Leveraging human capital through an employee volunteer program. The case of Ford Motor Company of Canada
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14691930910922941 |
| Date | 16 January 2009 |
| Pages | 121-134 |
| Published date | 16 January 2009 |
| Author | Chris Bart,Mark C. Baetz,S. Mark Pancer |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance,HR & organizational behaviour,Information & knowledge management |
Leveraging human capital
through an employee volunteer
program
The case of Ford Motor Company of Canada
Chris Bart
DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
Mark C. Baetz
Department of Business, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada, and
S. Mark Pancer
Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how an employee volunteer program (EVP) as one
aspect of responsible corporate citizenship (typically expressed in a mission statement) can influence
the relationships among a firm, its employees and its community.
Design/methodology/approach – A pedagogical approach used in the educational sector known
as “community service-learning” or “service-learning” was used as the basis for analyzing the
experiences of 12 first-time volunteering employees who described in a personal interview the
motivations and outcomes associated with their participation in their EVP.
Findings – It was found that all three elements of service-learning – that is, reciprocity, reflection,
and development of responsible citizenship skills – were useful in understanding how an EVP can
leverage human capital to benefit the firm, its employees and the community and make a firm’s
mission of responsible citizenship a reality.
Research limitations/implications – Despite the small sample size of 12 respondents, there were
significant data in the comments from these respondents about the possible impact of an EVP
experience in terms of various elements involved in service-learning.
Practical implications – There are several corporate implications from the research which are
related to various elements of service-learning. For example, companies are encouraged to include in
the creation and rollout of their EVP a reflection process which could also be connected to employee
recognition programs, training programs and employee career development.
Originality/value – The paper presents a novel approach to assessing the motivations and possible
outcomes associated with an EVP. It should be of interest to both academics and practitioners.
Keywords Mission statements,Employees, Voluntary organizations, Communities,Learning
Paper type Case study
Introduction
According to Bart and his colleauges (Bart, 2004a, b; Bart, 2007a, b; Bart and Bontis,
2003; Bart et al., 2001; Bart and Deal, 2006; Bart and Hupfer, 2004), the purpose of an
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1469-1930.htm
The authors wish to thank the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (now known as Imagine
Canada) for their support for this research.
Employee
volunteer
program
121
Journal of Intellectual Capital
Vol. 10 No. 1, 2009
pp. 121-134
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1469-1930
DOI 10.1108/14691930910922941
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