Are volunteers substitute for paid labor in nonprofit organizations?

Simmons, Walter O.; Emanuele, Rosemarie

doi:10.1016/j.jeconbus.2009.07.005

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…Several recent studies have tackled the question of whether volunteer labor and paid labor are substitutes or complements (Chum et al ; Handy, Mook, and Quarter ; Simmons and Emanuele ; Stine ). Although these studies report mixed results, the mere perception of job vulnerability may have the potential to incite volunteer‐staff conflict.…”

Section: Dynamics Of Volunteer‐staff Interactions: From Satisfaction mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions

Rimes

Nesbit²,

Christensen

et al. 2017

Nonprofit Mgmnt & Ldrshp

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The quality of the relationships between volunteers and paid staff can have far-reaching consequences for organizations that utilize volunteer programs to support service delivery. We utilize a mixed methods case study design to explore volunteer and staff perceptions of their mutual interactions within a large library system in the southeastern United States. We consider which areas of these interactions might be vulnerable to conflict. Our findings suggest that conflict is likely to arise due to communication problems, behavioral or attitudinal issues, perceptions of job vulnerability, divergent expectations, lack of trust, and workflow integration hurdles. We argue that to avoid these tensions and promote effective service delivery, staff members must have appropriate training and preparation to interact successfully with volunteers.VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS key sources of human capital for many organizations in the public and nonprofi t spheres, often working in conjunction with the paid staff in those organizations (Gidron 1985 ). Engaging volunteers requires investments of eff ort, time, training, and fi scal resources so that both organizations and volunteers benefi t. Nancy Macduff ( 2012 , 256) argues that "the relationship between volunteers and staff can infl uence the success or failure of a program … and the ability to make positive organizational changes." As such, a purposive volunteer-staff relationship is critical. Despite the importance of these working relationships, many organizations fall prey to the misperception that volunteers are a source of "free labor" (Handy and Mook 2011 ). Such organizations may inadequately invest in the management of these valuable human resources (Hager and Brudney 2004 ;Machin and Paine 2008 ). Too often, paid employees fi nd themselves inadvertently directing and supervising volunteer labor, rather than being trained and prepared to take on this role (Nesbit et al. 2016 ). Th is situation can be particularly challenging when organizations increase their use of volunteers, such as during times of fi scal constraint when increased reliance on volunteers is often utilized as a strategy to reduce personnel costs (Brudney

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Section: Dynamics Of Volunteer‐staff Interactions: From Satisfaction mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions

Rimes

Nesbit²,

Christensen

et al. 2017

Nonprofit Mgmnt & Ldrshp

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…If this second effect takes place, the workforce mix of an NPO is altered and becomes relatively dominated by less productive workers (without outside options) and volunteers. However, as discussed in the literature (Simmons and Emanuele 2010), we know that low-wage workers, in particular, are prone to a replacement by volunteers. This again could aggravate an increase in the separations rate (SR) through intensified layoffs by NPOs using volunteers.…”

Section: Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The co-production setting in NPOs can lead to tension between paid and unpaid labour. While Brudney and Gazley (2002) find no evidence for an adversarial relationship or a replacement of paid personnel by volunteers, Handy et al (2008) as well as Simmons and Emanuele (2010) address this topic by describing unionized workplaces with provisions in collective agreements that try to protect paid workers against their replacement by unpaid workers, or workplaces preclude volunteer involvement entirely. So the question of a substitution effect on paid employees by volunteers remains thus far unresolved, especially as none of these studies are able to address directly the influence of volunteers on the separations of paid employees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paid and Unpaid Labour in Non‐Profit Organizations: Does the Substitution Effect Exist?

Bittschi

Pennerstorfer

Schneider

2014

Brit J Industrial Rel

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In nonprofit organizations (NPOs) volunteers often work alongside paid workers. Such a coproduction setting can lead to tension between the two worker groups. This paper examines for the first time if and how volunteers influence the separation of paid employees, and thus it contributes to the debate over whether volunteers can substitute paid workers.Using Austrian data on an organizational level we find a significant impact of volunteers on the separations of paid workers in NPOs facing increased competition. These findings support the assumption that a partial substitution effect exists between paid workers and volunteers.JEL-Classification: J21, J23, L31

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“…The coproduction setting in NPOs can lead to tension between paid and unpaid labor. While Brudney and Gazley (2002) find no evidence for an adversarial relationship or a replacement of paid personnel by volunteers, Handy et al (2008) as well as Simmons and Emanuele (2010) address this topic by describing unionized workplaces with provisions in collective agreements that try to protect paid workers against their replacement by unpaid workers, or workplaces preclude volunteer involvement entirely. So the question of a substitution effect on paid employees by volunteers remains thus far unresolved, especially as none of these studies is able to address directly the influence of volunteers on the separations of paid employees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

¿Son los voluntarios un recurso sustitutivo de los trabajadores? Una aproximación desde la economía social aragonesa

Bailón

Pérez-Grueso

Arceiz

2017

REVE

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In nonprofit organizations (NPOs) volunteers often work alongside paid workers. Such a coproduction setting can lead to tension between the two worker groups. This paper examines for the first time if and how volunteers influence the separation of paid employees, and thus it contributes to the debate over whether volunteers can substitute paid workers. Using Austrian data on an organizational level we find a significant impact of volunteers on the separations of paid workers in NPOs facing increased competition. These findings support the assumption that a partial substitution effect exists between paid workers and volunteers.

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Are volunteers substitute for paid labor in nonprofit organizations?

Cited by 13 publications

References 28 publications

Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions

Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions

Paid and Unpaid Labour in Non‐Profit Organizations: Does the Substitution Effect Exist?

¿Son los voluntarios un recurso sustitutivo de los trabajadores? Una aproximación desde la economía social aragonesa

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