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Reciprocity and volunteering

Author

Listed:
  • Anita Manatschal

    (University of Bern, Switzerland)

  • Markus Freitag

    (University of Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

This paper evaluates whether volunteering is imbued with altruistic or strategic reciprocity. Although scholars have intensively studied the motivations and social norms to volunteer, to date there is no agreement why human beings perform activities in which time is freely given up in order to benefit another person, group or organization. We argue that attitudes towards reciprocity and volunteering are related, but that this relationship becomes only visible if we refine the conceptual framework for both concepts. Using data from the Swiss Volunteering Survey 2009, the empirical results of our Bayesian multilevel models show the following: firstly, individuals exhibiting high levels of altruistic reciprocity are more likely to engage in informal volunteering; secondly, we find a negative relationship between altruist reciprocity and the individual likeliness to do voluntary work within non-solidary associations; thirdly, once individuals opted to engage in formal volunteering, we find that strategic reciprocity is clearly related to voluntary engagement in non-solidary associations. Overall, our conceptual foundation provides a more appropriate model to explain the formation of volunteering.

Suggested Citation

  • Anita Manatschal & Markus Freitag, 2014. "Reciprocity and volunteering," Rationality and Society, , vol. 26(2), pages 208-235, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:26:y:2014:i:2:p:208-235
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463114523715
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andreas Diekmann, 2004. "The Power of Reciprocity," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 48(4), pages 487-505, August.
    2. Andreoni, James, 1990. "Impure Altruism and Donations to Public Goods: A Theory of Warm-Glow Giving?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 100(401), pages 464-477, June.
    3. Lester M. Salamon & S. Wojciech Sokolowski & Megan A. Haddock, 2011. "Measuring The Economic Value Of Volunteer Work Globally: Concepts, Estimates, And A Roadmap To The Future," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 82(3), pages 217-252, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Holger Lengfeld & Jessica Ordemann, 2016. "The long shadow of occupation: Volunteering in retirement," Rationality and Society, , vol. 28(1), pages 3-23, February.
    2. George Mofulu & Ancheng Pan & Pengfei Li, 2016. "Indirect reciprocity: Its antecedents and consequences in social entrepreneuring," Rationality and Society, , vol. 28(1), pages 105-138, February.
    3. Benjamin J. Lough & Willy Oppenheim, 2017. "Revisiting reciprocity in international volunteering," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 17(3), pages 197-213, July.
    4. Ashley Harrell, 2021. "How can I help you? Multiple resource availability promotes generosity with low-value (but not high-value) resources," Rationality and Society, , vol. 33(3), pages 341-362, August.
    5. Beate Fischer & Gunnar Gutsche & Heike Wetzel, 2020. "Who wants to get involved? Determinants of citizens’ willingness to participate in German renewable energy cooperatives," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202027, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    6. Holger Lengfeld & Jessica Ordemann, 2014. "Occupation, Prestige, and Voluntary Work in Retirement: Empirical Evidence from Germany," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 686, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).

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