THE ECONOMICS OF THE NON-DISTRIBUTION CONSTRAINT: A CRITICAL REAPPRAISAL.

This paper re-examines the non-distribution constraint as a key structural feature of non-profit organization. It argues that its traditional understanding as a trustworthiness-enhancing device is incomplete. This paper shows that the non-distribution constraint is also a reflection of the directly utility-enhancing character of involvement in non-profit firms for their key stakeholders. This alternative explanation allows one to solve the central puzzle of trustworthiness theory: why doesn't the non-distribution constraint destroy entrepreneurial motivation? Additionally, it helps one to understand the role of the non-distribution constraint in economic theories of non-profit organization that do not rely on trustworthiness theory. Finally, it enables one to logically integrate the different economic theories of non-profit organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]