Membership Matters: Why Members Engage with Professional Associations
- 149 Downloads
Abstract
Professional associations face the challenge of member engagement. This study examined the effects of members’ need fulfillment and perceived organizational support on their attitude toward the professional association and engagement with the association with a survey of 13,229 members from 18 associations. More specifically, this analysis focused on members’ perceptions of need fulfillment and organizational support as motivations of member engagement. Our results suggested that member perception of need fulfillment and organizational support positively influenced their attitude toward their association, which was positively related to their engagement with the association in volunteering and donating funds. In addition, members’ perceived support from the association was found to motivate their engagement with the association. Moreover, we identified gaps in members’ volunteering behavior between junior and senior members: career status significantly moderated the relationship between attitude toward and volunteering for the association, with junior members showing a stronger effect. The theoretical and practical implications of this study were discussed.
Keywords
Need fulfillment Perceived organizational support Member engagement Volunteering Donation Professional associationRésumé
Les associations professionnelles font face à des problèmes relatifs à l’engagement de leurs membres. La présente étude se penche sur les effets qu’ont la satisfaction des besoins des membres et le soutien organisationnel perçu par eux sur leur attitude et leur engagement envers leur association professionnelle. Pour ce faire, nous avons questionné 13,229 membres de 18 associations. Cette analyse porte plus précisément sur la perception des membres quant à l’importance qu’ont la satisfaction des besoins et le soutien organisationnel en tant que facteurs d’incitation à l’engagement. Nos résultats suggèrent que la perception des membres sur la satisfaction des besoins et le soutien organisationnel a une influence positive sur leur attitude envers leur association, ce qui se traduit par des résultats positifs en termes de bénévolat et de dons. De plus, le soutien que les membres pensent recevoir de leur association les incite à s’engager. Qui plus est, nous avons identifié des écarts dans les comportements des membres bénévoles jeunes et plus vieux: l’état professionnel modère largement la relation entre l’attitude envers l’association et le bénévolat fait en son nom, et les jeunes membres sont plus fortement touchés. Nous discutons des implications théoriques et pratiques de ladite étude.
Zusammenfassung
Professionelle Verbände stehen vor der Herausforderung, Mitglieder zu engagieren. Diese Studie untersuchte anhand einer Befragung von 13.229 Mitgliedern von 18 Verbänden, wie sich die Erfüllung von Mitgliederbedürfnissen und die empfundene Unterstützung seitens der Organisation auf die Haltung der Mitglieder gegenüber des professionellen Verbandes und ihr Engagement bei dem Verband auswirkten. Insbesondere konzentrierte sich die Analyse darauf, wie die Wahrnehmung der Mitglieder mit Hinblick auf die Erfüllung ihrer Bedürfnisse und die Unterstützung seitens der Organisation das Mitglieder-Engagement motivierte. Die Ergebnisse deuteten darauf hin, dass sich die Wahrnehmung der Mitglieder hinsichtlich der Erfüllung ihrer Bedürfnisse und der Unterstützung seitens der Organisation positiv auf ihre Haltung gegenüber des Verbands auswirkte, was wiederum in einem positiven Verhältnis zu einem ehrenamtlichen Engagement und geleisteten Geldspenden für den Verband stand. Des Weiteren zeigte sich, dass die von den Mitgliedern wahrgenommene Unterstützung seitens des Verbands sie motivierte, sich für den Verband zu engagieren. Darüber hinaus sah man Unterschiede zwischen dem ehrenamtlichen Engagement von neuen und langjährigen Mitgliedern: Der Karriere-Status hatte einen bedeutend moderierenden Effekt auf die Beziehung zwischen der Haltung gegenüber des Verbands und einer ehrenamtlichen Tätigkeit bei dem Verband, wobei der Effekt bei neuen Mitgliedern stärker war. Die theoretischen und praktischen Implikationen dieser Studie werden diskutiert.
