Optimization of volunteer labor assignments

Abstract

Labor is a crucial resource in most organizations. In not-for-profit, public, and government services, it is common for labor to include unpaid volunteers. This article demonstrates how the volunteer labor assignment (VLA) problem is markedly different from traditional labor assignment (TLA) problems such as labor scheduling. One core difference pertains to the cost structure of labor, where TLA problems seek to minimize labor costs, yet labor costs for volunteers are usually trivial. Another difference is the assumed size of the labor pool: TLA typically assumes sufficient labor to cover task requirements, whereas the VLA labor pool is limited by the number of volunteers that can be recruited. These and other distinctions coming from the volunteerism literature are described and confirmed with empirical data. One important finding is that volunteers who were not utilized had a reduced propensity to volunteer in the future. These VLA distinctions are incorporated into an integer goal program. Empirical data are used to demonstrate how VLA assumptions produce solutions that are significantly different from solutions coming from TLA assumptions. Sensitivity analysis is described, as are applications in other VLA contexts. #

Logistics Best Practices for Regional Food Systems: A Review

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“…This characteristic distinguishes sport from other cultural events whereby the activity is scripted with a predictable outcome, even if some variability in performance exists every time (for example with theatrical productions or musical events). Spectators may therefore be seen in some respects as both the customers and the suppliers of the sporting experience as they demand and supply the intensity, atmosphere and rivalry which strengthen the core product itself (Sampson andFroehle, 2006, Chadwick, 2011).…”

“…Whilst not examined in any detail, indicators of floor space were used to provide a comparative basis for income and cost performance based on size of facility. In considering capacity in terms of availability and utilization of labour, Sampson (2006) compared volunteer labour with traditional labour assignment and provides examples from the Olympics and community youth soccer. The study finds that the availability of volunteer labour is limited by the number of volunteers that can be recruited and that volunteers that were not utilized had a reduced propensity to volunteer in the future.…”