A clash with volunteer tourists? An extreme case study in Guatemala

Abstract

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine value change and changed consciousness with reference to three projects operated by a Guatemalan volunteer organization.Design/methodology/approach– An extreme case field study design is used. It was extreme in terms of Hofstede’s cultural dimension individualism versus collectivism. Semi-structural interviews were held with 28 staff members in local projects, 43 volunteer tourists and the Guatemalan Country Manager. Two tests to measure cultural psychological concepts were held with 151 children (M = 12.26, SD = 2.96) and the volunteer tourists (M = 25.54 years old, SD = 13.07 years). Finally, an ethnographical analysis was made through volunteering at each of the three projects for one month.Findings– All but two volunteer tourists had positive volunteer experiences. The culture clash did not influence the positive experience of each other, but neither did value exchange occur.Research limitations/implications– It is crucial for volunteer tourists to address the needs of the host community, for the volunteer organization to offer projects wherein people really are in need and for researchers, media and non-governmental organization watchers to generate more transparency at the volunteer organizations.Originality/value– This paper focuses on all stakeholders in relation to the volunteering experience. More specifically, it focuses on the cultural differences of stakeholders to examine the relative influence on volunteering. Furthermore, this paper introduces new concepts like the hidden fact and awareness change.