Editor In Chief
General Associate Editors
Social Equity Associate Editor
New Voices Associate Editors
Book Reviews Associate Editor
Social Media Associate Editor
Seth Wright, University of Utah
The author(s) declare that there are no conflicts of interest that relate to the research, authorship, or publication of this article.
JPNA publishes research articles from diverse theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary backgrounds that addresses topics related to the affairs and management of public and nonprofit organizations. This includes, but is not limited to, research that addresses state and local government management, nonprofit management, intergovernmental relations, organizational theory and behavior, civic engagement, budgeting and finance, human resources, and ethical issues in public affairs. We especially welcome research articles on social equity and other related topics that are commonly discounted in government and nonprofit affairs scholarship, as well as from international scholars and research on public affairs topics outside the U.S. context. Articles are expected to adhere to scientific standards and, when applicable, provide a discussion of the application of the research to the practice of the discipline. Upon submission, articles are first reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor(s) with content expertise for quality and likelihood of publication. All research articles that pass this initial review will undergo a double-blind peer-review process, with the final decision for publication remaining with the Editor-in-Chief.
The New Voices section provides an outlet for early scholars to refine their work for publication in JPNA through a developmental peer-review process. The goal of this section is to assist pre-tenured faculty and doctoral students as they navigate the peer-review process by ensuring authors receive detailed reviews, editorial guidance, and an enhanced opportunity to revise work from diverse theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary backgrounds with potential to make an important contribution to topics related to the affairs and management of public and nonprofit organizations. This includes, but is not limited to, research that addresses state and local government management, nonprofit management, intergovernmental relations, organizational theory and behavior, civic engagement, budgeting and finance, human resources, and ethical issues in public affairs.
For submissions to this section, the Associate Editor will ensure authors receive productive peer-reviews and will take a developmental approach as editor to guide authors through the peer-review process. While the publication process remains competitive and not all manuscripts will be accepted, the peer-review process in this section takes a more developmental approach to help early scholars share their perspectives with the field.
Articles are expected to adhere to scientific standards and, when applicable, provide a discussion of the application of the research to the practice of the discipline. Upon submission, articles are first reviewed by the Associate Editor for quality and potential for publication. All submissions to this section that pass this initial review will undergo a double blind peer-review process with the final decision for publication remaining with the Editor-in-Chief.
In pursuit of social equity in research and the practice of public and nonprofit management and affairs, JPNA is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion within academic publishing that addresses any number of inequities in the public and nonprofit sectors, as well as topics commonly discounted in government and nonprofit affairs scholarship. As such, JPNA encourages and welcomes research articles dedicated to myriad social equity issues.
In addition, JPNA offers a supplemental, dedicated outlet for this important work under the Social Equity Section to disseminate work on emerging social equity topics more quickly. As a matter of policy, JPNA does not publish unsolicited articles in this section. Rather, pieces that appear in this section are commissioned by the Associate Editor in the form of viewpoint essays, case studies, and other applied research. All submissions to this section are subject to editor-reviewed process rather than the blind peer-reviewed process of research articles (although rare exceptions may exist), with the final decision for publication remaining with the Editor-in-Chief. They should be written so as to inform a broad readership of public and nonprofit managers, practitioners, and researchers.
To express interest in publishing in this section, please send abstracts for consideration to Helen H. Yu, Associate Editor, Social Equity Section, at [email protected].
Books that are well-researched, make an original contribution to the fields of public and nonprofit affairs, and that would have an interest to academics and practitioners will be considered for book reviews. Publishers and authors that are interested in having their books considered for review in JPNA should send a copy of the book to:
Nicole M. Elias
Department of Public Management
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
City University of New York
524 West 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
As a matter of policy, JPNA does not publish unsolicited book reviews. Rather, reviews are commissioned by the Associate Editor for Book Reviews, though JPNA does welcome expressions of interest from individuals who would like to review books. Such an expression of interest should be directed to Nicole M. Elias, Associate Editor for Book Reviews at [email protected].
Most published book reviews are between 1,000 and 1,500 words. They should be written so as to inform a broad readership of public and nonprofit managers, practitioners, and researchers. Specifically, they should explain what the book is about and enable prospective readers to decide whether they would like to read the book. When appropriate, longer reviews and reviews involving multiple books on a single theme may be commissioned. Book reviews undergo an editor-reviewed process with the final decision for publication remaining with the Editor-in-Chief.
