Where Innovation Does a World of Good: Entrepreneurial Orientation and Innovative Outcomes in Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations face uncertain economic times, yet societal demands on them continue to grow. Innovation has been identified as an important capability for long-term success. However, nonprofit innovation has not been widely studied. To better understand how nonprofit organizations can become more innovative, this article integrates theories from the fields of entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and strategic management. We apply a well-established construct, entrepreneurial orientation, and explore the entrepreneurial alignment among three critical actors -- the executive director, board of directors, and key staff members -- to develop a model and propositions. Future research directions and implications for practitioners are discussed.