Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.64.2.1
Characteristics of Volunteer Management in Non-profit Organizations in the Social Sector in Croatia
Antonija Farčić
orcid.org/0009-0006-3810-1132
Danijel Baturina
orcid.org/0000-0002-9063-305X
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, Social Work Study Centre, Croatia
Ivana Marić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, Croatia
Abstract
Nonprofit organizations are oriented toward serving the public interest and achieving positive
social change rather than generating profit. Their distinctiveness lies in the structure of human
resources, with volunteers playing a crucial role. Volunteer management encompasses the processes
of planning, organizing, coordinating, and supporting volunteers to effectively achieve
the organization’s mission and foster long-term collaboration. The key elements of effective
volunteer management include planning, recruitment, orientation, training, support, recognition,
and evaluation of volunteer work. In Croatia, the number of associations has been steadily
increasing as a result of social and economic transformations and the development of the nonprofit
sector. However, volunteer management practices within nonprofit organizations remain
underdeveloped despite governmental efforts to strengthen the volunteering infrastructure.
The aim of this paper is to provide an empirical insight into the characteristics of volunteer
management in Croatian nonprofit organizations operating in the social sector. The research
was conducted through a survey among 152 volunteer coordinators, who gave their assessments
on various aspects of volunteer management. The results indicate that most organizations have
a well-developed system of volunteer management, with the highest-rated elements being, according
to respondents' self-assessments, support (supervision) and the evaluation of volunteer
work. At the same time, respondents identified areas for improvement, particularly regarding
volunteer training. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the specific features
of volunteer management in the Croatian context and serve as a foundation for enhancing
volunteer policies and organizational practices.
Keywords
nonprofit organizations; volunteers; volunteer management; volunteer management practices; social sector
Hrčak ID:
352326
URI
Publication date:
21.10.2026.
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