Gender representation and organizational size: examining opportunities for members’ involvement in membership organizations

Abstract

Members are the most important stakeholders in membership organizations; their involvement can enhance organizational effectiveness, accountability, and legitimacy. Previous literature, however, has primarily explored these concepts by focusing on staff involvement or client participation. This paper examines the determinants of members’ involvement in membership organizations using cross-sectional data from Lebanese membership organizations. Primary findings suggest that members’ involvement is affected by the gender of leadership, internal fiscal capacity, and the size of the organization; small organizations, those led by women, and organizations with greater internal fiscal capacity are more likely to have greater participation by members.