Resumen
Las asociaciones profesionales se enfrentan al desafío del compromiso de sus miembros. El presente estudio examinó los efectos de la satisfacción de las necesidades de los miembros y el apoyo de la organización percibido sobre su actitud hacia la asociación profesional y el compromiso con la asociación mediante una encuesta de 13.229 miembros de 18 asociaciones. En concreto, este análisis se centró en las percepciones por parte de los miembros de la satisfacción de las necesidades y el apoyo de la organización como motivaciones para el compromiso de los miembros. Nuestros resultados sugirieron que la percepción por parte de los miembros de la satisfacción de las necesidades y el apoyo de la organización influyeron positivamente en su actitud hacia su asociación, que estaba relacionada de manera positiva con su compromiso con la asociación en el voluntariado y en la donación de fondos. Asimismo, se encontró que el apoyo de la asociación percibido por los miembros motivaba su compromiso con la asociación. Igualmente, identificamos diferencias en el comportamiento con respecto al voluntario de los miembros entre miembros jóvenes y mayores: el estatus de la carrera moderaba de manera significativa la relación entre la actitud hacia la asociación y la realización de voluntariado para la asociación, mostrando un efecto más fuerte los miembros jóvenes. Se tratan tas implicaciones teóricas y prácticas del presente estudio.
摘要
专业协会面临着成员管理的挑战。通过调查来自18家协会的13,229位成员,本研究调查了成员的需求满足和可感知的组织支持对他们有关专业协会的态度,以及参与协会的影响。更具体地说,本分析专注于成员对需求满足和组织支持的感知作为成员参与的动机。我们的结果表明,成员的需求满足和组织支持感知会积极影响其对协会的态度,其态度与参与协会的志愿活动和捐赠资金活动积极相关。此外,成员对协会支持的感知被认为会激励其参与协会。此外,我们确定了初级和资深成员之间的志愿行为差距:职业状态显著缓和成员对协会的态度及其志愿活动之间的关系,初级成员表现的影响更强。本研究同时 讨论了理论和实践意义。
要約
職能団体はメンバーの従事の問題に直面している。本研究ではメンバーに必要な論文の効果、18団体13,227人の会員の調査をもとに、組織の確約と職能団体の組織的な姿勢を調査する。さらに具体的にいうと、本分析ではメンバーの業務の動機付けとして要求の達成度と組織の支援に焦点を当てる。結果から要求による達成度と組織の支援は、組織の姿勢に肯定的に影響を与えて、ボランティア活動および資金付与は組織の業務に肯定的に関与した。組織におけるメンバーの支援は組織の業務を動機づけることが明らかになった。さらに会員と年数の浅い会員と長い会員のボランティア活動のギャップが明らかになり、社会的地位が年数の浅い会員に強い影響をもたらした。ボランティアの姿勢と活動の関係を著しく低減させることがわかった。本研究では、理論的かつ実践的な結果について議論する。
ملخص
تواجه الرابطات المهنية التحدي المتمثل في مشاركة الأعضاء. قد بحثت هذه الدراسة آثار حاجة الأعضاء إلى تحقيق وفهم الدعم التنظيمي على موقفهم من الارتباط المهني والمشاركة مع الجمعية بإستطلاع رأي 13229 عضوا من 18 جمعية. بشكل أكثر تحديدا”، ركز هذا التحليل على تصورات الأعضاء حول الحاجة إلى الإنجاز والدعم التنظيمي كدوافع لمشاركة الأعضاء. و إقترحت نتائجنا أن تصور الأعضاء عن الحاجة إلى الإنجاز والدعم التنظيمي أثرت إيجابيا” على موقفهم من إرتباطهم، والذي كان مرتبطا” إرتباطا” إيجابيا” مع مشاركتهم مع الجمعية في العمل التطوعي والتبرع بالأموال. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، حددنا أن دعم الأعضاء المتصور من الجمعية يحفز مشاركتهم مع الجمعية. علاوة على ذلك، حددنا فجوات في سلوك التطوع لدى الأعضاء بين صغار السن وكبار السن: فقد أدى الوضع الوظيفي إلى إضعاف العلاقة بين االتجاه نحو العمل التطوعي والجمعيات، حيث أظهر الأعضاء صغار السن تأثيرا” أقوى. تمت مناقشة الآثار النظرية والعملية لهذه الدراسة.
