The psychology of sport event volunteerism: a review of volunteer motives, involvement and behaviour.

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter explores the motives and involvement of event volunteers and behavioural aspects of event volunteering. A review of literature shows that the core concepts of volunteer motives, satisfaction, commitment and retention are interrelated and that they have important implications for the management of volunteers in sport events of varying scale and complexity. It is important to note that the majority of volunteers involved in special events (including sport events) conducted on a regular or annual basis in the same locale are repeat volunteers. In addition, because these volunteers are usually sourced from organizations related to the event organization through the social networks of previous volunteers or from prior participants, a 'combination of targeted recruitment and planned training' may substantially increase the effectiveness and efficiency of volunteer recruitment efforts for repeat sport events. In addition, sport event organizers need to 'recognize that if the majority of their volunteers are repeat volunteers or that their involvement is part of a long term career in volunteering at sport events, then the typical sport event volunteer will be familiar with many volunteer management practices'. Thus, it is argued that the organizers of sport events held on a regular or annual basis need to adopt innovative recruitment and management practices in order to reduce dissatisfaction amongst their volunteer labour force for potential gains in volunteer retention rates.