INTRA-ORGANIZATIONAL VOLUNTEERISM: GOOD SOLDIER, GOOD DEED, AND GOOD POLITICS*

JOHN PELOZA

DEREK N. HASSAY

Despite the millions of hours donated to charity by employees on behalf of their employers, there has been relatively little research into the motives for such prosocial behavior. The current article explores intra-organizational, or employer-sanctioned, volunteerism by drawing upon two previously disparate literatures: charity support behavior (CSB) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Qualitative research finds that employees are motivated to participate in intra-organizational volunteer programs for charity, firm, and personal benefit. Intra-organizational volunteerism therefore represents an opportunity for firms, employees and charitable organizations to maximize their returns from volunteerism efforts.

* Peloza, John and Derek N. Hassay (2006), “Intra-Organizational Volunteerism: Good Soldier, Good Deed, and Good Politics,” Journal of Business Ethics, 64 (4), 357-379.