Olympic volunteering for the unemployed: who benefits and how?
Gornostaeva, G. and McGurk, P. 2013. Olympic volunteering for the unemployed: who benefits and how? International journal of employment studies. 21 (1), pp. 5-30.
Gornostaeva, G. and McGurk, P. 2013. Olympic volunteering for the unemployed: who benefits and how? International journal of employment studies. 21 (1), pp. 5-30.
| Title | Olympic volunteering for the unemployed: who benefits and how? |
|---|---|
| Authors | Gornostaeva, G. and McGurk, P. |
| Abstract | This paper investigates the benefits of volunteering at the Olympic Games. It draws on theories of human capital and social capital to conceptualise the intended outcomes of volunteering, and applies these to the context of the Olympics. The paper argues that Olympic volunteering has become an instrument of active labour market policy, aiming to encourage social participation among the unemployed and transition them into employment. A case study of the outcomes of a major events volunteering initiative for the unemployed in London is presented. The paper concludes that the development of human and social capital through Olympic volunteering will be limited and unevenly distributed across three distinct groups: traditional volunteers; close-to-labour market volunteers; and hard-to-reach volunteers. The paper thereby adds to understanding of how volunteering relates to the development of human and social capital, in particular how this relationship is mediated by institutional arrangements and individuals’ experiences of unemployment. |
| Journal | International journal of employment studies |
| Journal citation | 21 (1), pp. 5-30 |
| ISSN | 1039-6993 |
| Year | 2013 |
| Publisher | Group Researching Organisations, Work, Employment and Skills |
| Web address (URL) | http://www.academia.edu/5696449/Gornostaeva_and_McGurk_Olympic_Volunteering_for_the_Unemployed_Who_Benefits_and_How_ |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 2013 |