1Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, 2Chongqing University, China
The expanding participation of nonprofits in co-governance signals a paradigm shift in state-society relations, where collaboration has evolved from hierarchical control to interdependent engagement. This paper introduces a conceptual framework that categorizes nonprofit-government interactions along two dimensions: government support and government embeddedness, forming four relationship types: dual embeddedness, pure external support, no support, and pure internal embeddedness. Drawing on stratified probability sampling, we collected data from 4,085 nonprofit staff and managers in Heilongjiang Province, a region illustrating China’s strong-state-weak-society configuration, to explore how these relationships shape nonprofit involvement in community governance.
The findings reveal that internal government embeddedness, especially at the project level, significantly enhances nonprofit participation compared to external support alone. Government support, while necessary, is amplified when nonprofits are deeply integrated into localized, context-specific governance projects, rather than relying on distant organizational frameworks. This indicates that nonprofits are most effective when embedded within tangible, ground-level initiatives, where their proximity to community needs aligns more closely with governance outcomes.
By employing stratified probability sampling, this study ensures a robust representation of various nonprofit-government interactions across different community types, offering a nuanced understanding of how embeddedness functions in diverse settings. The research extends co-governance theory by proposing that vertical state authority and horizontal nonprofit agency interact most productively at the project level, where the flexibility and adaptability of nonprofits can best complement the structure of state involvement.
The policy implications are substantial: prioritizing embedded, project-specific partnerships fosters a more sustainable and responsive model of governance. Aligned with the conference theme, “Regenerating the Commons”, this study demonstrates how localized, historically-informed governance models can catalyze future innovations, offering strategic pathways for enhancing nonprofit engagement and governance in China and beyond.
