How do International Volunteering Characteristics Influence Outcomes? Perspectives from Partner Organizations

Abstract

This study examines how different types of international volunteering influence common program outcomes such as building organizational capacity, developing international relationships, and performing manual labor. Survey responses were collected from 288 development-oriented volunteer partner organizations operating in 68 countries. Data on the duration of volunteer service, the volunteers' skill levels, and other variables were used to develop a rough typology of international volunteering. Binary logistic regression models then assessed differences in outcomes across five volunteering types. Findings suggest that future research needs to be more precise about how the nuances and complexity of diverse forms of international volunteering influence outcomes.

Scholar/practitioner research in international development volunteering: benefits, challenges and future opportunities

“…So far, the literature makes few distinctions between Southern-and Northern-based academics and practitioners, nor are the needs of large or small INGOs or local NGOs specifically considered in discussions of collaborations with Northern-and Southern-based academics. The research on scholar/practitioner collaboration can also learn from the IDV literature that has emphasised reciprocity and exchange (Lough and Tiessen 2018). Ensuring IDV practice, research and scholarship avoid the perpetuation of neocolonial relationships, decentralised decision-making and increased collaborative partnerships with Southern partners is imperative for mutuality of exchange (Lough 2015).…”

“…Opportunities to participate in IDV have grown in scale and scope and include various programme models including short-2 , medium-, and long-term options (Lough and Tiessen 2018). Research on IDV has also expanded to cover diverse themes, including wide-ranging examples of volunteer abroad options, and the impacts of these programmes on the participants and receiving organisations and communities (Lough and Tiessen 2018).…”

“…Opportunities to participate in IDV have grown in scale and scope and include various programme models including short-2 , medium-, and long-term options (Lough and Tiessen 2018). Research on IDV has also expanded to cover diverse themes, including wide-ranging examples of volunteer abroad options, and the impacts of these programmes on the participants and receiving organisations and communities (Lough and Tiessen 2018). As this body of scholarship grows, significant gaps remain in our understanding of who is involved in the collection, analysis and dissemination of this research; the challenges and opportunities for improved research collaborations to facilitate improved knowledge development of IDV; and how to achieve strategic impacts in partner countries in the Global South.…”

“…Second, scholarly communities often publish their work in subscriptionbased journals that are not accessible to practitioners. These barriers ultimately result in poor communication of findings and limited opportunities for sharing knowledge (Lough and Tiessen 2018).…”

Health Volunteers Overseas: A Model for Ethical and Effective Short-Term Global Health Training in Low-Resource Countries

“…A growing body of academic literature addresses guidelines for ethical global health engagement, but there is little consensus on standards and scant evidence of the benefits and potential harms of the engagement efforts on host institutions and communities 2 . Additionally, much of the existing literature centers on the perspectives of “sending” institutions and clinicians, rather than the viewpoints and priorities of “host” institutions and practitioners 3 …”