Volunteers as agents of social change: Evidence from Australian food rescue industry

Despite the consensus that volunteers play an increasingly important role in social development, the role volunteers can play in social change has received limited research attention. Drawing from volunteer management and social innovation literature, this paper explores if and how volunteers can be agents of social change. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, we conducted interviews and focus groups, participant observations, and secondary data analysis to capture volunteer management processes and experience at an Australian food rescue organisation. Thematic analysis of data revealed four distinct types of volunteers: personal gain, strengthening teams, giving to those in need, and becoming as advocate. Our findings make significant contributions to theory and practice eliciting how volunteers can create and sustain effective social change.