Professor Tracey Coule PhD, MA, BSc (Hons)
Professor
Summary
I am currently Professor of Non-profit Work and Organization in the Department of Management, former Programme Leader of Sheffield Business School's Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and a core member of the pan-university Voluntary Action Research Group (VARG). My current teaching and research activities focus on two areas: research philosophy and methodology, and; organization theory and the pervasive issues of management control, structure, power and decision-making. My research focuses on organizing and managing work in nonprofit organizations and its linkages to wider societal arrangements, supplemented by a strong interest in research philosophy and methodology. Specifically, I focus on two overlapping themes within my research: the marginalisation and prioritisation of different forms and processes of nonprofit governance and organization and the social-political dynamics of state-nonprofit relations in welfare systems.
I served on the editorial board of Voluntary Sector Review, am Research-to-Practice Editor for Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Quarterly (NVSQ) and a Board Member for the EMES international research network. My research has featured in international journals such as NVSQ, Public Administration and Business & Society and I have contributed chapters to books such as Understanding Social Enterprise: Theory and Practice (2011; 2016; 2019) and The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Business and Management Research Methods (2017). I have extensive experience of applied research on nonprofit organizations, governance, organization development, public service innovation, social policy and a passion for policy and practice relevant research, playing major roles in research projects for central government, statutory health bodies and national and local nonprofit organizations.
About
Qualifications
- 2008: PhD Sustainability in Voluntary Organisations: Exploring the dynamics of organisational strategy, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
- 2005: MA Social Science Research Methods, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
- 2001: BA PE & Psychology, York St John University, United Kingdom
Honours and Awards:
Co-editor for forthcoming Symposium in Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Research-to-Practice Editor for Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Elected Member of EMES Board of Directors.
COST independent expert.
Tutor for ARCSA/ARNOVA Emerging African Scholars Programme.
International Society for Third-Sector Research [ISTR] PhD mentor.
Scientific Committee Member, invited speaker and Tutor – EMES International Doctoral Training School.
Twice awarded Sheffield Hallam University Inspirational Research Supervisor.
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly in ‘Top ten cited articles in 2016’.
Campbell Adamson Memorial Prize winner [best overall paper], 13th Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference.
Other
Teaching expertise
- Organisational Behaviour and Organisation Theory
- Post Graduate Research - DBA
- Post Graduate Research - PhD
- PRME
Industry Links
- Contract research
Teaching
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Programme and Course Leadership:
Programme Leader for the Doctorate in Business Administration portfolio (including onsite and 2 international programmes).
Course Leader for the onsite DBA.
Module Leadership:
Contemporary Issues in Organisation and Management (DBA).
Leadership, Management and Organisation Theory (DBA).
Research Design and Execution (MRes).
Research Methods (MSc Change Programme [including MSc Organisation Development and Consultancy; MSc Charity Resource Management; MSc Coaching and Mentoring; MSc Cooperative and Social Enterprise Management].
Teaching Delivery:
Ethics (Level 7 BSc).
Corporate Governance (DBA)
Corporate Governance and Strastegy (MSc Charity Resource Management).
Organization Theory (DBA).
Research philosophies (DBA; MRes).
Research design (DBA; MRes).
Research Methods (MSc HRM; HRD).
Masters dissertation supervision (MSc Charity Resource Management; MSc International HRM; MSc Human Resource Leadership; MSc HRM; MRes).
Research
Respond, recover, reset: The voluntary sector and COVID-19.
