Benefits from the cooperation of non-governmental organizations with enterprises and durability of cooperation

Summary The article attempts to determine the benefits that are the basis for permanent business cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These benefits are presented on the basis of literature, analyzed case studies and from the point of view of business representatives and non-governmental organizations who shared their practical experience in this field with the authors of the article. On the one hand, enterprises and NGOs often operate in both geographic and market proximity in a microeconomic environment. Therefore, they can direct their activities to similar recipients of the micro environment. They deal with the same local community and its problems as well as with decisions of local self-governments. Both types of organizations are also affected by similar macroeconomic conditions supporting or limiting intersectoral cooperation. On the other hand, the discussed organizations differ in terms of goals and approaches to managing an organization. Enteprises engage in social issues in order to be able to achieve business goals (e.g. image building, establishing better relations with the social environment, acquiring new markets). In order to survive and achieve social goals, NGOs must acquire competences specific to enterprises (e.g. management, organizational and communication skills, etc.). There is therefore space for establishing cooperation between enterprises and NGOs because these organizations can offer each other the desired benefits through exchange, increasing their competitive position (enterprises) and the possibility of achieving statutory goals (NGOs).