Corporate volunteering as part of corporate social responsibility is gaining in popularity. So far, research has focused on aspects of motivating corporate volunteers or the link between volunteering and social responsibility. The choice of a non-profit organization that the company will support within the framework of corporate volunteering and the activities that are offered to employees to participate are topics that have only been marginally affected by research. Appropriate cooperation with a non-profit organization and the offer of activities are, however, the key to effective volunteering. The research aim of the empirical survey was to find out how companies select non-profit organizations to support in corporate volunteering. The aim was also to identify corporate volunteering activities and communication channels from the perspective of companies and volunteers. The survey was conducted with two groups of respondents, with companies and volunteers. The questionnaire method was used for data collection. Six hypotheses were defined, two of which were confirmed. The results showed that the choice of non-profit organization and activities influence the wishes of employees. Companies select non-profit organizations primarily based on the subject of their activity and most often use manual...

Many nonprofits seek a volunteer base that includes the experience and maturity of the Silent and Baby Boomer Generations as well as the creativity and advanced technological knowledge of Generations X, Y, and Z. Published literature recommends implementing multigenerational volunteer programs to increase the representation of multiple generations. However, there is no literature providing guidance to create volunteer management practices that simultaneously recruit and retain those generations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of 5 generations of volunteers. The research questions for this phenomenological study addressed perspectives that may contribute to developing generation-based volunteer management practices. The theoretical framework included Mannheim's theory of generations and generational cohort theory, and Strauss-Howe generational theory, which suggest that an individual's generational classification influences his or her experiences of recruitment and retention. Individual interviews were conducted with 20 participants from 5 generations who currently volunteer or have recently volunteered in a nonprofit. Data were coded and categorized for thematic analysis using Moustakas' method. Findings indicated that many of the generational cohorts shared similar experiences in how they prefer to be recruited and retained. However, each cohort expressed a distinct need for generation-specific volunteer management practices. The implications for social change include informing volunteer resource managers of the importance of developing generation-based volunteer management practices, in order to recruit and retain multiple generations of volunteers.

The aim of this study is to investigate personal characteristics of young people of college age participating in the volunteer movement. The study is based on the following hypothesis: at student volunteers expressed personal characteristics such as empathy, values and altruism. The author developed a model of psychological characteristics, important for effective work of students-volunteers, which is based on professionally valuable qualities of helping professionals. The model was complemented on the basis of the results of empirical research and includes a range personal qualities (altruism, empathy, discipline, kindness and security), theoretical knowledge in psychology, medicine and law as well as practical skills (ability to take responsibility, ability to listen and to hear, ability to give first aid and provide psychological support). / Целью данной работы является исследование личностных особенностей молодых людей студенческого возраста, принимающих участие в волонтерском движении. В основу исследования легла следующая гипотеза: у студентов-добровольцев выражены такие личностные характеристики, как эмпатия, ценностные ориентации и альтруизм. Разработана модель психологических характеристик, важных для эффективной деятельности студентов-волонтеров, в основу которой положены профессионально значимые качества специалистов помогающих профессий. Модель дополнена с учетом результатов собственного эмпирического исследования и включает в себя блоки личностных качеств (альтруизм, эмпатию, дисциплинированность, доброту и безопасность), теоретических знаний по психологии, медицине, юриспруденции и практических навыков (умение взять на себя ответственность, умение слушать и слышать, умение оказывать первую помощь и психологическую поддержку).

