Leveraging Social Media to Strengthen Volunteerism: Its Effect on Employees Work-Life Integration

Abstract

Social media has the potential to serve as a powerful tool in promoting volunteerism and improving employees' work-life integration by facilitating non-profit organizations and employers to expand their reach, engage with volunteers in real-time, and foster a sense of community around a shared cause. The impact of online volunteering on an individual's sense of purpose and fulfillment beyond work is uncertain, as more professionals are turning towards it. Furthermore, the impact of such activities on work-life integration is ambiguous, with uncertain effects on an employee's ability to balance work and personal life. To bridge this knowledge gap, our aim is to investigate the potential for employees to effectively integrate their work and life responsibilities while participating in online volunteering activities. In order to accomplish this objective, a qualitative methodology has been employed, specifically utilizing a single case study design. The study's findings regarding the research question yielded two primary themes on the potential for doctors to participate in online volunteering activities while integrating their work and personal life: central participants and peripheral participants. In conclusion, doctors who engage in online volunteering and strive to attain a balance between their work and personal life encounter a complex situation, heavily influenced by their organizational environment, individual traits, and their approach to managing work-life demands.