Volunteers\' perceptions of benefits derived from volunteering: an empirical study

Abstract

Volunteers form an integral part of the sport industry. The operational and financial success of many major sports events is highly dependent on the benevolent
contribution of volunteers. Although several studies have been conducted
internationally regarding volunteers, comparatively few empirical studies exist within
a South African sports context that investigate the perceived benefits of volunteerism.
Hence, the purpose of this study was to elicit responses from volunteers at a major
sport event regarding their perceived benefits. The respondents (n = 218) in the study
comprised volunteers at the 2006 Federation of African Students Universities (FASU)
games. A structured questionnaire comprising 51 items regarding the benefits of
volunteering was used in the study. The items in the questionnaire were scored on a
5-point Likert-type scale with 1 anchored at strongly agree and 5 anchored at
strongly disagree. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted resulting in four factors
(32 variables) viz. social interaction, skill enhancement, personal rewards and
personal enrichment being extracted. This study demonstrated that social interaction,
skill enhancement, personal rewards and personal enrichment are substantial
benefits that volunteers derive through volunteering. In conclusion, the factorial
dimensions developed in the study may be employed by sport organisations as a
mechanism to attract volunteers by emphasising the salient benefits derived from
volunteering. Prospects for future research are also outlined.

Keywords: Volunteers; Volunteering; Sport organisation; Benefits; Sport event.

SAJRSPER Vol. 30 (1) 2008 pp. 105-116