Notes
Funding
This study was funded by the Institute for Nonprofit Research, Education, and Engagement at North Carolina State University.
Compliance with ethical standards
Conflict of interest
The corresponding author, Eyun-Jung Ki, has received research grants from the Institute for Nonprofit Research, Education, and Engagement at North Carolina State University.
References
- Albirini, A. (2006). Teachers’ attitudes toward information and communication technologies: The case of Syrian EFL teachers. Computers & Education, 47, 373–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2004.10.013.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Allen, N. J., & Meyer, J. P. (1990). The measurement and antecedents of affective, continuance and normative commitment to the organization. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.1990.tb00506.x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Andreoni, J. (1990). Impure altruism and donations to public goods: A theory of warm-glow giving. The Economic Journal, 100, 464–477. https://doi.org/10.2307/2234133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Barry, T. E., & Howard, D. J. (1990). A review and critique of the hierarchy of effects in advertising. International Journal of Advertising, 9, 121–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.1990.11107138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Baumgartner, H., & Homburg, C. (1996). Applications of structural equation modeling in marketing and consumer research: A review. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 13, 139–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8116(95)00038-0.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Becker, G. (1974). A theory of social interactions. Journal of Political Economy, 82, 1063–1093. https://doi.org/10.3386/w0042.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indices in structural equation models. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 238–246. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.238.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Bentler, P. M., & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588–606. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.88.3.588.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Brudney, J. L. (1990). Fostering volunteer programs in the public sector. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
- Bucher, R., & Stelling, J. (1969). Characteristics of professional organizations. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 10, 3–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 14, 464–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705510701301834.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Diener, E., & Lucas, R. E. (2000). Explaining differences in societal levels of happiness: Relative standards, need fulfillment, culture, and evaluation theory. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1, 41–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.79.4.617.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Eisenberger, R., Cummings, J., Aemeli, S., & Lynch, P. (1997). Perceived organizational support, discretionary treatment, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 812–820. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.82.5.812.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Eisenberger, R., Fasolo, E. M., & Davis-LaMastro, V. (1990). Perceived organizational support and employee diligence, commitment, and innovation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 53, 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.75.1.51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Eisenberger, R., Huntington, R., Hutchison, S., & Sowa, D. (1986). Perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71, 500–507. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.75.1.51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar
- Freidson, E. (1994). Professionalism reborn: Theory, prophecy, and policy. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
- Gazley, B. (2013). Predicting a volunteer’s future intentions in professional associations: A test of the Penner model. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 42, 1245–1267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764012453207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Gazley, B., & Dignam, M. (2008). The decision to volunteer: Why people give their time and how you can engage them. Washington, DC: ASAE & the Center for Association Leadership.Google Scholar
- George, J. M., & Brief, A. P. (1992). Feeling good-doing good: A conceptual analysis of the mood at work-organizational spontaneity relationship. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 310–329. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.2.310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Gruen, T. W. (2000). Membership customers and relationship marketing. In A. Parvatiyar & J. N. Sheth (Eds.), Handbook of relationship marketing (pp. 355–380). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Grunig, L. A., Grunig, J. E., & Dozier, D. M. (Eds.). (2002). Effective public relations and effective organizations: A study of communication management in three countries. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.Google Scholar
- Guzzo, R. A., Noonan, K. A., & Elron, E. (1994). Expatriate managers and the psychological contract. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79, 617–626. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.79.4.617.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Haddad, M. A. (2004). Community determinates of volunteer participation and the promotion of civic health: The case of Japan. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 33(3S), 8S–31S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764004265434.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Hager, M. A. (2014). Engagement motivations in professional associations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 43(2S), 39S–60S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764013502582.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Halley, L. (2015). Top challenges with volunteer engagement & retention. Wild Apricot Membership Academy. Retrieved from http://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2015/05/13/top-challenges-with-volunteer-engagement-retention.
