• Korean System Dynamics Review
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.5-24
• /
• 2007

This study explores the partnership between government and human service nonprofits in the United States from the perspective of resource dependence theory and extends the theory with system dynamics in order to better explain government-nonprofit service delivery. The article is structured as follows. First, I introduce the historical development of the government-nonprofit partnership in service delivery in the United States. Second, I present an overview of resource dependence theory for government-nonprofit service delivery, including assumptions, key elements, claims, how well it explains the government-nonprofit service delivery, and limitations. Third, I highlight the advantages of system dynamics along with the limitations of resource dependence theory, as an attempt to revise the theory. Finally, I conclude with a summary and suggestions for the next steps in theoretical development and research.

• Korean System Dynamics Review
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.199-218
• /
• 2008

Empirical studies have shown that government and human service nonprofit organizations have maintained active partnerships to deliver human services for the past several decades. However, the previous researches on resource dependent government-nonprofit service delivery have revealed serious methodological limitations to adequately demonstrate the dynamic relationship between both sectors over time. Since the dynamics underlying the government-nonprofit service delivery is a complex process, in which multiple factors dynamically interact over time, the assumptions of system dynamics can help improve these methodological drawbacks. This study aims to explore methodological issues and weaknesses observed in empirical studies on resource dependent government-nonprofit service delivery in the United States, and further attempts to provide insights on future research toward a dynamic approach, bringing the assumptions of system dynamics to the challenges of the previous researches.