Participation as Fuel for Transformation - An Approach to the Interrelations Between Digitalization, Participation and Values in NPOs

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) differ from profit-oriented organizations not only in their motivation but also in their internal organizational structures as well as in their network embedding. In the implementation of digital structures within an NPO’s very commonly, managerial methods that were developed for for-profit organizations, are applied because of the lack of suitable alternatives. Yet, it is important to respect the organizational and motivational differences, as they have a crucial impact on the success of digital transformation processes. This paper wants to explore the state-of-the-art, both practical and theoretical, how digitalization transformation and organizational value can be brought together and be assessed by a participative approach, and how this can be a success factor in the development of the organization. The research is based on a mixed-methods approach that includes a literature review and an expert workshop with practitioners.