaling up, capacity building, and improving coordination. Drawing on the Luhmannian systems-theoretic approach, the paper argues that these challenges gave a boost to the systemic identity of nonprofits. Triggered by the substantial inflows of public money, the systemic identity explains why nonprofits can successfully operate in the polarized societal environment and develop unique expertise which is valuable to the public sector. At the same time, the systemic identity lowers the responsiveness of nonprofits to the societal environment. The major policy implication is that this responsiveness has to be continually improved through rational discourses and stakeholder dialogues.

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Notes

  1. Source: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb83/eb83_first_en.pdf; http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/STANDARD/surveyKy/2098 (accessed 12.9.2016)

  2. Source: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7203832/3-04032016-AP-EN.pdf/790eba01-381c-4163-bcd2-a54959b99ed6 (accessed 11.9.2016)

  3. Source: http://www.minv.sk/?statistiky-20 (accessed 14.9.2016)

  4. Source: http://dennik.hnonline.sk/slovensko/544357-slovensko-prijalo-149-utecencov-v-iraku-sa-uz-ucili-po-slovensky (accessed 14.9.2016)

  5. Source: http://www.minv.sk/?tlacove-spravy-2&sprava=slovenski-policajti-budu-pomahat-aj-v-macedonsku-misia-v-slovinsku-bude-pokracovat (accessed 14.9.2016)

  6. Source: http://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/371415-vlada-schvalila-pomoc-mimovladkam-kvoli-uteceneckej-krize/ (accessed 11.9.2016)

  7. These financial resources are managed by the Open Society Foundation. Decision on specific grants to NGOs are made by the Council composed of representatives of the “Plea for Humanity” petition, independent experts and representatives of the TIPOS company acting as observers.

  8. Source: http://www.teraz.sk/slovensko/organizacie-pomoc-utecencom/172805-clanok.html (accessed 11.9.2016)

  9. Source: https://www.linkedin.com/company/od-em%C3%B3ci%C3%AD-k-poznaniu---eduma-n.o. (accessed 14.9.2016)

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies, Theodor-Lieser-Str.2, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany

    Vladislav Valentinov

  2. Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, University of Matej Bel, Kuzmányho 1, 974 01, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

    Martina Bolečeková

  3. Department of Public Economics, Masaryk University, Lipová 41a, 60300, Brno, Czech Republic

    Gabriela Vaceková

Authors
  1. Vladislav Valentinov
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  2. Martina Bolečeková
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  3. Gabriela Vaceková
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Correspondence to Vladislav Valentinov.

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Valentinov, V., Bolečeková, M. & Vaceková, G. The Nonprofit Response to the Migration Crisis: Systems-Theoretic Reflections on the Austrian and Slovak Experiences. Syst Pract Action Res 30, 651–661 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-017-9413-z

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