Competitive dynamics in not-for-profit organizations: evidence from India

This inductive study was conducted to understand the competitive dynamics of not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) in the Indian subcontinent. The analysis aimed to understand the dimensions, characteristics, causalities, influencers and consequences of not-for-profit competition. The narrative inquiry method was applied to understand the competitive dynamics of Indian not-for-profit organizations. Narrations were captured from 112 respondents. Data analysis was performed following the classical grounded theory approach. The study disassociated the cause and intervening condition of NPO competition. The characteristics of the competitive dynamics were captured through competitive aggressiveness. Long-term survival was the cause, while competitive advantages were the intervening conditions of NPO competition. There were three dimensions of NPO competition. The consequences of NPO competition were identified along with the NPOs’ survival strategies.