Neue Publikation im Journal Voluntary Sector Review

1 September 2026

Wir freuen uns über die Veröffentlichung des gemeinsam von Lena Wolber und Prof. Dr. Julia Thaler verfassten Artikels „A systematic Review of informal volunteer engagement in natural disasters: an AMO perspective“ in der Fachzeitschrift Voluntary Sector Review. 

Abstract: 

During disasters response organisations and affected individuals often rely on informal volunteers. Yet research on informal volunteers remains fragmented across disciplines, and knowledge of the topics shaping their engagement remains limited. This review of 37 articles applies the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) model as a heuristic to systematise findings on informal volunteer engagement in disasters. The findings show that informal volunteering is a heterogeneous and context-dependent phenomenon. Within the AMO dimensions, the review identifies key themes that shape volunteers’ ability to engage (for example, training and skill development), motivation (for example, socio-psychological motives and mismatched expectations), and opportunity (for example, institutional frameworks and collaboration during disaster response). Furthermore, the review presents a research agenda with six propositions focused on skill development, emotional dynamics and demotivators, socio-cultural variation, community, digital structures, and collaboration between academia and practitioners in informal volunteering, extending the AMO perspective to this context.