Nonprofit Alliance in China: Effects of Alliance Process on Goal Achievement

Nonprofit alliances have characterized the dynamic of nonprofit sector over the past three decades. While much scholarly attention has focused on formation and outcome of alliances, less is known about process of alliances in emerging nonprofits in developing countries. Using 11 cases of nonprofit alliances in Ya'an earthquake in China in 2013, this study examined the connection between process and outcome of alliances. Our research demonstrates that process of nonprofit alliances plays an important role in goal achievement of the alliance. Specifically, resource distribution and trust building are the two critical process factors. The results indicate that the process factors change dynamically along with the process of the alliance, and that the synergy of the process factors facilitated the fulfillment of alliance goals in emerging nonprofits.