Volunteers’ Motivation, Satisfaction, and Management in Large-scale Events: An Empirical Test from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo

Exploring Motivations of 2014 Sochi Paralympic Winter Games Volunteers

“…The volunteer, according to Bang and Chelladurai (2003) and later Bang and Ross (2009) and Georgiadis et al (2006), serves so the event's success may serve others and to give back to society. This selfless, altruistic motive was found to be true among volunteers in multiple prior studies (Khoo et al, 2011;Kumnig et al, 2015;Wang & Wu, 2014). More specifically, this study's participants identified with the motive of providing a positive experience for all involved, similar to prior motivation studies among volunteers (Kim et al, 2010;Wang & Wu, 2014).…”

“…Clary et al (1998) used a functional approach in examining volunteer motivations and proposed six dimensions as to why people volunteer: (a) values-volunteering on principles, (b) understanding-to desire to gain knowledge or skills, (c) self-enhancement-volunteering for sense of fulfillment, (d) career-volunteering for career advancement or networking, (e) social-volunteering to meet people or spend time with friends, and (f) protective-volunteering as a way of escape from life's everyday worries. Wang and Wu (2014) found motivations consisted of doing something good for the community and for career enhancement. Patriotism also motivates volunteers to work at large-scale events held on a world stage as individuals want their country to be put in a positive light (Bang & Chelladurai, 2003).…”

“…In comparison to volunteers at disability sport events, Olympic volunteers were also motivated by personal development, a desire to give back, and an intent to support the community (Georgiadis, Spiliopoulos, Rampotas, & Rampotas, 2006). Furthermore, altruistic reasons motivated volunteers at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo by providing services to an organization and society as a whole (Wang & Wu, 2014) while volunteers at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic World Ski Championships cited professional development among the motives to volunteer (Wollebaek et al, 2014).…”

“…Volunteers working in a Paralympic setting also want to provide the best experience possible for the athletes (Kim, Zhang, & Connaughton, 2010). Wang and Wu (2014) found this desire for creating a positive experience for athletes in their examination of volunteers for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Volunteers reported love for the event itself rather than love of a particular sport at the World Expo (Ferrell et al, 1998;Wang & Wu, 2014).…”

“…Wang and Wu (2014) found this desire for creating a positive experience for athletes in their examination of volunteers for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Volunteers reported love for the event itself rather than love of a particular sport at the World Expo (Ferrell et al, 1998;Wang & Wu, 2014). Wilson (2012) proposed examining volunteerism in the context of the organization or the event, and the Paralympic Games provide an excellent opportunity for such an exploration.…”