Reciprocity and commitment of community-based organizations in service-learning partnerships with universities in Hong Kong

Abstract

This mixed-methods research explored community-based organizations’ perceptions of reciprocity and commitment in service-learning partnerships with universities in Hong Kong. The study examines the factors that influences commitment to the service-learning partnership by using the social exchange lens to investigate perceived partnership parity and involvement in teaching and learning activities. It contributes to the understanding of partnership interactions between universities and community-based organizations in Hong Kong by highlighting the voices of community-based organizations and make recommendations for how universities can improve their service-learning partnerships.

Quantitative and qualitative data sets were collected to answer the research questions. An online survey provided an overview of community-based organizations’ attitudes and commitment towards service-learning partnerships with universities, while interviews allowed the exploration of the critical partnership interactions. The Hong Kong higher education context was an ideal study context as service-learning had been practiced for more than a decade, yet so little is known about the experiences of community-based organizations.

The integrated data analysis showed differences in views on reciprocity and commitment differed. It confirmed that community-based organizations in Hong Kong expected universities to take the lead in service-learning partnerships and in educational matters. Partnership interactions demonstrating reciprocity of exchange likely led to transactional relationships, while those that experienced reciprocity of influence and generativity were more likely to sustain commitment. The results highlighted several interactions that negatively impacted community-based organizations’ commitment. Contributions to knowledge and practice are discussed with recommendations for universities to improve service-learning partnerships with Hong Kong community-based organizations. The findings from this study are proof of the dedication of service-learning practitioners in Hong Kong universities to enhancing the service-learning experience for all constituencies since its inception in the 2000s.

Date of Award	1 Oct 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Lisa Lucas (Supervisor) & Cathryn Knight (Supervisor)