CALL FOR PAPERS: Special Issue on Nonprofit Governance:
Featuring Research From Early Career Scholars in Mentoring Partnerships with ARNOVA’s Section on Governance
Abstracts due January 19, 2021
Manuscripts due May 1, 2021
Issue Editors: Dr. Alicia Schatteman, Northern Illinois University [email protected] and Dr. Yvonne Cafik Harrison, University at Buffalo, State University of New York [email protected]
Overview
Dimensions of operations and governance capacity include functions such as strategic planning, management skill development, board/staff relations, organizational culture, board training, routine management practices, and managing facilities. Board members of nonprofits who are sufficiently trained are more engaged in the organization, which improves their overall effectiveness (LeRoux and Wright 2010; Gazley and Nicholson-Crotty 2018; Millesen and Carman 2019). Those engaged in assessments of board performance tend to be clearer about their role and responsibilities in the governance process, which increases perceptions of the value of their contributions and the overall effectiveness of the board and organization. In particular, the practice tends to develop leadership at the governance level, most notably the board as a team (Harrison and Murray, 2015). In addition to the impact of the CEO (Herman and Heimovics, 1996), the style of the board chair as a team leader has also been found to have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the board, CEO, and organization as a whole (Harrison and Murray, 2007; Harrison and Murray, 2012; Harrison, Murray and Cornforth 2013). Nonprofit students and administrators also need to be trained in nonprofit governance to support effective leadership, management, and service delivery (Corbett and Strawser 2020; Bernstein, Aulgur and Freiwirth 2019). Attention to board development, not only contributes to board effectiveness (Harrison and Murray, 2015), it can lead to organizational sustainability and improved financial health (Dula, Nicholson-Crotty and Gazley 2020; Fredette and Bernstein 2019; Harris 2014; Buse, Bernstein and Bilimoria 2016).
ARNOVA’s Section on Governance is particularly interested in supporting governance research by junior (pre-tenure) scholars and doctoral students. The Governance Section will provide mentored manuscript development and assistance to authors chosen to submit full manuscripts.
We invite empirical and/or theoretical papers exploring nonprofit governance from anywhere in the world. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:
Proposal Submission Process and Timeline
Proposals of no more than 500 words should be submitted by 11:59pm ET on January 19, 2021 by email to [email protected]. Proposals should include information on the purpose or aim of the article, a discussion of the methods or approach used, and a discussion of the fit with the symposium topic. Also indicate author name(s), affiliation(s), full contact information, and current status as either doctoral student or tenure-track, pre-tenure faculty. Guest editors will inform authors of decisions on proposals by 11:59pm ET on January 31, 2020. Full papers accepted for development will be due in in the JPNA article submission portal by 11:59pm ET on May 1, 2021 for peer review. Final decision on manuscript acceptance is anticipated by November 1, 2021 with publication in late 2021. Questions should be directed to [email protected].
References
Bernstein, R., Aulgur, J. and Freiwirth, J. 2019. Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Governance: Case Studies for Use in the Classroom and Practitioner Training. The Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership. 9(4). DOI:10.18666/JNEL-2019-V9-I4-10071
Buse, K., Bernstein, R.S. and Bilimoria, D. 2016. The Influence of Board Diversity, Board Diversity Policies and Practices, and Board Inclusion Behaviors on Nonprofit Governance Practices. Journal of Business Ethics. 133-179-191.
Corbett, L. and Strawser, C. 2020. Nonprofit Governance and Leadership for Social Impact in Teaching Nonprofit Management, editors Karabi Bezboruah and Heather Carpenter. Pages 56-73. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Dula, L., Nicholson-Crotty, J. and Gazley, B. 2020. Female leaders and board performance in member-serving nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit Management & Leadership. 30(4): 655-676.
Fredette, C. and Bernstein, R.S. 2019. Ethno-racial Diversity on Nonprofit Boards: A Critical Mass Perspective. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 48(5): 931-952.
Gazley, B. and Nicholson-Crotty, J. 2018. What Drives Good Governance? A Structural Equation Model of Nonprofit Board Performance. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 47(2): 262-285.
Harris, E.E. 2014. The impact of board diversity and expertise in nonprofit performance. Nonprofit Management & Leadership. 25(2): 113-130.
Harrison, Y.D. and Murray, V. 2015. The effect of an online self-assessment tool on nonprofit board performance. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 44(6): 1129-1151.
Harrison, Y. D. and Murray, V. 2007. The best and worst of Board Chairs. Nonprofit Quarterly, Summer 2007, pp. 24-39.
Harrison, Y. D. and Murray, V. 2012. The best and worst of Board Chairs. Nonprofit Quarterly, Winter 2012, pp. 86-91. 24-29.
Harrison, Y. D. and Murray, V. 2012. Perspectives on the leadership of chairs of nonprofit organization boards of directors: A grounded theory mixed-method study. Nonprofit Management & Leadership. 22(4):411-437.
Harrison, Y.D, Murray, V., and Cornforth C. 2013. Perceptions of board chair leadership effectiveness in nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations. Voluntas. 24(3): 688-712.
LeRoux, K. & Wright, N. 2010. Does Performance Measurement Improve Strategic Decision Making? Findings from a National Survey of Nonprofit Social Service Agencies. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 39(4): 571 – 587.
Millesen, J. and Carman, J. 2019. Building Capacity in Nonprofit Boards: Learning from Board Assessments. Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs. 5(1): 74-94.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Seth Wright, University of Utah
JPNA is published by the Midwest Public Affairs Conference (MPAC). MPAC is a professional organization that promotes research, collaboration, and socialization between academics, students, policymakers, and practitioners. MPAC is an American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)-affiliated event that serves the Midwest and Great Plains in a manner similar to the organization’s other regional affiliates, the Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA) and the Southeastern Conference of Public Administration (SECoPA).