Volunteer motivation in sports events in Brazil

Abstract

The purpose was to analyze the potential differences in the motivation factors of volunteers according to the demographics; sex, level of education, and type of events in Brazil. The Volunteer Motivations Scale for International Sporting Events was administered to Brazilian volunteers via an online survey. Back-translation was used to ensure accuracy between the original scales. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to perform the transcultural adaptation. MANOVA was utilized to compare differences in demographic variables. Volunteers were motivated by two factors: Love of Sports and Community Involvement. The level of education verified significant differences only in the love of sport factor. The MANOVA revealed that the volunteers with a lower level of schooling (incomplete and elementary school) have higher levels of motivation (love for sport) compared to volunteers with high school, undergraduate, master's and PhD degrees. The interaction between sex and level of education indicated a significant difference in the same factor, and the interaction sex and type of event with the factor Community Involvement. Therefore, the results identify some differences in demographics. It is concluded that Volunteers' motivation is linked to the love of sport and involvement with the community and is related to sex and schooling, highlighting the importance of investigating volunteer motivations amongst sports events to promote positive development in management practices, specially to Brazilian sports events.