1. www.ntu.edu.sg
Motivations to volunteer for sports events
Muhammad Idzhar Bin Kailani
Sport Science and Management Programme, Nanyang Technological University
Abstract
Purpose: To explore the interrelationships between time
perspective, volunteering motivations and subjective
well-being seeking to identify the profiles of volunteers in
Singapore.
Methods: 100 participants were subjected to a series of
questions from the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI)
(Clara et. al 1998), Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory
(ZTPI) (Zimbardo & Boyd 1999) and the Subjective Well-
being of Life Scale (SWB) (Diener, Ed. 1984).
Results: 3 distinctive clusters were found based on their
response on the questionnaires. Significant differences in
the time perspective and volunteer motivations were
observed in the 3 clusters. Clusters were then labelled as
Maladaptive, Adaptive and Apathetic reflecting their
respective profiles.
Conclusion: Volunteering is seen as an opportunity to
seek redress of problems some may have and also to do
things that they have never had the chance before.
Organizations looking to recruit more volunteers should
highlight these functions to the volunteers such that they
are provided with quality volunteering experience.
Introduction
• Volunteer manpower is highly sought after in order to support
the rising number of sports events in Singapore.
• Understanding the profiles of potential Singaporean volunteers
will aid in the recruitment of the volunteers.
• The research seeks to identify the TP of potential volunteers, VF
and SWB scores and to determine the interrelationships
between them such that unique volunteering profiles can be
determined.
• It was hypothesized that future TP, together with VFs that were
more inclined towards careers, enhancement of one’s skills and
understanding of one’s abilities would be the dominant profile
that would stand out.
Methods
• Participants were given a set of questionnaires containing the 3
inventories mentioned.
• Scores from each inventories were tallied respectively into
categories.
• These scores were then cluster analysed using the hierarchical
method of cluster analysis to organize the sample into 3
clusters. These 3 clusters were organized according to their TP
and VF profiles.
Results
• 3 distinctive clusters emerged: Maladaptive, Adaptive and
Apathetic. Refer to figures 1 and 2 on the left.
• Maladaptive profile: Mostly past-negative, high in VFI Protect.
• Adaptive profile: Mostly past-positive, high in VFI Understand.
• Apathetic profile: No significant inclination to any pofiles
Summary and Conclusions
• Volunteer profiles were identified to be more significant with the
past and present time perspectives rather than future time
perspectives.
• Volunteer profiles showed greater significance in social-
relationships functions, seeking ways to enhance oneself and
also as a remedy for one’s problems.
• Organizations seeking volunteers should consider these profiles
before they start recruiting people for their programs. Profiles
indicate that those who volunteer are driven very much by their
experiences on the past.
• Those with positive perspective of the past tend to volunteer for
on the basis of pushing their boundaries and looking at how
much more they can contribute.
• Those with a negative perspective of the past tend to volunteer
to seek solutions to their problems.
• It is therefore important that organizations highlight these
functions to serve as the attractive factor in getting more
volunteers on board.
References
1. Clary, E. G., Snyder, M., Ridge, R. D., Copeland, J., Stukas, A.
A., Haugen, J., & Miene, P. (1998). Understanding and
assessing the motivations of volunteers: A functional approach.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1516-1530.
2. Zimbardo, P. G. & Boyd, J.N. (1993) Putting time in perspective:
A valid, reliable individual differences metric. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology. 1999 Dec Vol 77(6) 1271-
1288
3. Diener E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985)
The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of Personality
Assessement, 49, 71-75
Special Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Asst. Prof. Kee Ying Hwa for the
guidance given throughout. Also special thanks to my
family and friends for the emotional support throughout
the course of my FYP.