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<p><em>This thesis applies a Bourdieuian analysis to a qualitative study of volunteerism that focuses on the question of how ‘doing good’ relates to social change overall? - in particular, the ways that social class influences the volunteer experience and the overall culture of volunteerism. I argue that the leading theoretical research models of volunteerism need to recognize the evolving nature of the activity and theorize the influences that are structuring the culture of volunteerism. What emerges is a model of volunteering where motivation is understood as a complex set of factors that are structured by social class identities and volunteering is understood as a form of distinction that can be used to acquire cultural capital. Social class-based ideas, in particular, the values related to the middle class, have become a part of the culture of volunteerism and, in part, create and reproduce the social change/volunteerism paradox. The volunteerism/social change paradox is the idea that volunteerism is often perceived as a social change activity when in many cases it reproduced the status quo. Without a strong activism component to the volunteerism, it is not an inequality challenging activity. </em></p> <p><em>This thesis presents interview and observation data collected with Habitat for Humanity Canada in their two largest programs – the National program (domestic) and the Global Village program (international). By utilizing ideas of class, class distinction and social and cultural capital from Bourdieu’s work, the role of class, the culture of benevolence (or volunteerism) can be explored in a new way. What emerges is a culture of volunteerism that is deeply influenced by middle class values where social change ideas are common but structural change is not – resulting in the volunteer/social change paradox.</em></p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Contemporary global challenges like global warming, rapid urban development, and the current unstable security situation, lead to an increase in large-scale crises (e.g., forest fires) alongside frequent smaller emergencies (e.g., house fires and traffic accidents). The increase in emergencies strains professional response organizations, necessitating additional resources. Civilian volunteers are therefore increasingly being integrated into the response system. The development is mediated by information and communication technologies (ICTs) which enable communication between professional responders (e.g., the municipal rescue services, the emergency medical services, the Public Swedish Answering Point) and citizens. While many studies focus on spontaneous volunteer activities emerging on social media, fewer examine organized volunteerism initiatives at the local emergency response level. Over a decade ago, a municipal rescue service in northern Sweden established an initiative recruiting volunteers as first responders and equipping them with basic response tools. The volunteers undergo training in tasks such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and fire extinguishing. They are dispatched to predefined response tasks using simple ICT applications like SMS lists or mobile apps. This initiative has expanded to other areas due to perceived benefits such as shorter response times and reduced casualties and material damage. The phenomenon can be labelled as an emerging form of ICT-enabled or digitalized co-production of public services. However, previous research indicates a research gap in understanding, describing, and defining this type of co-production. The overall aim of the thesis is to describe how these ICT-enabled initiatives emerge and develop over time and identify the related effects on the response system. This is expected to provide recommendations on how they can be developed and supported. This aim is divided into three specific objectives, where each has been addressed through a research paper: 1- identifying how the existing literature describes ICT-enabled/digitalized volunteerism in large- and small-scale emergencies, 2- identifying how these initiatives emerge and operate, and can be maintained in small-scale emergencies, introducing more systematized knowledge on this concept, 3- initially evaluating the contributions of volunteers in the initiatives. Leaning on a case study approach inspired by action research, a combination of data collection methods has been adopted, e.g., a literature review, interviews, and incident reports filled out by volunteers. For the data analysis, the theoretical lens of ICT-enabled/digitalized co-production of public services has been applied. The first paper is a literature review study that examines digitally enabled volunteering activities in crises and small-scale emergencies. It highlights the prevalence of studies on volunteers using social media for crowdsourcing in crises, often termed digitalized volunteerism which entails virtual and, or physical contributions by volunteers to the response efforts. In contrast, fewer studies focus on volunteers' role in local small-scale emergencies, labelled as "hybrid" ICT-enabled or digitalized coproduction. The term hybrid here refers to the loose affiliation of the