- Hoffman, L. H., & Eveland, W. P., Jr. (2010). Assessing causality in the relationship between community attachment and local news media use. Mass Communication and Society, 13, 174–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205430903012144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Jackson, E. F., Bachmeier, M. D., Wood, J. R., & Craft, E. A. (1995). Volunteering and charitable giving: Do religious and associational ties promote helping behavior? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 24, 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/089976409502400108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Kahn, W. A. (1990). Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work. Academy of Management Journal, 33, 692–724. https://doi.org/10.2307/256287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Kanfer, R., & Ackerman, P. L. (2004). Aging, adult development, and work motivation. Academy of Management Review, 29, 440–458. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.2004.13670969.Google Scholar
- Ki, E.-J., & Hon, L. C. (2007). Testing the linkages among the organization-public relationship and attitude and behavioral intentions. Journal of Public Relations Research, 19, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10627260709336593.Google Scholar
- Ki, E.-J., & Hon, L. C. (2012). Causal linkages among relationship quality perception, attitude, and behavior intention in a membership organization. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 17, 187–208. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563281211220274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Ki, E.-J., & Wang, Y. (2016). Membership benefits matter: Exploring the factors influencing members’ behavioral intentions in professional associations. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 27, 199–217. https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.21230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Knoke, D. (1986). Associations and interest groups. Annual Review of Sociology, 12, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.so.12.080186.000245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Kolar, C. (2015). Challenges for professional associations: Millennial engagement. Retrieved from http://www.webbrightservices.com/the-association-blog/challenges-for-professionalassociations-millennial-engagement.
- Lavidge, R. J., & Steiner, G. A. (1961). A model for predictive measurements of advertising effectiveness. Journal of Marketing, 25, 59–62. https://doi.org/10.2307/1248516.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Lindenmann, W. K. (2002). Guidelines for measuring the effectiveness of PR programs and activities. Gainesville, FL: Institute for Public Relations.Google Scholar
- Lynch, P. D., Eisenberger, R., & Armeli, S. (1999). Perceived organizational support: Inferior versus superior performance by wary employees. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 467–483. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.84.4.467.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Magat, R. (1989). Philanthropic giving: Studies in varieties and goals. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
- Markova, G., Ford, R. C., Dickson, D. R., & Bohn, T. M. (2013). Professional associations and members’ benefits: What’s in it for me? Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 23, 491–510. https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.21076.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper and Row.Google Scholar
- Masterson, S. S., & Stamper, C. L. (2003). Perceived organizational membership: An aggregate framework representing the employee-organization relationship. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 24, 473–490. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- McGuire, W. J. (1986). The myth of massive media impact: Savagings and salvagings. In G. Comstock (Ed.), Public communication and behavior (Vol. 1, pp. 173–257). Orlando, FL: Academic Press.Google Scholar
- McMillan, D. W., & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 6–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6629(198601)14:1<6:AID-JCOP2290140103>3.0.CO;2-I.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Mein, D. G. (2002). Research productivity and career status. Applied Economics Letters, 9, 809–815. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504850210141708.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- MemberWise (2016). Harnessing the web to drive membership value and growth: Research summary report 2016. Retrieved from http://memberwise.org.uk/htw2016researchsummaryreport/.