Featured Projects
ESRC - Respond, recover, reset: The voluntary sector and COVID-19:
Link 1: https://www.shu.ac.uk/news/all-articles/latest-news/covid-impact-on-voluntary-sector-and-social-enterprises-explored-in-new-study
Link 2: https://cpwop.org.uk/what-we-do/projects-and-publications/covid-19-vcse-organisation-responses/
Lloyds Bank Foundation - The value of small: the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities
Publications
Journal articles
Eikenberry, A.M., Dodge, J., & Coule, T.M. (2023). Critical Scholarship on Global Civil Society: NGO/CSO–Funder Relationships. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 34 (3), 439-441. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-023-00569-9
Dodge, J., Eikenberry, A., & Coule, T. (2021). Illustrating the Value of Critical Methodologies through Third Sector Gender Studies: A Case for Pluralism. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-021-00425-8
Coule, T., Dodge, J., & Eikenberry, A. (2020). Towards a typology of critical nonprofit studies: A literature review. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. http://doi.org/10.1177/0899764020919807
Bennett, E., Coule, T., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Dean, J., & Macmillan, R. (2019). Civil society strategy: A policy review. Voluntary sector review, 10 (2), 213-223. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080519X15617330887624
Coule, T., & Bennett, E. (2018). State-voluntary relations in contemporary welfare systems: New politics or voluntary action as usual? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 47 (4), 139s-158s. http://doi.org/10.1177/0899764018755507
Coule, T., & Dick, P. (2017). Non-conformance with regulatory codes in the non-profit sector: accountability and the discursive coupling of means and ends. Business and Society.
Coule, T.M., & Bennett, E. (2016). Rhetoric, organizational category dynamics and institutional change : a study of the UK Welfare State. Public Administration, 94 (4), 1059-1076. http://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12274
Coule, T.M. (2015). Nonprofit governance and accountability : broadening the theoretical perspective. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 44 (1), 75-97. http://doi.org/10.1177/0899764013503906
Kelly, S.P., Morgan, G.G., & Coule, T.M. (2014). Celebrity altruism: the good, the bad and the ugly in relationships with fundraising charities. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 19 (2), 57-75. http://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.1487
Coule, T. (2013). Theories of knowledge and focus groups in organization and management research. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 8 (2), 148-162. http://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-09-2011-1006
Coule, T. (2013). Institutional logics, institutional work and public service innovation in non-profit organisations. Public Administration, 91 (4), 980-997. http://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12005
Chadwick-Coule, T. (2011). Social dynamics and the strategy process : bridging or creating a divide between trustees and staff? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 40 (1), 33-56. http://doi.org/10.1177/0899764009354646
Conference papers
Coule, T., & Beach, Y. (2016). Transforming the boundaries of project management: A critique of disciplinary assumptions and mental traps. In British Academy of Management. Newcastle: British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference
Beach, Y., & Coule, T. (2016). Socio-political dynamics in the pre-initiation phase of organisational change projects: approaching projects as a contested and negotiated space. Procedia Computer Science, 100, 298-304. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2016.09.159
Coule, T. (2013). Governance in non-profit organizations: accountability for compliance or legitimacy? In British Academy of Management Conference, Liverpool, 10 September 2013 - 12 September 2013. http://conference.bam.ac.uk/BAM2013/htdocs/Papers/contribution303.pdf
Coule, T.M. (2007). Developing strategies for sustainability: implications for governance and accountability. In NCVO/VSSN Researching the voluntary sector conference, University of Warwick, 5 September 2007 - 6 September 2007. http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/uploadedFiles/NCVO/What_we_do/Research/Research_Events/Coule_T_PDF.pdf
Book chapters
Coule, T.M. (2023). Principal–Agent Theory. In Elgar Encyclopedia of Nonprofit Management, Leadership and Governance. (pp. 445-448). Edward Elgar Publishing: http://doi.org/10.4337/9781800880092.ch139
Smith, S., Coule, T.M., & King, D. (2022). Paying the price of 'doing good' in the face of crisis. In COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. (pp. 61-73).
