Volunteering Motivation to Combat Covid-19: Evidence from Community Responses in China

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of local volunteers and non-profit organisations (NPOs) working to safeguard public health in their communities in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in China. We draw on psychological perspectives and emergency management literature to understand how such efforts can support communities. We examine Covid-19 volunteering activities and motivation in China using a mixed-methods approach, analysing usage data from a popular volunteering digital app, followed by a survey of 1,889 Covid-19 volunteers active on the app, and interviews with non-profit managers coordinating voluntary activities. Results reveal rapid growth in volunteer activity and a shift to Covid-19 volunteering from other causes as the pandemic grew, facilitated by social media. Volunteer motivation was predominately based on confidence in the ability to make a difference (efficacy), urgency and relevance (salience) of the Covid-19 crisis, and social ties. Our study suggests volunteer professionalism is valuable in providing a range of services. The experiences of crisis respondents can help build capacity to respond adaptively. The findings show how NPOs and communities have been combatting Covid-19 and provide insights into more effective volunteer engagement in future crises.