Adapting to institutional pressures: The transition of Congrega from a private to a public entity (1898–1919) and its impact on accounting disclosure

Abstract

This research investigates the transformations that Congrega, a prominent Italian charity organisation based in Brescia, faced after shifting its operational model from private to public during the period of 1898–1919. By adopting an institutional theory perspective, the study explores the consequences of institutional, social and economic transformations on Congrega's organisational structure, practices and accounting disclosures. The analysis sheds light on how these changes influenced Congrega's role as a charity giver, its financial revenues, managerial approaches and the level of transparency in its communication processes. The findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamics between institutions, organisational transformations and accounting disclosure, highlighting the complex interplay of external forces in shaping the trajectory of not-for-profit organisations.