Opportunity to succeed or freedom to fail in building high-impact nonprofits: The role of internal and external factors in shaping the performance of youth-oriented nonprofit organizations in a transitional society such as Belarus

This dissertation investigates the role of the key factors that shape the performance of youth- oriented nonprofit organizations (YONOs) in a transitional society such as Belarus. The importance of this study is two-fold: First, by assessing the factors that impact the performance of nonprofits, the research provides a road map for nonprofits in general, and those in transitional societies in particular to optimize their resources and maximize their social value; second, the study provides a framework for future investigation of specific factors that shape nonprofit performance. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the role of internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) that impact nonprofits' performance. To investigate these factors, the following research question was posed: What helps and what hinders the performance of YONOs in social service provision in a transitional society? It was predicted that the primary factors that shape YONOs' performance are: Human capital (strength), financial capital (weakness), public relations (opportunity), and public policy (threat). The study leveraged four research methods: SWOT analysis (ascertaining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), follow-up SWOT interviews, semi-structured interviews, and organizational questionnaires. One executive from each organization participated in the study (N=30). It was confirmed that the performance of YONOs is shaped largely by two internal factors: strong human capital and unstable financial capital; and two external factors: underdeveloped public relations and restrictive public policy. Four other factors were not anticipated but emerged as critical from the data: mission (strength), people (weakness), strategy (opportunity), and stereotypes (threat). The implications of this study can help introduce positive change in public consciousness about the role of YONOs in a transitional society such as Belarus, where the role and value of nonprofits is unclear and often misunderstood. This, combined with the revelation of the importance of organizational transparency and accountability, can help not only strengthen an organization's human capital and mitigate its financial risks, but improve its public image and the formation of favorable public policies. In conclusion, the research emphasizes the positive role of nonprofits as legitimate agents of youth socialization as well as important social-service providers for at-risk youth in transitional societies such as Belarus.