Editorial: The Future of Work in Non-profit and Religious Organizations: Current and Future Perspectives and Concerns

Abstract

Non-profits and religious organizations support the state’s public services contributing to mitigate critical situations in developing countries, or to improving the welfare status in developed countries. Despite their unquestionable social role, little is known about the functioning of these organizations from a management point of view. In the past, the survival of these entities has been based on the identification and commitment displayed by some of their members: partners, donors, volunteers or members of religious associations, among others. Recent studies have shown that working in such organizations is very demanding from an emotional point of view, to this we must add workers’ low salaries, the instability of the job position and the extenuating work time. All of this leads to low levels of well-being and higher staff turnover rates. The decreased admission of members in religious organizations together with the reduced capacity of the non-profit organizations to attract and maintain the employees might jeopardize the long-term survival of these entities. Despite this risk, there is a marked resistance to change in the sector that embodies, among other things, an aversion to anything that involves the incorporation of criteria concerning professional management. Indeed, it is believed that professionalism would create a change of style exclusively focused on increasing the productivity, leading, in worst cases, employees to question the principles motivating them to work in a non-profit or religious organization. The challenge in this situation is for professionalization to be respectful toward the mission and charisma moreover to present an opportunity for the employees’ personal growth. Furthermore, technological and digital improvements are expected due to the recent deployment of machines, robots, digital connectivity, and artificial intelligence in the workplace. Non-profit and religious organizations may suffer from technological development; the risk is to decrease the human side, and orientation characterizing these organizations.