Faith in Disaster Preparedness: Insights on the Influence of Religion on Humanitarian Volunteer Relief Operations

Abstract

Religious beliefs have often served as a lens through which communities interpret and cope with disasters. Not surprisingly, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that support disaster relief have roots in religious traditions. The religious orientation of an NGO is a key concern as it can influence volunteer outcomes and operational performance. This is important because volunteers are an indispensable asset for NGOs, playing a pivotal role in the efficacy of humanitarian aid efforts. This study employs social capital and person-organization fit theories to examine how NGO religiousness influences social capital, volunteer behaviors, and operational performance. It also analyzes how NGO and volunteer religiousness “fit” affects these relationships. The hypotheses were tested using two scenario-based video experiments: Experiment 1, which collected data from 100 students in a laboratory setting, and Experiment 2, which involved 198 online volunteers. Results from Tobit and Poisson regressions indicate that increased NGO religiousness may diminish volunteer social capital, commitment, and operational performance. However, NGO and volunteer religiousness “fit” mitigates the adverse effects of NGO religiousness, enhancing volunteer behaviors. A large-scale survey of 503 respondents supports these findings and provides insights to guide future research into volunteer motivations. This study contributes to the Humanitarian Operations Management literature and informs the strategies of NGOs regarding religious alignments, volunteer recruitment and retention, and operational performance.