“Mediation” of Community Based Organizations and Common NPOs: From the Point of View of Marketing Network Forming

Abstract

Given that prevailing discussions about “Mediation” of Community Based Organizations and common NPOs, both of which are important constituents of the Marketing Network, are still at an abstract level regarding “Mediation,” this article discusses “Mediation” from the point of view of Marketing Network forming. The characteristics of Community Based Organizations are clarified in comparison with common NPOs as non-profit citizen movement organizations which are detached from particular communities and retain expertise with no differentiation of their official statuses. The discussion, which incorporates the aspect of resources for local management including human, finance, and information, consists of the following three steps: 1) Confirmation of the importance of the “ambiguity of individual’s identity as a player in local management” concept at the citizen level; 2) Clarification of the appropriateness of Local Governments as mediators of Community Based Organizations and NPOs at the organization level; and 3) Proposal of establishment of “Local Community Collaboration Promotion Fund” composed of local citizen’s savings, which are regarded as a “Means for Manifesting Subject Citizens’ Intention or Needs,” with the Fund being available as a leverage for providing public property by mobilizing local resources in the context that the players at both levels mentioned above are not expected to be fully functional.