Adaptation of board members to repeated failure or success by their organization

Abstract

The views of United Fund board members toward goal setting and goal achievement in their organization are examined. Half of the respondents are from Funds with repeated failures during four years, the other half from Funds with successful records during that time. Within each of the Funds approximately half of the respondents are central members of their boards and half are peripheral members. The data are from mailed questionnaires. Contrasting responses by members in successful and unsuccessful Funds suggest that success prepares the ground for future success, and failure for future failure. Central board members, compared to peripheral members, are more deeply involved in the processes of goal setting and in the consequences of their organizations' performance.