volunteers where they collaborate with the rescue services but are not officially associated through binding contracts. Hence, they are in between spontaneous and organized volunteerism. Both volunteering modes support professional response systems and display similar needs for steering, financial support, coordination, and integration of ICT artifacts. However, crises require increased coordination to manage uncertainties, risks, and data overload effectively. The second paper presents three models describing the emergence of hybrid digitalized co-production initiatives in urban and rural areas, as defined in Paper 1, along with how national authorities can support them. These models i.e., Rural, Urban, and National consist of three phases: Recruitment, Response, and Maintenance. Each model exhibits distinct characteristics. In rural areas for example, there is a need for more regular training due to low alerting frequency, and the possibility of using simple dispatch ICTs as cost-effective solutions. Conversely, urban areas have more alerts, necessitating more advanced ICTs, with less emphasis on regular training compared to rural areas. At the macro-level, the national model highlights roles that national actors can play such as facilitating a joint Application Programming Interface (API), joint insurance solutions, and an ICT system that can register incoming and active volunteers. The third paper is an initial evaluation of these initiatives at emergency sites, focusing on ICT-enabled dispatch, estimated response times, tasks performed, and collaboration with professionals, to assess the effects of using volunteers. This approach contrasts with previous studies that took an overall perspective and only used qualitative data. A total of 53 incident reports were collected from volunteers, revealing that volunteers arrived before professionals in twothirds of incidents, contributing to an average gain of 5 minutes. Additionally, volunteers performed a broader range of tasks than previously described, and often continued collaboration with professionals on-site, despite the initial expectation of handing over tasks upon the arrival of professional response actors. Also, comparing this data with the rural model from Paper 2, similarities and differences emerged. For instance, there was a higher number of alerts, and the basic ICTs used for dispatch were deemed insufficient, contrary to the model's perception. The thesis’ scientific contribution is a clearer conception of digitalized co-production of, above all, local emergency response as an emerging phenomenon. In the three papers, the ICT dispatch was identified as central and needs further development to enhance this co-production form. The thesis also sheds light on the need to integrate the initiatives into the official governmental frameworks. Furthermore, the thesis provides a primary understanding of how the concept works on the ground and provides an initial evaluation of the effects. In the practical field, the thesis offers insights into the importance of volunteers as additional resources to the official response systems, highlights challenges, hindrances, and enablers, and suggests potential solutions and improvements. Future work will include a further collection of incident reports for more reliable assessments and complementary interviews with volunteers. Also, the potential role of volunteers in larger crises, for example, as part of civil preparedness, will be further explored. / Samhällsutmaningar, såsom klimatförändring och det nuvarande globala säkerhetsläget leder till en ökning av storskaliga kriser. Samtidigt måste frekventa, mindre olyckor (till exempel bostadsbränder och trafikolyckor) även fortsättningsvis. Stora kriser kräver omedelbar hantering men frekventa olyckor leder också till förlust och skador på liv och egendom. Båda innebär en stor belastning på professionella räddningsaktörer. Ett sätt att hantera utmaningarna är samarbetet med frivilliga aktörer i räddningsinsatser. Utvecklingen av information och kommunikationsteknik (IKT) spelar en central roll här eftersom tekniken underlättar tvåvägskommunikation mellan professionella räddningsaktörer (tex räddningstjänst, ambulanssjukvård och larmoperatörer) och frivilliga aktörer. De flesta studier på området fokuserar på spontanfrivilliga som använder sociala medier för krishantering medan färre studier fokuserar på mer organiserade former av frivillighet på lokal nivå och för mindre olyckor. För mer än 10 år sedan initierade en kommunal räddningstjänst i norra Sverige ett initiativ för att rekrytera civila frivilliga som första insatspersoner. Initiativet innebär att de civila insatspersonerna utbildas för att utföra vissa uppgifter, till exempel hjärt-lungräddning, och släcka mindre bränder. De utrustas med enkel utrustning och larmas ut på vissa typer av olyckor med hjälp av grundläggande IKT som SMSlistor eller specialutvecklade appar. Över tid har initiativet spridit sig till fler områden och alltfler räddningstjänster och nationella myndigheter ser att första insatspersoner kan bidra till kortare responstider, vilket minskar antalet skadade människor och mindre materiell förlust. I litteraturen benämns detta fenomen ibland som en framväxande form av digitaliserad