Information system resilience among non-profits: Peak led collaboration as strategy for development

Abstract

Community legal centres (CLCs) are a special type of non-profit in Australia. These communities based organisations have operated in a considerably volatile funding environment. The funding limitations compounded by the relative size, and lightweight administration are a significant source of vulnerability which cannot be reduced by individual organisations. Their key strength is in community, engaging stakeholders and collaborating, which has helped CLCs continue functioning. This paper uses the development of a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) by a peak body to investigate the notion that collaboration as a development strategy improves Information System development resilience. The strategic role of a peak body in relationship to its constituent organisations in the non-profit sector was found to be very important in creating system resilience.