The investment model of volunteering in the EU-27 countries: volunteering, skills development and employability. A multi-level analysis

Abstract

This article contributes to a better understanding of the social acceptance of the investment model of volunteering, that is, the view that volunteering can enhance employability through the development of professionally relevant knowledge and competences. Based on the analysis of Eurobarometer data, the article explores: (1) the prevalence of the investment model of volunteering in the EU-27 countries and the extent to which this varies between individuals with the potential to make hiring decisions (IHP) and the general population, (2) the demographic factors associated with the acceptance of this model, (3) whether national differences in the acceptance of the model are better explained by variation between countries or cross-national demographic factors and (4) whether national institutional characteristics related to the competitiveness of the national labour market, the specificity of the education system, the strength of the continuing vocational training system and cultural factors influence acceptance. The results show that the acceptance of the investment model of volunteering is relatively widespread in Europe and that variation in the acceptance of the investment model amongst the general population is driven by both individual (age and class) and between-country differences (related to the strength of training for unemployed people), but variation is more attributable to differences between countries than cross-national demographic groups. IHP, on the other hand, tend to be more homogenous in their acceptance of the investment model than the general population.

Feeling connected: qualitative analysis of social and digital inclusion experienced by digital champion volunteers at Newcastle City Library

“…The Digital Inclusion Officer commented on advanced understanding of learner needs displayed by the volunteers, in addition to the positive feedback that came from the workshop attendees. The enhancement of human capital through the acquisition of additional knowledge, skills and competences aligns with the investment model of volunteering (Souto-Otero and Shields, 2016) . Indeed, Vecina and Fernando (2013: p.875) suggest that "helping is more beneficial if it is motivated by pleasure".…”

The Individual Economic Returns to Volunteering in Work Life

“…Regardless of these limitations, our results contribute to important social scientific and public debates about the economic returns to volunteering. In various contexts, including the US, Canada, and Europe, it is widely believed that experience with volunteer work is helpful in terms of career advancement (Handy et al, 2010;Souto-Otero and Shields, 2016). Our results suggest that volunteer work experience can be helpful in terms of career advancement for labour market entrants and people in the early stages of their careers but that it is of no consequence for people with substantial professional labour market experience.…”

“…al. 2010;Souto-Otero and Shields, 2016;Petrovski, Dencker and Holm, 2017). However, due to a lack of suitable longitudinal data for the same individuals over time, this question has been underexplored empirically.…”

A Life Course Approach to Understanding Volunteering Practices Among Ethnic-Racial Minority Immigrants on the US-Mexico Border

“…Specifically, at the micro level, volunteering is known to improve health (mentally and physically), widen social circles, enhance skill development, and advance career prospects. At the macro level, volunteering strengthens community ties and contributes to the socio-economic wellbeing of a broader civil society (e.g., Guiney & Machado, 2018; Holdsworth, 2010; Souto-Otero & Shields, 2016; Williamson et al, 2018). Increased migration flows from around the globe have enriched the cultural (e.g., linguistic characteristics) and racial landscape of the U.S., which has long been known as a nation of immigrants and currently houses approximately one fifth of the world’s total migrants (Batalova et al, 2021; Budiman, 2020).…”