We are happy to share this Call For Papers (CfP) for a special issue: The implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on nonprofit human service organizations: An international perspective to be published by the Journal Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership and Governance https://www.
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The Covid-19 pandemic is different from any previous crisis we have experienced, because it is global and multidimensional, because its “enemy” is invisible, and because the economic and social implications from this pandemic are profound. For example, in the labor market of most countries, a significant decline has been recorded in the income of employees and self- employed workers, and a dramatic increase in the number of unemployed people. Vulnerable populations were those most impacted by the pandemic, and as a result, the demand for welfare services has been increasing. Consequently, human service agencies are facing the need to deal with financial instability, heavier workloads and absence of employees due to lay- offs, health restrictions and unpaid leaves. This dimension of the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic has been only partially explored in the international context and is the main theme of this special issue.
Crises and emergencies can be an opportunity to re-examine ideologies, worldviews and values, organizational structures and service technologies. They are also an appropriate opportunity to scrutinize the status of organizations in the public sphere and their relationships with other actors, be they governments, collaborating or competing non-profits organizations or the business sector. The special issue would provide a platform for theoretical and empirical articles discussing the mission of Human Service Organizations generally and especially in times of crisis.
We welcome contributions on the following potential topics (among others): The implications of the health, economic and social crisis on the ideology, values, administrative processes and structures in HSOs, relationships between government and HSOs, relationships between HSOs and the business sector, philanthropy’s role in the Covid-19 crisis, HSOs’ preparedness to crisis and emergency, volunteering and volunteers in HSOs during the crisis, patterns of political and civil engagement in times of a crisis, the impact of the crisis on ethnic and gender minorities, mergers in nonprofit HSOs.
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Review Process: Authors should send abstracts of up to 250 words (or other inquiries) to the Guest Editors: Hillel Schmid (hillel.schmid@gmail.com) and Itay Greenspan (itaygree@mail.huji.ac.il). Abstracts will be reviewed on the basis of substance, methodology, originality, acknowledgment of the literature, and relevance to the journal. https://www.
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Timeline:
- Abstract submission to Guest Editors: March 1, 2022
- Reply to authors with invitation to submit a full manuscript: April 1, 2022
- Full paper submission: September 1, 2022. Submissions will be processed and peer-reviewed according to the journal’s guidelines and regular submission procedures.
- Review process: Fall 2022. Reviewers’ comments, recommendations for revisions and decisions will be communicated by the guest editors.
- Expected journal publication: Winter 2023
