* Apologies for multiple postings * CALL FOR PAPERS Business History, Special Edition on not-for-profit financial institutions This special issue of Business History will address financial institutions established and operated on a not-for-profit basis. The term ‘not-for-profit financial institution’ (NFPFI) covers a wide range of organisations, for example: building societies; friendly societies; mutual or co-operative banks; savings banks; community banks; mutual insurers; buildings and loan associations; savings and loan associations; and credit unions. Many NFPFIs sprung from philanthropic or charitable origins, reflecting particular economic or social aims; others adopted the form for commercial reasons later in their history. Yet others emerged from moves for self regulation, as well as the creation of jointly-owned technology platforms such as Link, Cirrus and Tarjeta 6000 in retail payments and Swift in wholesale, cross-border payments. NFPFIs might be thought to be in tune with current times in which the interests of a broad range of stakeholder groups have been given more explicit recognition by many organisations. On the other hand, although NFPFIs continue to be important in many countries, their significance has diminished in others in which they were previously more prominent. Many NFPFIs have merged together, mirroring consolidation among other financial institutions. Some NFPFIs have converted to proprietary corporate form (for example, through the demutualisation of building societies and insurers in Australia and Britain), while some have failed (for example savings and loan associations in the US and the Equitable Life Assurance Company in the UK). Papers are sought that offer theoretical innovations, and/or original empirical analysis relating to the long term development of NFPFIs. We encourage contributions from a range of perspectives, to reflect the organisational and geographical diversity of NFPFIs. Papers may be stand-alone or comparative. The following themes are suggested to indicate the breadth of possible topics: • the historical origins of NFPFIs; • their regulation/self-regulation, including the role of industry bodies/trade associations; • the long-term decline of NFPFIs in many countries and its impact - economic, social, competitive, etc.; • the governance of NFPFIs - failures and successes; • crisis/failure in NFPFIs; • commercial strategy of NFPFIs; • the relative performance of NFPFIs; • the adoption of, and problems, constraints and limitations arising from not-for-profit organisational form/structure; • NFPFIs and the ‘managerial revolution’; • innovation by NFPFIs in services, technology, marketing, organisation etc.; • the role of significant individuals in NFPFIs. The special issue will be edited by Bernardo Bátiz-Lazo (University of Leicester) and Mark Billings (Nottingham University Business School) as guest editors, and John Wilson and Steve Toms as executive editors of the journal. All articles will be between 6,000 and a maximum of 8,000 words, including notes. Proposals of between 1,500 and 3,000 words are invited and should be in the following format: Title Author(s), institution(s), contact details Topic Argument Sources Contribution Notes: use single space, 6 pt after paragraph, New Times Roman, size 11. Please add any references as endnotes and keep them to a minimum. Proposals should be sent to the following e-mail address: specialed_bh@lists.le.ac.uk The timetable for the special issue is as follows: November 2008 Issue Call for Papers 31 March 2009 Deadline for receipt of proposals 15 May 2009 Papers are commissioned 15 December 2009 Deadline for receipt of first draft manuscripts and sent to first round external refereeing 30 April 2010 Distribution of referees’ and editorial reports June/July 2010 One-day workshop – date and venue to be confirmed 01 September 2010 Deadline for submission of second draft manuscripts 15 November 2010 Distribution of referees’ and editorial reports 31 January 2011 Deadline for submission of final revised manuscripts early 2011 Publication (volume 52) Guidance Notes 1. Articles should be based upon original research and/or innovative analysis. 2. The main findings of the research and analysis should not have been published elsewhere. 3. Proposals will be welcome from individuals or teams whose empirical research is already at an advanced stage. 4. The editors expect articles to be theoretically informed and explicitly address novel interpretations of history. 5. Authors who wish to implement social science or managerial instruments of analysis should consider how to adapt them to historical interpretation, explaining change over time rather than the description of static conditions. Authors are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop. It is seen by the editors as a way to create greater cohesion. It will be attended by both guest and executive editors.