Applying Western models of volunteering in Hong Kong: The role of empathy, prosocial motivation and motive–experience fit for volunteering

Abstract

The present research investigates the applicability of prominent Western volunteering frameworks in Hong Kong. Two cross-sectional surveys involving a total of 268 respondents were conducted. In Study 1, we tested a model of volunteering among 149 Hong Kong Chinese adult individuals (Mage = 34.8 years; 51.7% female) that examines antecedents and outcomes of voluntary engagement. Results show that prosocial motivation relates to volunteering, and that volunteering in turn predicts life satisfaction. Unexpectedly, and unlike studies in Western settings, other-oriented empathy was not related to volunteering. Study 2 tests the propositions of the Volunteer Process Model (VPM) among 119 Hong Kong Chinese volunteers (Mage = 36.9 years; 58.0% female). Findings largely support the VPM: our results indicate that the link between motives, voluntary service length and frequency is mediated by satisfaction with volunteering. Moreover, findings suggest that a fit between motives and experience seems relevant for increasing volunteers' satisfaction with their service. Results of both studies suggest that Western volunteering models can be applied to volunteering in East Asian cultures when culturespecific adaptations are considered.

The Confucian Value of Benevolence and Volunteering Among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Functional Motives

“…The underlying processes through which the Confucian value of benevolence promotes or hinders volunteering need to be explored. Previous studies have shown that volunteer motivation is an important variable affecting volunteering (Aydinli-Karakulak et al, 2016;Haivas et al, 2013). Currently, the research mainly focuses on two theoretical perspectives: the functional approach (Clary et al, 1998;Houle et al, 2005) and self-determination theory (Hardy et al, 2015;Millette & Gagné, 2008).…”

“…Moreover, Wu et al (2009) revised the Chinese version and found that the sixfactor model fitted the best. Although these motives could be seen as self-directed (specifically the five motives of understanding, social, enhancement, career, and protection) or altruism (the value motive), they are usually combined, rather than mutually exclusive, to motivate volunteering (Aydinli-Karakulak et al, 2016;Grönlund, 2014). Previous studies have shown that motives for volunteering are key factors for the initiation and continuation of volunteer behavior under the Chinese cultural background.…”

“…For example, Lai et al (2013) found that volunteers and potential volunteers had higher motivations than those of nonvolunteers in Beijing and Macao samples. In addition, a recent study that used Hong Kong's volunteer samples found that all six motives positively predicted sustained volunteering through satisfaction (Aydinli-Karakulak et al, 2016).…”

The role of technology in reconfiguring volunteer management in nonprofits in Hong Kong: Benefits and discontents

“…There is plenty of evidence demonstrating that volunteering generates a wide array of benefits for individuals, communities, and society at large (Aydinli‐Karakulak, Bender, Chong, & Yue, ; Hong & Morrow‐Howell, ; Salamon, Sokolowski, Haddock, & Tice, ). In advanced and emerging economies alike, volunteers account for a significant proportion of the total workforce, contributing in some cases to 33.2% of a nation's gross domestic product (Salamon, Sokolowski, & Haddock, , p. 240).…”

Apoyo comunitario percibido en jóvenes y voluntariado

“…Esta invitación a la reciprocidad hay que fundamentarla en la conciencia implícita detectada de no estar haciendo lo suficiente para corresponder al apoyo percibido. Al respecto, las principales motivaciones que pueden llevar a implicarse inicialmente en actividades de voluntariado pueden ser la empatía, la conducta prosocial, el altruismo y el aprendizaje, entre otros, pero también es importante atender a los beneficios del voluntariado, como son la valía del aprendizaje adquirido, la autorrealización, el empoderamiento y el bienestar (Aydinly-Karakulak, Bender, Chong, Yue, 2016;Ng et al, 2014;Patrick, Bodine, Gibbs, & Basinger, 2018;Silva, Proença, & Ferreira, 2018) Por otra parte, el apoyo comunitario percibido analizado, dependiendo de si se participa en actividades de voluntariado o no, revela que los voluntarios alcanzan valores más altos en las dimensiones Participación comunitaria y Organización comunitaria, lo cual era de esperar dado que la primera dimensión hace referencia a la implicación en actividades sociales de la comunidad y la segunda a la percepción que se tiene sobre el apoyo recibido por parte de organizaciones y voluntarios. No se encuentran diferencias entre quienes son o no voluntarios en la dimensión Integración comunitaria, por lo que ambos colectivos se sienten identificados con su comunidad.…”