Conversion from a non-profit to for-profit organization : case: Couchsurfing
Pogrebniak, Anna (2016)
Pogrebniak, Anna
Lahden ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016112417382
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016112417382
Tiivistelmä
Sharing economy has changed the way we consume, encouraging us to redistribute unused assets. Development of the Internet allowed creating platforms, engaging the exchange of goods and networks. As consumers want to exchange not only for financial profit, such services as Couchsurfing started to appear, engaging developing networks with the common interests and spending quality time. The aim of this thesis is to research how non-profit and for-profit communities compare and how conversion from non-profit to for-profit organisation influences the community itself. The final goal is to acknowledge which challenges the case company came across during the conversion process, as well as to study how its virtual community operated before and after.
The author proceeds with inductive reasoning, using qualitative and quantitative methodology. Secondary data includes peer-reviewed literature and articles. Primary data is presented by the interviews and two questionnaires, conducted before and after the theoretical research. The researcher uses the case study as the main research method. The results are analysed together, highlighting the former and current issues of the community.
The thesis concludes that despite several issues, Couchsurfing community is developing under the management of self-proclaimed volunteers but the services lack organized management and cooperation between activists and the actual company management board. The conclusion states that focus on trust between the members and the company, as well as members themselves is essential in managing the virtual community.
The author proceeds with inductive reasoning, using qualitative and quantitative methodology. Secondary data includes peer-reviewed literature and articles. Primary data is presented by the interviews and two questionnaires, conducted before and after the theoretical research. The researcher uses the case study as the main research method. The results are analysed together, highlighting the former and current issues of the community.
The thesis concludes that despite several issues, Couchsurfing community is developing under the management of self-proclaimed volunteers but the services lack organized management and cooperation between activists and the actual company management board. The conclusion states that focus on trust between the members and the company, as well as members themselves is essential in managing the virtual community.