Integration of corporate volunteering CV in the CSR strategy and on employees participation in the CV in Qatar

1.0 Introduction:
Corporate volunteering (CV) entails the scenario wherein employees undertake voluntary social activities. The activities are community based and charitable in nature (Optimy. 2017). This volunteering form becomes part of the CSR policy of the company. Companies have chosen to invest their resources and time in the development of workplace environments where every person can put in their contribution on the things that really matter (Optimy. 2017). Over time, the concept of volunteering broadened detailing the program of volunteering as a means of strengthening the relationship between the Company and her employees. There are many examples that explain the impact of the corporate volunteering phenomenon.
One of the examples is Deloitte, a consulting firm that operates in close to every other Nation of the world. The company has an elaborate CSR tradition. For volunteering, the company offers her employees about 48 hours per annum on payroll for them to engage in volunteer services in a given association (Optimy. 2017). They also give them incentives to help them take part in several fundraising initiatives. Autodesk is another American corporation that provides her employees with five days per annum for them to offer assistance to non-profit organizations and schools. Autodesk is also actively involved in the execution of campaigns and social initiatives (Optimy. 2017).
1.1 Importance of Study:
Corporate volunteering is an essential part in any progressive corporation because it helps employees, the company, and the community benefit from mutually beneficial initiatives. Donated products and monetary services will often have a fundamental impact if the purpose for which such resources are channeled is progressive. Programs in corporate volunteering often have greater lasting value. This is because it all boils down to the engagement of employees. With CV younger employees will be hired and the visibility of the company in the community will grow (FrontStream. 2013). CV helps improve the engagement levels of employees (Graffer, 2011). Companies that engage more in the promotion of volunteer programs in the community have better employee satisfaction, better morale and hence better profitability and productivity. This is only a summary of the extent to which CV programs can impact the company. This research investigates the level of influence that CV can have in Qatari companies.
1.2 Study Questions:
1. What impact would Corporate Volunteering have on the Corporate World in Qatari?
2. What benefits would Companies, Employees, and the Community enjoy if Qatari corporations embrace Corporate Volunteering?
3. Are there any significant benefits that Qatari can accrue from integration of Corporate Volunteering in the Corporate Social Responsibility?
1.3 Objectives:
To identify any visible benefits of integrating Corporate Volunteering into the CSR of Qatari companies Investigating the benefits that employees, Corporations and communities accrue from CV.
2.0 Literature Review:
Benabou and Tirole (2010) noted that corporate and individual social responsibility is an alternative answer to the distributive and market failures which have become quite pronounced. The two researchers, Benabou and Tirole (2010), elaborate on the place of corporate volunteering in helping institutions build a reputation and become more visible in the local and international community.
do Paço and Cláudia Nave (2013) examine the motivations that help employees become amicable in their participation in corporate volunteering activities that companies promote. The researchers do Paço and Cláudia Nave (2013), also evaluate the happiness and satisfaction level with volunteering activities.
2.1 Corporate volunteering and its benefits/values to the company/society
In a recent research conducted by the Realized Worth institution companies that had employees who were more engaged in CV had their levels of profitability grow by around 16% and their productivity levels were 18 per cent more than for other companies (FrontStream. 2013). This research also showed that customer loyalty for companies with CV was 12 per cent higher while the quality of their products grew by about 60 per cent. For the companies that do not embrace corporate volunteering they suffer immense losses. Their employees are disengaged therefore leading to approx. $350 billion in annual losses according to the 2002 poll conducted by Gallup (FrontStream. 2013).
For companies that value CV they also are inclined to hire more young employees. Millennia’s who are clearing collage over the past several years and the subsequent generations are committed to make a difference in the world. This is what motivates this young people to sacrifice close to 14.4% of the salaries they earn to work in companies that are socially responsible (FrontStream. 2013). This is quite different from the old model where the only things that mattered were benefits and competitive wages. These are the only things employees considered in a potential employment opportunity especially so under circumstances where some types of people or skills were highly in demand (FrontStream. 2013). For millennial, the landscape of their career is quite different. This is why they wish to work for the companies that will guide their value and support the causes that they are more agreeable with.
With CV there is also increased corporate visibility. Giving is not a sign that there are clear financial inducements for the company. Skillfully promoted and established volunteer programs will boost the visibility of the company inside the community (Benabou & Tirole, 2010). This will boost the reputation of the company in the eyes of the public and help maintain a reputation for the company in the midst of challenges (FrontStream. 2013). The media may be slow to cover announcements that are business related or any accomplishments by any local company. With CV there will always be something good to report about the company (Graffer, 2011). Other important benefits of CV include encouraging teamwork, employee development, improved communication, improved retention of employees, provision of the main topic in retention of content for the corporation, and improved retention of employees (Graffer, 2011).
