The link between repatriation assistance and international volunteer's psychological contract in Australian aid/charity/mission organizations
RIS ID
109182
Link to publisher version (URL)
Proceedings of the Universal Academic Cluster International Spring Conferences, 2016
Abstract
This paper investigates relationships among two issues important in international human resources management but rarely investigated for international volunteers in Australian aid/charity/ mission organisations (ACMs): repatriation assistance offered to international volunteers, the extent to which international volunteers perceive their employers to be fulfilling their psychological contract (PC) with them and their continued commitment with their ACMs. We find that, unlike for profit (FP) companies, the investigated ACMs do little to assist international volunteers, even long-term ones, with repatriation readjustment. Despite this, volunteers' perceived fulfilment of their PCs is not breached. Volunteers are largely satisfied with the minimal support that they receive and show high commitment to the ACM following the overseas assignment. The study suggests an ideology-related PC could explain this relationship between not-for-profit (NFP) organisations and their volunteering workforce. Comparisons to FP organisations and suggestions to improve repatriation policies and practices in ACM sector are made.
Publication Details
Woodward, B., Cox, A. & Barrett, M. (2016). The link between repatriation assistance and international volunteer's psychological contract in Australian aid/charity/mission organizations. Proceedings of the Universal Academic Cluster International Spring Conferences, April 2016 (pp. 137-158). Universal Academic Cluster.