Political advocacy or electronic advocacy? The use of electronic techniques by Japanese NPOs for political advocacy purposes

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory paper is to examine how affiliates of a Japanese Social Welfare Corporation, a national nonprofit organization (NPO) which provides services for social improvement, have utilized electronic techniques for advocacy purposes and explores the factors that identify those organizations which are likely to be most successful at adopting this resource.

Design/methodology/approach

The total number of affiliates investigated was 320, representing the entire country. For these affiliates, advocacy was part of their mission statement. A survey was conducted among representatives of these affiliates.

Findings

Three crucial explanatory factors in differentiating those affiliates that adopt new techniques from those that do not were identified. These are: “perceived time spent on government accountability demands,” “use of professionals,” and “perceived effectiveness.” Furthermore, by showing that time spent by nonprofit affiliates on government accountability demands reduces the time available to them for learning how to implement electronic techniques for advocacy purposes, the empirical results suggest that Japanese NPOs are put under pressure by statutory accountability demands and, consequently, their advocacy practice (as one of the most important mission‐based activities within the nonprofit sector) is being jeopardized.

Practical implications

This research will help state and local government policy makers towards a better understanding of their nonprofits so that statutory accountability demands do not longer obstacle nonprofits to enhance their advocacy functions.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies primarily in the fact that it was the first time that this type of research has been conducted on Japanese nonprofits.

Citation

Laratta, R. (2010), "Political advocacy or electronic advocacy? The use of electronic techniques by Japanese NPOs for political advocacy purposes", Journal of Global Responsibility, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 85-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/20412561011039726