Why Cooperation in Volunteer Work Can Fail Despite the Best Intentions: Conflicting Ideas in Narrations From Volunteers

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of narratives about day-to-day cooperation between volunteers. It shows what challenges there are to cooperation, even when those involved share the same objectives and want to cooperate. Our analysis of the narrative interviews revealed two contrasting ideas volunteers have about cooperation: The first idea likens cooperation to a jigsaw puzzle, with volunteers emphasizing their mutual dependence. The second idea draws a comparison with pieces in a board game, with volunteers asserting their autonomy and acting strategically in dealing with others. The two ideas are shown to be incompatible, leading to volunteers taking rather critical views of each other. This shows the importance of a more nuanced analysis of different ideas of cooperation in volunteer work and of not taking successful cooperation as a given. Our practical conclusion is that the manner of cooperation in volunteer work needs to be negotiated more thoroughly.