Role of Social Capital in International Volunteering:Evidence From Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

This study analyzed panel survey data from 1,330 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers collected before, during, and after their assignments to examine the relationship between three types of social capital—bonding, bridging, and linking—and volunteer outcomes. The aim was to provide empirical evidence to help sending organizations and policymakers support volunteers’ network building and maximize their impact on local development.

The results showed that bonding social capital played a central role in volunteer outcomes. Specifically, support from colleagues and supervisors at host organizations was positively associated with host organizations’ capacity development, including skill enhancement, improvements in local staff work attitudes, and expanded community services.

In contrast, bridging and linking social capital had longer-term effects. Networks formed with local people during the first year contributed to new service development, while support from the JICA country office was associated with improvements in local staff attitudes and the expansion of organizational resources over time. These findings suggest that meaningful engagement with the local community and the effective use of local resources require sustained involvement of at least one year.

Based on these findings, policy implications include enhancing initial support from sending organizations to facilitate relationships with host organizations and promoting the long-term development of networks with local people.