samproduktion av offentliga tjänster. Tidigare studier pekar också på ett kunskapsgap när det gäller att beskriva och konceptualisera sådan samproduktion. Avhandlingens övergripande syfte är att beskriva hur dessa initiativ uppstår och utvecklas över tid och identifiera de relaterade effekterna på räddningssystemet. Detta för att kunna ge rekommendationer om hur initiativen kan utvecklas och stödjas. Avhandlingen består av tre delstudier (artiklar). Artikel 1 identifierar hur den befintliga litteraturen beskriver IKT-aktiverat/digitaliserat frivilligarbete vid stora kriser och mindre lokala olyckor. Artikel 2 beskriver hur initiativ uppstår, fungerar och kan upprätthållas över tid vid mindre olyckor. Artikel 3 utvärderar initialt de civila insatspersonernas bidrag till räddningsinsatser. Avhandlingen genomförs som en fallstudie, inspirerad av aktionsforskning där en kombination av datainsamlingsmetoder använts, till exempel en litteraturöversikt, intervjuer och händelserapporter ifyllda av frivilliga. Teoretiska perspektiv runt IKTaktiverad/ digitaliserad samproduktion av offentliga tjänster tillämpas i dataanalysen. Första artikeln är en litteraturöversikt kring digitaliserad frivillighet i kriser och frekventa olyckor. Den visar att insatser av spontanfrivilliga i kriser och sociala medier som en form av "crowdsourcing" är ett väl diskuterat område. Ibland benämns som "digitaliserad frivillighet" och inkluderar både virtuella och fysiska bidrag från frivilliga responsinsatser. Ett fåtal studier fokuserar på frivilligas bidrag till mindre men samtidigt mer frekventa olyckor. När de gör det kallas konceptet ofta "hybrid" IKT-aktiverad eller digitaliserad samproduktion av räddningsinsatser. Hybrid avser här att insatspersonerna samverkar med den kommunala räddningstjänsten men utan officiellt bindande avtal. Därför befinner de sig någonstans mellan spontant och organiserat frivilligarbete. Båda typerna av frivillighet kan stödja de professionella insatssystemen och har liknande behov av styrning, ekonomiskt stöd, samordning och integration av teknik i de professionella responsssystemen. Stora kriser har dock större behov av koordinering för att hantera osäkerheter, risker och undvika "information overload". Den andra artikeln beskriver de digitaliserade hybrida initiativen definierade i Artikel 1 och hur de kan stödjas. Detta genom tre modeller, där två av modellerna relaterar till lokal nivå och stad respektive landsbygd. Den tredje relaterar till nationellt stöd och styrning. Modellerna inkluderar tre faser: Rekrytering, Respons och Underhåll. Varje modell uppvisar likheter och olikheter. I landsbygdsområden finns till exempel ett behov av mer regelbunden träning på grund av låg utlarmningsfrekvens, och det går att använda enkla IKT-lösningar som kostnadseffektiva alternativ. Å andra sidan har stadsområden fler utlarmningar, vilket kräver mer avancerade IKT-lösningar, men samtidigt mindre regelbunden träning då de civila insatspersonerna får mer erfarenhet. På makronivå identifieras roller och uppfifter som nationella aktörer kan ta, såsom att underlätta ett gemensamt applikationsprogrammeringsgränssnitt (API), erbjuda gemensamma försäkringslösningar och utveckla ett IKT-system som kan registrera inkommande och aktiva insatspersoner. Artikel 3 syftar till att initialt utvärdera hur de digitaliserade initiativen fungerar på skadeplatser genom att fokusera på utlarmning, uppskattade responstider, utförda uppgifter, samarbete med professionella, etc. Med andra ord att initialt titta på initiativens effekter. En händelserapport distribuerades till civila insatspersoner och resulterade i 53 ifyllda rapporter. De visar bland annat att insatspersonerna anlände före professionella i två tredjedelar av insatserna och bidrog till en genomsnittlig tidsvinst på 5 minuter. Dessutom visar resultatet att de civila insatspersonerna utför en större bredd av uppgifter än vad tidigare beskrivits inom initiativen och dessutom ofta fortsätter samarbeta med professionella aktörer när de senare anlänt. De civila insatserpersonerna är även villiga att medverka vid storskaliga kriser. Jämfört med landsbygdsmodellen från Artikel 2 framkom likheter och skillnader. Till exempel var det så pass många larm att de IKT-lösningar som användes för att skicka ut larmen bedömdes som otillräckliga och behöver utvecklas. Detta visar även på att modellen behöver revideras och förfinas. Avhandlingens vetenskapliga bidrag är ökad kunskap om det framväxande fenomenet digitaliserad samproduktion (civila insatspersoner som förstainsatsaktörer) av räddningsinsatser. I alla tre artiklarna identifierades IKT-stödet som centralt och som behöver vidareutvecklas för att upprätthålla och förbättra denna form av samproduktion. Avhandlingen belyser också behovet av nationell koordinering och stöd. Vidare ger avhandlingen en primär förståelse för hur konceptet fungerar i praktiken och en initial utvärdering av effekter av att använda insatspersoner. För praktiker ger avhandlingen kunskap om civila insatsperson som ytterligare resurser till de professionella responssystemen, identifierar utmaningar, hinder och möjliggörare, samt föreslår potentiella lösningar och förbättringar. Framtida arbeten kommer att inkludera ytterligare insamling av händelserapporter för mer tillförlitlig utvärdering och kompletterande intervjuer med insatspersoner. Dessutom kommer den potentiella rollen för civila insatspersoner i större kriser, till exempel som en del av civil beredskap, att utforskas vidare. / <p>Funding agency: The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) through the Centre of Advanced Research in Emergency Response (CARER)</p>

