We are calling for papers that advance the theoretical understanding of factors activating and shaping the changing dynamic between government and the third sector, and the implications of the change for public governance and the sector’s development. We encourage diverse theoretical approaches and methodologies including both qualitative and quantitative research; and also studies with a focus at the individual, organizational or sectoral levels. As we strive to bridge the academic and professional communities in the study and practice of nonprofits and philanthropy, we also welcome proposals for professional exchange sessions by practitioners which address the opportunities and challenges they face amid the changing government-third sector relations. For these practitioner-oriented sessions, innovative modes of presentation and discussion are encouraged; they may be short presentations on case studies to provoke thoughts and discussions, panel discussions of best practices, or provocative talks. Roundtable sessions in which academics and practitioners share their views and experiences of seizing the opportunities and meeting the challenges are also welcomed.

While the conference addresses any elements of government-third sector relations, possible areas of inquiry include (but are not confined to) the following:

The changing government-third sector relations: What explains the different trajectories of development of government-third sector relations in different societies? What are the political, economic, and social factors that shape the landscape and development of the third sector in particular countries?

The third sector and civic engagement: What are the mechanisms through which nonprofits foster or facilitate civic participation in public affairs? How might volunteering impinge upon civic engagement? What are the outcomes and impacts of civic engagement on government-third relations?

Opportunities and challenges for volunteering: What are the contextual factors that shape the magnitude and forms of volunteering? As government-third sector relations evolve, what are the new, emerging types of voluntary actions and volunteers? What are the opportunities and challenges that the changing government-third sector relations have posed to voluntarism?

Institutional innovations: What are pros and cons of different institutional arrangements, such as contracting-out and outsourcing, for engaging nonprofits in public service provision? What are the potentials and limitations of hybrid organizations such as social enterprises and community interest companies which aspire to blend social and economic values? What are the conditions in which hybrid organizations are most effective? What are the major governance challenges for hybrid organizations?

New philanthropic tools: A whole array of novel philanthropic tools have emerged in the last decade, including venture capital, crowd funding, giving circles, and social impact bonds; what are opportunities offered by these new tools, and what are their limitations?

Capacity building for charitable foundations: In the context of collaborative governance, what are the gaps in the competencies of donor foundations (family and corporate)? How can the social impact of collaborative efforts be adequately assessed?

Opportunities and challenges for collaborative governance: What are the factors that hinder or promote cross-sectoral collaboration? What are the opportunities and constraints for philanthropy to participate in collaborative governance? What are the implications of collaborative governance for nonprofit management and philanthropic strategy?

Processes of collaboration: How can actors from different sectors sustain collaborative endeavors? How do they resolve conflicts, make collective choices, and build trust? How do these processes vary across different national and cultural contexts? How do public policies at different jurisdiction levels affect collaboration?

Collaborative leadership: What are the attributes of leadership in collaborative governance? In particular, what are the skills and competencies for nonprofit and philanthropic practitioners to wade through collaborative networks?

Cross-border collaboration: Complex social problems often go beyond jurisdictional boundaries; what are the challenges hindering cross-border collaborative efforts? For philanthropists and non-profit executives who seek to develop international partnerships to attain collective impact, what are the opportunities and challenges they would face? What roles can governments or academic institutions play in facilitating cross-border collaboration?

Information and communications technology (ICT) and nonprofits: What opportunities and challenges does ICT present to nonprofits in service delivery and fund-raising? What are the strategies that nonprofits can adopt to seize the opportunities?

Social media and giving behaviors: Under what conditions does ICT promote more effective giving and voluntary actions? How does ICT enable local associations and groups coordinate voluntary actions to resolve community problems? How do social media affect giving/volunteering as a behavior spread in social networks?

Submission is now closed

Important Notes

1. Abstracts submitted must be original work and in English.
2. Abstracts must not exceed 500 words.
3. Authors will be notified of acceptance via e-mail. If you do not receive any notification by March 15, 2018, please contact Conference Secretariat at arnovaasia@hku.hk.
4. Upon receipt of notification of acceptance, the presenting author(s) must register as a participant by April 16, 2018.
5. Upon acceptance of paper abstract(s), authors should submit their full paper(s) by June 10, 2018. No paper is required for Professional Exchange Sessions.
6. If no registration is received by the captioned deadline in note 4, the abstract will be withdrawn automatically and will not be included in the programme book.