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After identifying some of the main analytical elements and concepts, I propose applying it in two ways. First, with the illustration of organizations\u2019 self-descriptions, I show how third sector organizations may be analyzed in light of the concepts of self-reference, reflexivity, and reflection to evidence both their operational closure and their structural couplings with other systems. Second, I refer to the self-descriptions of \u201csector\u201d in terms of its self-reflection and semantics as different from other sectors and show that it is a paradoxical heterogeneous unity. I conclude by arguing for the usefulness of this analytical framework to understand contextually the meaning of the third sector in functionally differentiated societies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s11266-014-9469-7","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2014,8,4]],"date-time":"2014-08-04T17:30:32Z","timestamp":1407173432000},"page":"1671-1693","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["Sociological Observations of the Third Sector Through Systems Theory: An Analytical Proposal"],"prefix":"10.1017","volume":"25","author":[{"given":"S\u00edlvia","family":"Ferreira","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]}],"member":"56","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"9469_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.2307\/j.ctt9qgkj4","volume-title":"Partnerships: Machines of possibility","author":"N\u00c5 Andersen","year":"2008","unstructured":"Andersen, N. \u00c5. 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