The aim of this study is to describe the corporate volunteerism in the Czech Republic and subsequently define a structured set of ethical principles that should be complied by companies to enhance the ethical standards of corporate volunteerism and its positive impact. The theoretical part introduces the civic and corporate volunteerism, pointing out their legal and content differences and also the environmental non-profit organizations and economic subjects companies. Corporate volunteerism (CV) is defined as a part of the donation, which is a social component of corporate social responsibility (CSR). This study describes CSR as a tool of business ethics and assesses its impact on corporate culture and social work environment in favour of solidarity projects as CV. Based on the experience and study of scientific texts, four models reflecting the company's ethical maturity phase are defined in the practical part of the study. Their names are derived from the context and causes of the launch of CV - models naturally moral, promotional, human resources and employee model. The analysis of models aimed at meeting the objectives of the work, compiling seven ethical principles for CV - principles of real potential, plan and impact, quantity and quality of the target, the benefits of a coordinator´s position, equal access, freedom to make decisions and the principle of truthful communication. The principles are not procedures, however, the principles ask questions and concentrate ethical basis for project of CV. This text is accompanied by an evaluation comment using practical examples (from the institutional, social and individual ethical perspective).

Doctor of Philosophy / Curriculum and Instruction Programs / Steven R. Harbstreit / There has been little research conducted related to the National FFA Alumni Association since its establishment in 1971. The purposes of this study were to determine the demographic characteristics of the membership of the National FFA Alumni Association, determine whether differences exist regarding members’ motivation to join and engage themselves in the local FFA Alumni affiliate, and whether differences exist in members’ loyalty to the FFA Alumni at the national and local levels based on their level of engagement. This descriptive study utilized survey research to accomplish the purpose, assessing the motivational functions for volunteering and measuring loyalty to the local FFA Alumni affiliate and the National FFA Alumni Association. The population of this study was the membership of the National FFA Alumni Association for the 2009-2010 membership year (N = 49,589). A proportional stratified random sample (n = 1,000) was used to identify study participants and ensure representation from the four membership regions of the National FFA Alumni Association. Based on a final usable sample (n = 913), the researcher obtained a final response rate of 43.7% (n = 399). The National FFA Alumni Association is comprised of predominantly white, male, college-educated, actively engaged former FFA members with an average age of 49.6 years. The results of independent sample t-tests indicated a significant difference between male and female members in the importance they place on six motivations for volunteering. Female members were considerably higher in the motivational functions of values, understanding, enhancement, social, career, and protective. A correlation analysis also indicated that age of the respondents played a role in the motivation to volunteer. Older members were less motivated in the areas of career, understanding, values, and enhancement. Paired samples t-tests determined members were significantly more loyal to the local FFA Alumni affiliate than the National FFA Alumni Association. There was also a significant difference in the loyalty of members based on their level of engagement with a local FFA Alumni affiliate with more highly engaged members expressing more loyalty to the association.

This social constructionist study originated from the researcher’s exposure to the counselling volunteers environment. The study aimed to document the voices of three people, constructed as counselling volunteers. The three semi-structured interviews are with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of their role, as volunteers. The “case study approach” was chosen as the most suitable method to gather the information. “Thematic content analysis” was the method of analysis. The case studies of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these case studies were expounded and linked within the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the volunteerism to emerge. Amongst the themes that emerged, the need to help, being a good counsellor and resilience were identified as particularly important areas for future research. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)