Open AccessTransformation of Swedish CSOs Using the Strengths of Purpose and Empathy
Author(s) -
Johanna Hallin,
Nathalie Ahlstedt Mantel
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
applied science and innovative research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2474-4980
pISSN - 2474-4972
DOI - 10.22158/asir.v3n4p264
Subject(s) - civil society , transformational leadership , context (archaeology) , public relations , political science , empathy , politics , professionalization , appreciative inquiry , position (finance) , knowledge management , sociology , management , business , psychology , social science , geography , economics , social psychology , computer science , archaeology , law , finance
Civil society organizations in Sweden are facing new challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing context. Demographical changes, a new political climate and a broad professionalization of the sector demand a transformational shift in business. In the project Tailwind, four leading CSOs in Sweden develop new strategies and policies to navigate the new landscape. The project explores the question of how these organizations will have to transform to be able to thrive in the future. Using positive psychology and appreciative inquiry as a method for this piece of research, key insights found include: the CSOs need to draw on the strengths of the organization when strategically developing the operations, to build their operations on empathic meetings with the target group, and to step up to claim an expert position in the public eye, sharing knowledge and insight with decision-makers about the needs of the target group.