Resource Dynamics In The Process Of Formal Voluntary Particiaption: A Case Study Of Friends Of Nature, China
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Date
2010-09
Authors
Diao, Na
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Abstract
Voluntary organisations have become increasingly visible players in social
transforming process of Chinese society. Every year, Chinese people from all walks of
life actively take part in activities of these organisations. They become life force of these
organizations. However, empirical research that examines the process in which
volunteers take part in activities of these organisations- the process of formal voluntary
participation - is less prevalent. In particular, understanding of insights and viewpoints
of Chinese volunteers who work in the voluntary organisations is still limited. Therefore,
knowledge of this topic is valuable for practitioners as well as for the social scientists.
This thesis reports on the study undertaken to elucidate the underlying dynamics
of the process of voluntary participation by employing a resource perspective. This
research attempts (1) to understand volunteers' insights ofthe underling dynamics which
make the process of fom1al voluntary participation sustainable and dynamic; and (2) to
capture the indigenous concepts in the context of vohmtary participation of Chinese
volunteers as they appeared in the case study of a Chinese voltmtary organisation.
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Three fundamental questions which are addressed by this study are: ( 1) Which
types of resources flow in the process of voluntary participation? (2) Bow do the
resources flow in the process of voluntary participation? (3) How important are the
different types of resources and the flow of resources in the process of participation?
To answer these questions a qualitative case study was conducted. Thirty
volunteers who work with an influential Chinese voluntary organisation - Friends of
Nature (FON) - were interviewed to collect their understanding on SlJch process.
Findings of this study showed that a mutual flow of resources between
volunteers and FON were embedded in the process through which volunteers took part
in the activities of FON. Volunteers contributed and gained various kinds of resources.
These resources may include human capital, social capital, cultural capital and financial
capital. In this process, they transformed their potential capacities - the resources - to
actual contributions and also multiplied these resources. This flow of resources was
significant to the smoothness and continuity of their participation. Specifically, resources
which volunteers contributed and gained facilitated the whole process of Yoluntary
participation. A reciprocal relationship was formed through the mutual flow of resources
Evidently such a resource flow which is embedded in the formal voluntary
participation process makes this process sustainable and dynamic. Accordingly, resource
appears to be useful tool in which the process of voluntary participation can be
understood. Based on these findings, it might be appropriate to conceiw fom1al
voluntary participation as a dynamic process which involves a mutual or reciprocal
circulation of resources between volunteers and the organisation. Suggestions based on
these outcomes were offered in this thesis.
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Keywords
Voluntary organisations , of Chinese society.