Mechanisms adopted by social enterprises for effective volunteer-based operations

• Autor(a) principal: Ávila, Liliana
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Amorim, Marlene
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/39903
• topic: Social enterprise; Hybrid organization; Volunteer management; Volunteer-based operations

Purpose – This paper describes an exploratory study aiming to identify the mechanisms adopted by social enterprises for effective operations based on volunteer work. Design/methodology/approach – An inductive multiple case study method was employed addressing three social enterprises whose operations rely on a volunteer workforce. Findings – Volunteer-based operations benefit from the establishment of a formal structure, involving different levels of volunteering complemented with other mechanisms: Educate and train, Empower and Connect. Special attention must be given to first level volunteers, reinforcing the range of practices to motivate and engage them, as they serve as intermediaries between the paid employees and lower-level volunteers. Originality – This study contributes to the literature on social enterprise by identifying a set of mechanisms adopted for effective volunteer-based operations. It also contributes to the literature on volunteer management by addressing an underexplored context. Practical implications – The study provides valuable insights for managers for the implementation of effective operations, building on volunteer work, aiming at the generation of social and economic value. Social implications – Social enterprises, due to their innovative character, are well positioned to mobilize more and more qualified volunteers for a significant change in their communities. Adopting a more strategic and structured approach to volunteer management can enable these organizations to take advantage of it.