- Murray, K. B., & Vogel, C. M. (1997). Using a hierarchy-of-effects approach to gauge the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility to generate goodwill toward the firm: Financial versus nonfinancial impacts. Journal of Business Research, 38, 141–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(96)00061-6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Musick, M. A., & Wilson, J. (2008). Volunteers: A social profile. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.Google Scholar
- Nesbit, R., & Gazley, B. (2012). Patterns of volunteer activity in professional associations and societies. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 23, 558–583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-011-9218-0.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Olson, M. (1965). The logic of collective action: Public goods and the theory of groups. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
- Park, H., & Reber, B. H. (2011). The organization-public relationship and crisis communication: The effect of the organization-public relationship on publics’ perceptions of crisis and attitudes toward the organization. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 5(4), 240–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Penner, L. A., & Finkelstein, M. A. (1998). Dispositional and structural determinants of volunteerism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 525–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.2.525.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Piccoli, G., Brohman, M. K., Watson, R. T., & Parasuraman, A. (2004). Net-based customer service systems: Evolution and revolution in Web site functionalities. Decision Sciences, 35, 423–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0011-7315.2004.02620.x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Porter, L. W. (1962). Job attitudes in management: I. Perceived deficiencies in need fulfillment as a function of job level. Journal of Applied Psychology, 46, 375–384. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0047808.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Ray, M. L. (1973). Marketing communication and the hierarchy-of-effects. In P. Clarke (Ed.), New models for mass communication research (pp. 146–175). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
- Rhoades, L., & Eisenberger, R. (2002). Perceived organizational support: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 698–714. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.4.698.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Rosenberg, M. J., & Hovland, C. I. (1963). Cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of attitudes. In M. J. Rosenberg, C. I. Hovland, W. J. McGuire, R. P. Aberlson, & J. W. Brehm (Eds.), Attitude organization and change: An analysis of consistency among attitude components (pp. 1–57). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
- Rousseau, D. M. (1989). Psychological and implied contracts in organizations. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 2, 121–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01384942.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Rusaw, A. C. (1995). Learning by association: Professional associations as learning agents. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 6, 215–226. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.3920060209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Severin, W. J., & Tankard, J. W., Jr. (2001). Communication theories: Origins, methods, and uses in the mass media. San Francisco, CA: Longman.Google Scholar
- Shore, L. M., & Shore, T. H. (1995). Perceived organizational support and organizational justice. In R. Cropanzano & K. M. Kacmar (Eds.), Organizational politics, justice, and support: Managing social climate at work (pp. 149–164). Westport, CT: Quorum Press.Google Scholar
- Shore, L. M., & Wayne, S. J. (1993). Commitment and employee behavior: Comparison of affective commitment and continuance commitment with perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 774–780. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.78.5.774.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Sivo, S. A., Saunders, C., Chang, Q., & Jiang, J. J. (2006). How low should you go? Low response rates and the validity of inference in IS questionnaire research. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 7, 351–414.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Smith, J. D. (1999). Poor marketing or the decline of altruism? Young people and volunteering in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 4, 372–377. https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Sundeen, R. A., & Raskoff, S. A. (1995). Teenage volunteers and their values. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 24, 337–357. https://doi.org/10.1177/089976409502400406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Tschirhart, M. (2006). Nonprofit membership associations. In W. W. Power & R. Steinberg (Eds.), The nonprofit sector: A research handbook (2nd ed., pp. 523–541). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
- Tschirhart, M., & Gazley, B. (2014). Advancing scholarship on membership associations: New research and next steps. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 43(2S), 3S–17S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764013517052.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Wayne, S. J., Shore, L. M., & Liden, R. C. (1997). Perceived organizational support and leader-member exchange: A social exchange perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 40, 82–111. https://doi.org/10.2307/257021.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Webb, N. J., & Abzug, R. (2008). Do occupational group members vary in volunteering activity? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 37, 689–708. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764008314809.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Wilson, J. (2000). Volunteering. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 215–240. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Witt, L. A. (1991). Exchange ideology as a moderator of job attitudes-organizational citizenship behaviors relationships. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 21, 1490–1501. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1991.tb00483.x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar