The mediating impact of motive fulfilment on the relationship between supervisors and volunteers' intention to stay

Abstract

In this study, the effects of relationships with immediate supervisors, or Leader-Membership Exchange (LMX), on volunteers' intentions to stay with their organisations through motive fulfilment are examined. Data were collected from 213 volunteers working in community non-profit organisations in Queensland, Australia, and hypotheses tested with simple and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings show that the fulfilment of values, understanding, enhancement, social, and career motives partially mediated the effect of LMX on volunteers' intentions to stay. The results indicate that motive fulfilment is important in promoting positive workplace outcomes by enhancing volunteer-supervisor relationships.