The Multidimensional Benefits of University Student Volunteering: Psychological Contract, Expectations, and Outcomes

Abstract

Student volunteering has many benefits for students, universities, and nonprofit organizations (NPOs), but research on these from a multistakeholder perspective is scant. Using psychological contract theory, this article compares outcomes to expectations of students, universities, and NPOs, proposing a model of the benefits of volunteering to all three stakeholder groups. Based on a large-scale qualitative research with over 60 interviews in six Australian universities, the article offers an in-depth analysis of student volunteering benefits, surprises (benefits exceeding expectations), and disappointments (unmet expectations) for each stakeholder group. Some of these benefits align with existing literature, while others contribute new knowledge on the outcomes of student volunteering. The results show that training, preparation, and management of expectations have the potential to build positive benefits for all. It concludes with implications for universities and NPOs and directions for future research on student volunteering.

Determinants of social entrepreneurial intention: An alternative model based on social cognitive career theory

“…One study suggested that engaging university students in volunteering activities can enhance the collaboration between students, universities, and NPOs. By volunteering, students not only benefit from the skills and experience acquired through helping others but also develop confidence, a sense of global citizenship, empathy, and a social network (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020). However, prior research indicates that structural constraints (lack of time and awareness) are the major barriers to volunteerism because students generally prefer to spend time studying and socializing instead; hence, educators and volunteer managers should incorporate learning or networking into volunteering programs to reduce this constraint (Gage III & Thapa, 2012).…”

Constructing and Validating Students’ Psychological Contract Violation Scale

“…While psychological contract theory generally refers to work organisations and employee-employer relationships, in recent years, it has been applied by researchers investigating students' expectations of higher education institutions, particularly the psychological contracts of specific sub-populations of students and their expectations concerning their advisors. Sub-populations of students that have been examined include master's and Ph.D. students (Bordia et al, 2010); international students (Bordia et al, 2019); pharmacy students (Spies et al, 2010); student-athletes (Barnhill and Turner, 2015); and student volunteers (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020). Some of these studies were qualitative (Koskina, 2013;Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020), and some used specific quantitative measures to capture the uniqueness of a target population, including the expectations of students learning online (Dziuban et al, 2015).…”

“…Sub-populations of students that have been examined include master's and Ph.D. students (Bordia et al, 2010); international students (Bordia et al, 2019); pharmacy students (Spies et al, 2010); student-athletes (Barnhill and Turner, 2015); and student volunteers (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020). Some of these studies were qualitative (Koskina, 2013;Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020), and some used specific quantitative measures to capture the uniqueness of a target population, including the expectations of students learning online (Dziuban et al, 2015).…”

The Effect of Psychological Contract Combined With Stress and Health on Employees’ Management Behavior

“…It is found that there is a very close relationship between employees' leaving and their psychological contract (Flores et al, 2019). Haski-Leventhal et al (2020) used the psychological contract theory to compare the expectations and results of students, universities and non-profit organizations, and proposed a model of volunteer service benefits for all three stakeholder groups. The results show that training, preparation, and management expectations have the potential to create positive benefits for all (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020).…”

“…Haski-Leventhal et al (2020) used the psychological contract theory to compare the expectations and results of students, universities and non-profit organizations, and proposed a model of volunteer service benefits for all three stakeholder groups. The results show that training, preparation, and management expectations have the potential to create positive benefits for all (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2020). Hong and Kim (2016) studied the impact of psychological contract violation on job satisfaction and turnover intention of catering employees in luxury hotels.…”