Peterson (2003) conducted a survey investigating the supposed benefits of corporate volunteering. The researcher found out that employees perceived volunteering as an effective way of enhancing and developing various skills that are related to the job. This was in fact true for women employees and those employees who were involved in formal volunteering programs (Peterson, 2003). The survey outcomes also showed that commitment to the organization was better for volunteers who came from companies that have corporate volunteering in comparison to the companies that do not have volunteer programs. The survey outcomes also indicated that satisfaction at work was linked to volunteerism for women employees as opposed to male employees (Peterson, 2003). Basil et al. (2009) also alludes to the fact that volunteerism has substantial benefits for the employees, society, and the companies. Volunteerism according to Basil et al. (2009) helps companies achieve corporate CSR expectations.
Sanchez-Hernandez and Gallardo-Vázquez (2013) found that the modern business environment in Spain has incorporated volunteerism as a fundamental part of their CSR strategy for the purpose of remaining committed to their social responsibility objectives and behavior.
2.2 Application degree of volunteering concept in Qatari Companies
Employee supported volunteering (ESV) provides the employees volunteer opportunities with assistance from the employer (Doing Good Leads, n.d.). This might take the state of team or individual volunteering or some arrangements involving community partners. Employee supported volunteering (ESV) offers actual benefits to the employer, the community and volunteers in the organizations that are supported. Through solving local issues the employer is able to benefit individually and through the community in which they are operating.
Injaz Qatar has partnered with local communities, educators, and corporate volunteers for the purpose of inspiring and preparing the young generation to have an impact in the worldwide economy. INJAZ Qatar has membership in the JA worldwide (Injaz Qatar, 2018). This is the largest global organization that has dedicated itself to the education of students about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness through hands-on and experiential programs. JA became established in the year 1919 and got to more than 10 million students per year in over 120 countries (Injaz Qatar, 2018). Injaz Qatar has also partnered with Injaz Al-Arab. The Injaz Al-Arab forms part of fourteen MENA Nations that work for a common mission of inspiring and preparing young Arab kids to become successful in the worldwide economy. There are many companies in Qatar that have formed similar CV policies for the good of young people and the communities. Although most of the volunteering concepts are just beginning to be seriously considered as part of the CSR policies of most companies the little impact that the few companies engaged in CV has inspired more companies to join in.
2.3 The need to integrate volunteering concept in the strategic planning of the Qatari companies
As discussed earlier corporate volunteering has visible benefits to a company. Companies that engage more in the promotion of volunteer programs in the community have better employee satisfaction, better morale and hence better profitability and productivity (FrontStream, 2013). For these reasons Qatari companies should embrace CV as part of their CSR policies. It will help boost the outlook of the company and become a strong marketing tool in many ways than the media can ever achieve for the company. With CV the millennial generation and subsequent generations will get hooked and enjoy working with the companies that promote CV.
2.4 The motives/drivers of the companies’ employees in Qatar to participate in volunteering work
Employees are motivated to engage in volunteering work because it makes the working environment more friendly, interactive, and productive. With CV employees can become more acquainted with the community (Gian-Claudio &Theo Wehner, 2012). Volunteer programs in the community have better employee satisfaction, better morale and hence better profitability and productivity. The fact that CV programs are funded by the company makes it more appealing to the young employees as well (Pajo & Lee, 2011). If the CV programs were not funded then employees would find it hard to take part in them.
References
Basil, D. Z., Runte, M. S., Easwaramoorthy, M., & Barr, C. (2009). Company support for employee volunteering: A national survey of companies in canada. Journal of Business Ethics, 85(SUPPL. 2), 387–398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9741-0
Benabou, R., & Tirole, J. (2010). Individual and corporate social responsibility. Economica, 77(305), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0335.2009.00843.x
do Paço, A., & Cláudia Nave, A. (2013). Corporate volunteering. Employee Relations, 35(5), 547–559. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-12-2012-0089
Doing Good Leads (n.d.). Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV). Retrieved 24, December, 2018 from https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/esv/
FrontStream., (2013). 3 benefits of corporate volunteer programs. Retrieved 24, December, 2018 from https://www.frontstream.com/3-benefits-of-corporate-volunteer-programs/
Gian-Claudio, G., & Theo Wehner. (2012). Corporate Volunteering. Gabler Verlag.
Graffer, J. (2011). Corporate volunteering as tool for human resource development: An innovative corporate citizenship approach on the example of erste group. Mu?nchen: GRIN Verlag.
Injaz Qatar (2018). About Us. Retrieved 24, December, 2018 from https://www.injaz-qatar.org/
Optimy., (2017). Corporate Volunteering. Retrieved 24, December, 2018 from https://wiki.optimy.com/corporate-volunteering/
Pajo, K., & Lee, L. (2011). Corporate-Sponsored Volunteering: A Work Design Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 99(3), 467–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0665-0
Peterson, D. K. (2003). Benefits of participation in corporate volunteer programs: Employees’ perceptions. Personnel Review, 33(6), 615–627. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480410561510
Sanchez-Hernandez, I. I., & Gallardo-Vázquez, D. (2013). Approaching corporate volunteering in Spain. Corporate Governance (Bingley), 13(4), 397–411. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-02-2012-0009