Relationships and resources: the isomorphism of nonprofit organizations’ (NPO) self-regulation

Self-regulation emerges as an option in response to government control of the institutional environment of nonprofit organizations (NPOs). While most research focuses on conceptualizing and arguing for self-regulation, this study examines self-regulation through the lens of the institutional perspective by focusing on a specific institutional domain of NPOs in Lebanon. Results indicate that a certain degree of normative isomorphism, through professionalization, has a positive impact on NPOs’ participation in self-regulation while mimetic practices do not yield the same results; coercive isomorphism is not a significant predictor. The results allude to certain implications both for management practices and for scholarly research.