Examining the predictive value of combining the theory of planned behaviour and the volunteer functions inventory

Abstract

Objective:The research investigated whether a stronger predictive model of volunteering behaviour prevails when the functions of the volunteer functions inventory are combined with the constructs of the theory of planned behaviour. The study advances on prior research which either examined the predictive capacity of each model or compared their explanatory values. Method: The survey was completed by 186 individuals (Male = 56.10%; Mean Age = 63.7 years) who were retired or approaching retirement and within the context of episodic, skilled volunteering. Results: Multiple regression analyses found that the functions of the volunteer functions inventory explained a further 7% of variability in individuals' willingness to volunteer, over and above that accounted for by the theory of planned behaviour. Within the final model, which explained 62% of variability in willingness to volunteer, significant predictors included attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control (from the theory of planned behaviour) and the understanding function from the volunteer functions inventory. Items representing the understanding function are proposed to represent a deeper psychological construct (e.g., self-actualisation) not accounted for by the theory of planned behaviour. Conclusions: The findings highlight the potential benefit to be gained from the amalgamation of these two prominent models in terms of improving understanding of volunteerism and providing a single parsimonious model for use in research and practice. Extending the research to include a broader range of volunteering contexts and populations will validate the benefit of combining the models.Key words: episodic volunteering, older people, self-actualisation, theory of planned behaviour, volunteer functions inventoryThe study of volunteerism has taken a variety of paths in an attempt to strengthen the understanding of the behaviour and to establish the most effective means of influencing its occurrence across diverse populations and settings. Indeed, the understanding of volunteering has been enhanced in recent times by examining the behaviour from a broader range of theoretical perspectives (see Wilson, 2012). The volunteer functions inventory (VFI; Clary et al., 1998), a prominently applied theory within volunteering research (Hustinx, Cnaan, & Handy, 2010), has played an instrumental role in advancing knowledge of intrinsic motivation to volunteer across many contexts. Acknowledging that volunteering is an act influenced by factors both intrinsic and external to the individual, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) also provides researchers with a framework for assessing individual and contextual determinants of the behaviour. In addition to examining the respective explanatory value of these two models in isolation, previous volunteering studies have also compared the predictive capacity of the two frameworks (e.g., Greenslade & White, 2005), at times positioning the theories in opposition to one another. To date, however, the explanatory...

An expectancy theory perspective of volunteerism: the roles of powerlessness, attitude toward charitable organizations, and attitude toward helping others

“…Further, Garver et al ( 2009 ) found that students volunteer for certain organizations when they know current volunteers or that organization, Dunn et al ( 2016 ) found that socializing was noted as among the common motives for volunteerism. Brayley et al ( 2015 ) found that subjective norms were the strongest predictor of willingness to volunteer. All of these findings seem to corroborate the impact that social influence can have on individuals’ volunteerism behavior.…”

“…Of the many contexts that have served as a backdrop for the study of volunteerism are Ajzen’s ( 1988 ) Theory of Planned Behavior in which behavior is preceded by intentions, which is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. For instance, Brayley et al ( 2015 ) found that motives for volunteering were, in order of strength, subjective norms, attitude, understanding, and perceived behavioral control. Another is the functional approach to volunteering which posits that individuals will volunteer if one or more of six motivational functions (altruistic value expression, understanding, career, social, protective and esteem) are perceived to be fulfilled (Clary et al 1992 ).…”

Relationship closeness, habit and perceived subjective norms as predictors of volunteer role identity in school-based mentoring programmes

“…The theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1985Ajzen, , 2011 states that subjective norms (i.e. the perceived social approval of engaging or not engaging in a behaviour) are essential in the process of deciding to volunteer (Brayley et al, 2015). In the mentoring context, this means that when mentors feel the support of significant others, they are more likely to stay engaged in the programme and continue mentoring.…”

Motivation of emergency medical services volunteers: a study of organized Good Samaritans

“…Individual characteristics, such as age, social background, resources, and health status, help predict an individual's voluntary action participation [48][49][50]. Motives such as altruism, self-actualization, need for power, need for mutual support, and self-esteem explain many aspects of volunteer behavior [51][52][53][54][55][56][57]. Organizational factors affecting volunteers such as an organization's values and attitudes have also been studied [58].…”