Corporate Volunteering as Tool for Human Resource Development

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

A. RELEVANCE

B. RESEARCH QUESTION & METHODS

C. OUTLINE

II. CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING – AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH OF CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP

A. CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP (CC) – THE CONCEPTUAL FRAME

1. The parameters of the 21st century

2. What is Corporate Citizenship?

3. Different conceptions of CC

B. CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING (CV)

1. What is Corporate Volunteering?

2. CV in the US and in German-speaking countries

3. Reasons and strategy for applying CV

4. Types

5. Benefits

6. Critique

III. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

A. FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

B. CREATING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THROUGH HRD

1. Needs assessment

2. How to satisfy an organization’s developmental needs

3. Evaluation and Transfer

C. NEW DEMANDS ON HRD

1. Changes in the work sphere underlying HRD

2. The significance of ‘softer’ skills & emotional intelligence

3. Learning in Organizations

IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CV IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

A. PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

V. EMPIRICAL STUDY

A. THE CASE

B. RESEARCH METHOD

1. Qualitative interviews

2. Qualitative content analysis

C. FINDINGS

D. DISCUSSION

VI. CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

Research Objectives and Themes

The primary objective of this thesis is to investigate the potential of Corporate Volunteering as a strategic instrument for Human Resource Development within a corporate environment, focusing specifically on how such programs foster employee skill sets and influence organizational development.

• Theoretical examination of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Volunteering concepts.
• Analysis of the strategic link between volunteering activities and HRD goals.
• Exploration of employee motivations and the perceived benefits of volunteering programs.
• Evaluation of practical implementation strategies through a case study of Erste Group.
• Assessment of the challenges and success factors for Corporate Volunteering in business settings.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

I. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the rise of CSR, defines the research problem, and details the thesis structure and exploratory approach.

II. CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING – AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH OF CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP: Establishes the theoretical framework for Corporate Citizenship and examines the definitions, types, benefits, and critiques of Corporate Volunteering.

III. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: Explores HRD definitions, its functional cycle, and the shifting demands in the workplace, including the importance of soft skills and lifelong learning.

IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CV IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: Analyzes the strategic integration of volunteering into HRD and provides practical examples from various corporations.

V. EMPIRICAL STUDY: Presents the qualitative case study of Erste Group, detailing the methodology, findings from semi-structured interviews, and a discussion of the results.

VI. CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK: Summarizes the key insights, synthesizes the findings regarding HRD potential, and offers recommendations for future implementation.

Keywords

Corporate Volunteering, Corporate Citizenship, Human Resource Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, Employee Motivation, Skill Development, Soft Skills, Stakeholder Management, Qualitative Case Study, Erste Group, Organizational Development, Strategic HRM, Corporate Philanthropy, Workplace Learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this thesis?

The research investigates the integration of Corporate Volunteering into a company's Human Resource Development strategy, specifically analyzing the opportunities and benefits such initiatives provide for organizations and employees.

What are the central thematic fields?

The thesis covers Corporate Citizenship, the theoretical foundations of Human Resource Development, the implementation of volunteering programs, and the strategic alignment between volunteering and corporate goals.

What is the primary research goal?

The primary goal is to contribute to a deeper understanding of Corporate Volunteering as an innovative HRD instrument and to establish how it creates value for both the company and the individual participant.

Which research method is applied?

The thesis utilizes a qualitative exploratory case study approach, involving semi-structured interviews with former volunteering participants and HR/CSR representatives to gain in-depth insights.

What does the main part of the work cover?

The main part covers the conceptualization of Corporate Citizenship, the mechanics of HRD, the strategic impact of volunteering on organizational success, and an empirical analysis of initiatives at Erste Group.

Which keywords characterize the work?

Key terms include Corporate Volunteering, Human Resource Development, Corporate Citizenship, stakeholder management, employee skills, and organizational learning.

How does the author evaluate the "soft" benefits of Corporate Volunteering?

The author highlights that volunteering fosters critical soft skills such as emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership, which are increasingly vital in the service-dominated economy.

What role does Erste Group play in this study?

Erste Group serves as the primary case study object, demonstrating how a large financial service provider practically integrates volunteering into its corporate strategy and HRD practices.

What is the author's conclusion regarding the sustainability of CV programs?

The author concludes that for Corporate Volunteering to be sustainable, it must be strategically aligned with business goals rather than being a mere ad-hoc PR activity, and it requires systematic evaluation.