How to make a cooperation between NPO/volunteer organizations:

Using Boolean analysis

Abstract

    NPO/volunteer activities are currently receiving attention as a counterbalance to the excesses of market principles. Faced with many problems, will it be possible for local people to implement and sustain voluntary participation in society, without relying on governmental assistance? Numerous ideas have already been actively debated from an academic or governmental perspective. The typical example of this debate is the so-called “2007 Problem”; how can huge numbers of retired baby boomers become involved in NPO/volunteer activities? The debate concerning how to construct a mature civil society is ongoing, and, although both academics and governments are increasing their expectations of NPOs/volunteer organizations, several basic problems remain unresolved at the stage of practical implementation.
    This research focuses on social capital (especially bridging social capital) and analyzes the potential for cooperation between NPO/volunteer organizations. The data used was a survey conducted amongst NPO/volunteer organization representatives in Nishitokyo City in 2012.
    Boolean analysis of the survey indicated that, although it is impossible to make organizations cooperate by a single generation, the 40-50 age group was identified as enabling cooperation with other organizations. Therefore, getting baby boomers nearing retirement to join NPO/volunteer organization would have only a limited function in improving cooperation between organizations. Gender analysis of representatives by age groups showed that the ratio of women was higher in the 40-50 age group than in the over-60 age group, indicating the potential for involvement of housewives in their 40s and 50s.
    Research into status achievement indicates that if women with abundant academic and social resources are forced to choose involvement in NPO/volunteer organizations in the non-economic sphere as a means to self-fulfillment, then there is a need to discuss the structural problems of revitalizing local communities. A way of encouraging people with other lifestyles to become involved is also required.