Nonprofit management context: Continental Europe and Scandinavia

The countries of Continental Europe and Scandinavia differ strongly in terms of the role of the nonprofit sector in the social welfare system and the legal regulation of the nonprofit sector, reflecting long-lasting traditions in fields such as arts and culture, social and health services, or education. Hence, the context for managing nonprofit organizations in these countries presents a rich, divergent picture. In addition, more recent developments, such as the financial crisis, the changes in the political landscape, and reduced state funding, push nonprofits in Western Europe and Scandinavia towards new organizational approaches and management methods. In this chapter, we examine the management context for nonprofits in terms of the socio-economic framework, the composition of the nonprofit sector, the resources, and current trends that influence the development of the sector.