No abstract

Non-profitorganizations (NPOs) are generally subjected to less stringent regulatory requirementsthan for-profit organizations. As such, NPOs are generally reluctant to sharemore comprehensive information with the various stakeholders and may notrecognize the need for accountability. The purpose of this study is to examinethe influence of board composition on the level of accountability for NPOs inMalaysia. Board composition and the level of accountability are obtained fromthe content analysis of annual reports of 234 societies registered withRegistrar of Societies in Malaysia for the financial period 2010. The level ofaccountability (ADI) examined is based on two main components, transparency andcompliance while board composition examined in this study consists of boardsize, board professionalism and board members with political connections.Results of this study provide evidence that the overall level of accountabilityis low. This infers that more comprehensive regulatoryrequirements or at the very least, the existence of best practices with regardsto accountability can be a useful mechanism in enhancing the accountability ofNPOs. In addition, theresults also highlight that an optimum mix of board members mattersin ensuring efficient resource strategy and consequently enhance the level ofaccountability in NPOs. Overall,the findings in this study provide useful information to regulators in theircontinuous efforts to improve accountability in the non-profit sector. This inturn can enhance the credibility and sustainability of the NPOs.

In the current challenging economic environment, non-profit organizations (NPOs) are exposed to an array of risks and some of these risks are unique due to the characteristics of the organizations.  Understanding and managing these risks are crucial in ensuring sustainability of the NPOs and the responsibility lies with the board. However, risks management and disclosure of risks in NPOs is less well developed relative to for profit organizations and this may affect boards’ role in enhancing risk management practices of these organizations. As such, this study aims to examine the relationships between certain board characteristics: board competencies, network ties and risk management disclosure practices in NPOs. Information on these variables are obtained from content analysis of annual reports and Financial Information Forms of 219 NPOs registered with Companies Commission of Malaysia for the financial period 2011. Results of this study reveal that the overall extent of risk management disclosure practices is at a moderate level. In addition, only board competencies are significantly positively related to the extent of risk management disclosure practices while network ties are not. This infers that some board members acknowledge the importance of being engaged in risk management decision. However, lack of specific guide on risk management in NPOs may reduce the motivation of some board members to do so. The guidelines and relevant trainings to board members provided by relevant authorities may increase the understanding of key risks and management of these risks as part of good governance in NPOs.

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of organizational characteristics on the extent of disclosures in the annual reports of non-profit organizations (NPO) in Malaysia. Organizational characteristics and the extent of disclosures are obtained from the content analysis of annual reports of 213 NPOs registered with Registrar of Societies in Malaysia for the financial period 2010. This study provides evidence that the overall extent of disclosure is low. Of the organizational characteristics, this study revealed significant positive relationships between size and some types of funds available to the NPOs. The significant positive relationships between certain types of funds and extent of disclosures in some parts of the annual reports indicate selective disclosure strategies by non-profit managers, thus reducing meaningful transparency in the non-profit sector. Nevertheless, it indicates that non-profit managers are using disclosures in annual reports in managing their inter-organizational relationships in ensuring continuous flow of resources to their organisations

Accountability is important in Non-profit Organizations (NPOs) since their key revenue resources are donations and contributions from the public and various parties. This implies that NPOs are accountable to various stakeholders. In Malaysia, the growing number of NPOs shows how important NPOs are in contributing to society in terms of social work. By championing the need of the people through their activities, NPOs enjoy public trust since their goal is to help the people, and not for profit motivation. However, many NPOs are generally reluctant to share more comprehensive information and may not recognize the need for accountability by the NPOs. These problems could be solved if the enforcement and monitoring mechanisms are efficiently practiced. Using content analysis of annual reports and the Financial Information Forms/Borang Maklumat Kewangan (BMK) of 219 societies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM), this study examines the relationship between organizational characteristics and accountability in NPOs. The characteristics of organizational characteristics examined are grants and donations. The resource dependency theory is used to explain the organizational characteristics. The results of this study provide evidence that organizational characteristics are not significantly related to the accountability of NPOs. In relation to the insignificant results for organizational characteristics, it may indicate that nonprofit managers are not using their disclosure effectively to manage interorganizational relationships to ensure the continuous flow of financial and other resources to their organizations. Overall, the findings provide useful information that gives more input to the various regulatory authorities and other relevant stakeholders concerning the accountability disclosure of NPOs in Malaysia.