Governance solutions in listed companies and not-for-profit organizations

Abstract

This study compares governance practices and structures used in stock exchange listed companies and not-for-profit organizations (NPO). It aims to identify and evaluate how these two groups of organizations develop solutions and define good organizational governance practices and implications for developments of the governance of NPOs. In order to compare governance solutions, a framework was adopted based on five categories, or building blocks, existing in a governance system and addressed in different governance codes. Information was collected from NPO's by-laws and from companies public documents. The comparison helped identify major differences and similarities between governance practices, especially targeting development aspect for NPOs.