Mendoza, F., Coule, T., & Johnston, A. (2021). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial identity: Beyond stereotypes. In Jones, P., Apostolophous, N., Kakouris, A., Moon, C., Ratten, V., & Walmsley, A. (Eds.) Universities and Entrepreneurship: Meeting the Educational and Social Challenges. (pp. 237-252). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited: http://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-724620210000011015
Coule, T. (2017). Group Methods. In Cassell, C., Cunliffe, A., & Grandy, G. (Eds.) The SAGE handbook of qualitative business and management research methods. Volume two : Methods and Challenges. (pp. 117-132). London: SAGE: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/the-sage-handbook-of-qualitative-business-and-management-research-methods/book259058
Coule, T., & Ridley-Duff, R. (2016). Management Ideologies. In Ridley-Duff, R., & Bull, M. (Eds.) Understanding social enterprise: Theory and practice (2nd edition). (2nd). (pp. 265-288). London: Sage Publications, London
Coule, T. (2016). Governance and human relations. In Understanding social enterprise: Theory and practice (2nd edition). London: Sage Publications, London
Coule, T., & Ridley-Duff, R. (2011). Governance, HRM and employee relations. In Ridley-Duff, R., & Bull, M. (Eds.) Understanding social enterprise: Theory and Practice. (1st). (pp. 172-192). London: Sage Publications, London
Books
Coule, T.M., & Bain, C. (2021). Organizing Logics, Nonprofit Management and Change: Rethinking Power, Persuasion and Authority. (First). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/organizing-logics-nonprofit-management-change-tracey-coule-carole-bain/10.4324/9780429352676
Reports
Coule, T., Patmore, B., & Bennett, E. (2018). The value of small: In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Salford. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-value-of-small-in-depth-research-into-the-distinctive-contribution-value-and-experiences-salford
Dayson, C., Baker, L., Rees, J., Batty, E., Bennett, E., Damm, C., ... Terry, V. (2018). The value of small: in-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in England and Wales : Summary. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-value-of-small-in-depth-research-into-the-distinctive-contribution--summary
Dayson, C., Baker, L., Rees, J., Batty, E., Bennett, E., Damm, C., ... Terry, V. (2018). The value of small: in-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in England and Wales. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-value-of-small-in-depth-research-into-the-distinctive-contribution-value-and-experiences
Dayson, C., Wells, P., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., Pearson, S., Walshaw, A., ... Trinnaman, J. (2011). Sustaining the benefits of capital funding: Final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sustaining-the-benefits-of-capital-funding-final-report
Wells, P., Coule, T., Dayson, C., Morgan, G., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., ... Patmore, B. (2010). Futurebuilders Evaluation: Final Report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/futurebuilders-evaluation-final-report
Wells, P., Coule, T., Dayson, C., Morgan, G., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., ... Patmore, B. (2010). Futurebuilders Evaluation: Final Report Executive Summary. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/futurebuilders-evaluation-final-report-executive-summary
Coule, T., Pearson, S., & Macmillan, R. (2008). Valuing the Voluntary and Community Sector in Rotherham in 2008. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-rotherham-in-2008
Coule, T., Pearson, S., & Macmillan, R. (2008). Valuing the Voluntary and Community Sector in Rotherham in 2008: Summary. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-rotherham-in-2008-summary
Other activities
Competitve Research Award
- 2017: Lloyds Bank Foundation, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
Postgraduate supervision
I have supervised numerous PhD and DBA candidates to successful completion in a broad range of topics (titles below). I welcome further applications from potential candidates wishing to study a broad variety of nonprofit forms of organization and/or their relationship to the state.
The Skilled Coachee: An alternative discourse on coaching. PhD. 2015.
Towards a theory of sustaining change in organisations: A systemic action research. Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). 2015.
The power of ideas: the state-sector relationship in policy and practice. PhD. 2015.
Voluntary sector chargeable support services: A typology of actor worldviews of legitimacy. PhD. 2016.
The role of mindfulness in the development of resilience in entrepreneurs. DBA. 2019.
What influences social entrepreneurs to adopt particular social enterprise structures and why? DBA. 2019.
Working across agency boundaries: A micro-institutional perspective on public service innovation. PhD. 2019.