Organizational or Individual? The Effect of Social Networks on Volunteer Activities in Japan

This paper investigates what kinds of social networks nudge volunteering by applying social network analysis. Unique Japanese data with various social network variables are used to explore the association between formal and informal social networks and volunteering. The results show that attending meetings of neighborhood associations and enrollment in a membership association, which involve forms of formal social networks, are positively correlated with the probability of both any volunteering and five kinds of volunteering. Frequency of meals with friends, an indicator of informal social networks, has statistical significance for volunteering. Notably, friendships, even if meals are infrequent, are enough to lead to volunteering opportunities. The author thus concludes that greater social participation can be fostered by promoting not only organizational assistance but also friendships.

Automated summary

This study uses unique Japanese data and applies social network analysis to investigate the impact of formal and informal social networks on volunteering. The results show a positive correlation between participation in formal social networks and the probability of any volunteering and specific types of volunteering. Friendships within informal social networks also have a positive influence on volunteering.