Individual adaptability and philanthropic behavior of Malaysian community health workers: social network as mediator

• Main Authors: Alias, Siti Noormi, Ismail, Maimunah, Suandi, Turiman, Omar, Zoharah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/41146/1/41146.docx; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/41146/; http://www.ufhrd.co.uk/wordpress/alias-s-n-ismail-m-suandi-t-and-omar-z-individual-adaptability-and-philanthropic-behavior-of-malaysian-community-health-workers-social-network-as-mediator/
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Purpose - The study explored how individual adaptability factors impact philanthropic behavior among community health workers (CHWs), with social network as the mediator. Design/methodology/approach – this study used a correlational research design involving 230 CHWs under MERCY Malaysia, a non-government organization (NGO) in the health sector. The data were analyzed using a two-step approach in structural equation modeling (SEM), combining a measurement model and a structural model. Findings – Results showed that (1) social network fully mediated the relationship between task-oriented coping and philanthropic behavior and (2) social network partially mediated the relationship between social trust and philanthropic behavior. Research limitations/implications – The data of the study were generated from a single NGO (MERCY Malaysia) and considered only social adaptability as the antecedent. Originality/ value – The study is the first of its kind conducted in Malaysia. The finding that social network played a significant role as mediator in philanthropic behavior should be capitalized on by HRD practitioners to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the philanthropic work of CHWs.