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Organizational Structure and Innovation in U.K. Voluntary Social Welfare Organizations: Applying the Aston Measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Stephen P. Osborne
Stephen P. Osborne*
Affiliation:
Voluntary and Non-profit Research Unit, Public Services Management Group, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
*
2Correspondence should be directed to Dr. Stephen P. Osborne, Voluntary and Non-profit Research Unit, Public Services Management Group, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, U.K.; e-mail: s.p.osbome@aston.ac.uk.
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Abstract

This paper discusses the methodological issues involved in assessing the impact of organizational structure upon the innovative capacity of voluntary organizations. It reports the use of a specific methodological tool—the Aston measures—as an approach to these issues. In addition to the empirical findings reported, this paper argues for these measures as a useful addition to the methodological tool kit of voluntary sector researchers.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article traite des questions d’ordre méthodologique, qui se posent lorsqu’il s’agit de mesurer l’impact de la structure organisationnelle sur la capacité d’innovation des associations. Il propose l’utilisation d’un instrument méthodologique particulier—les mesures Aston—comme moyen de réponse à ces questions. Cet article rend non seulement compte des résultats empiriques, mais défend également l’idée selon laquelle ces mesures complètent de façon utile la boîte à outil méthodologique des chercheurs qui travaillent sur le secteur sans but lucratif.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

In diesem Aufsatz werden die methodologischen Probleme, die bei der Beurteilung der Wirkung der Organisationsstruktur auf die innovative Kapazität von Nonprofitorganisationen auftreten, diskutiert. Dabei wird ein spezifisches methodologisches Instrument—die Aston-Maße—als Zugang zur Problematik angewendet. Zusätzlich zu den berichteten empirischen Ergebnissen wird argumentiert, daß diese Maße eine nützliche Ergänzung des methodologischen Werkzeugkastens zur Erforschung des Nonprofitsektors darstellen.

Resumen

Resumen

Este escrito estudia las cuestiones metodológicas que conlleva la evaluación del impacto de la estructura organizativa en la capacidad innovativa de las organizaciones voluntarias. Informa sobre el uso de un instrumento metodológico especifico—el Plan Aston—como una forma de enfocar estas cuestiones. Además de los resultados empíricos reseñados, este escrito aboga por dicho Plan como un suplemento útil para el conjunto de instrumentos metodológicos de que disponen los investigadores del sector voluntario.

Keywords

research methodologyorganizational structureinnovationAston measures

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations , Volume 9 , Issue 4 , December 1998 , pp. 345 - 362
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 International Society for Third-Sector Research and The Johns Hopkins University

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