Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Motivation among hospital volunteers: an empirical analysis in Portugal

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify the different types of motivations in hospital volunteers. We present a literature review about different types of motivation and we collect data from hospital volunteers through a questionnaire. Four different motivation categories are identified: development and learning, altruism, career recognition and belonging and protection. The main motivations expressed are development and learning, followed by altruism. Belonging and protection, followed by career recognition are the least cited motivations. Career recognition is negatively correlated with age, and belonging/ protection is negatively correlated with education. That is, younger volunteers present more career recognition motives and less educated volunteers have more from protection and belonging. This study encompasses hospital volunteers and their motivations. The paper is useful to policy makers aiming to develop targeted approaches to attracting and retaining volunteers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. We changed items 17 and 23 because we considered that the original text was not very adequate for the Portuguese reality.

References

  • Alfansi L, Atmaja FT (2009) Service failure and complaint behavior in the public hospital industry: the Indonesian experience. J Nonprofit Public Sect Mark 21(3):309–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allison LD, Okun MA, Dutridge KS (2002) Assessing volunteer motives: a comparison of an open-ended probe and Likert Rating Scales. J Commun Appl Soc Psychol 12(4):243–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson MJ, Shaw RN (1999) A comparative evaluation of qualitative data analytic techniques in identifying volunteer motivation in tourism. Tour Manag 20(1):99–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batson CD, Ahmad N, Tsang J-A (2002) Four motives for community involvement. J Soc Issues 58(3):429–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ner A, Hoomissen TV (1991) Nonprofits in the mixed economy: a demand and supply analysis. Ann Public Coope Econ 62(4):519–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloom PN (1997) Field of marketing and public policy: introduction and overview. J Public Policy Mark 16(1):126–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Borzaga C, Santuari A (2003) New trends in the non-profit sector in Europe: the emergence of social entrepreneurship. In: OECD (ed) The non-profit sector in a changing economy. Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Braga A, Carvalho A (2010) A Influência dos Stakeholders no Processo de Tomada de Decisão em Entidades Locais Sem Fins Lucrativos—uma Revisão de Literatura. Paper presented at the 16º Congresso da APDR, Funchal - Madeira - Portugal

  • Briggs E, Peterson M, Gregory G (2010) Toward a better understanding of volunteering for nonprofit organizations: explaining volunteers’ pro-social attitudes. J Macromark 30(1):61–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruyere B, Rappe S (2007) Identifying the motivations of environmental volunteers. J Environ Plan Manag 50(4):503–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns DJ, Reid JS, Toncar M, Fawcett J, Anderson C (2006) Motivations to volunteer: the role of altruism. Int Rev Public NonProfit Mark 3(2):79–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns DJ, Reid J, Toncar M, Anderson C, Wells C (2008) The effect of gender on the motivation of members of generation Y college students to volunteer. J Nonprofit Public Sect Mark 19(1):99–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bussell H, Forbes D (2002) Understanding the volunteer market: the what, where, who and why of volunteering. Int J Nonprofit Volunt Sect Mark 7(3):244–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Celdrán M, Villar F (2007) Volunteering among older Spanish adults: does the type of organization matter? Educ Gerontol 33(3):237–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chacón F, Vecina ML (1999) Análisis de la Fiabilidad de un Cuestionario de Motivaciones del Voluntariado en Sida. Psicothema 11(1):211–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Clary E, Snyder M, Ridge R, Copeland J, Stukas A, Haugen J, Miene P (1998) Understanding and assessing the motivations of volunteers: a functional approach. J Personal Soc Psychol 74(6):1516–1530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cnaan RA, Goldberg-Glen RS (1991) Measuring motivation to volunteer in human services. J Appl Behav Sci 27(3):269–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuskelly G, Harrington M (1997) Volunteers and leisure: evidence of marginal and career voluntarism in sport. World Leis Recreat 39(3):11–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuskelly G, Hoye R, Auld C (2006) Working with volunteers in sport. Routledge, Abingdon

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards D (2005) Understanding the organization of volunteers at visitor attractions. University of Western Sydney, Sidney

    Google Scholar 

  • Esmond J, Dunlop P (2004) Developing the volunteer motivation inventory. Lotterywest - CLAN WA, Perth

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell J, Johnston M, Twynam G (1998) Volunteer motivation, satisfaction, and management at an elite sporting competition. J Sport Manag 12(4):288–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira S (2004) O Que Tem de Especial o Empreendedor Social? O Perfil de Emprego do Empresário Social em Portugal. Paper presented at the VIII Congreso Luso-Afro-Brasileiro de Ciências Sociais, Coimbra

  • Ferreira MR, Proença JF, Proença T (2008) As Motivações no Trabalho Voluntário. Rev Port Bras Gest 7(3):43–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira MR, Proença T, Proença JF (2012) Organisational influence on volunteer satisfaction and attitudes towards HRM practices: the case of hospital volunteers. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 9(1):27–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco RC, Sokolowski SW, Hairel EMH, Salamon LM (2005) O Sector Não Lucrativo Português Numa Perspectiva Comparada. http://www.jhu.edu/~cnp/pdf/Portugal_Nat_Rpt_Portuguese.pdf (accessed in January 2008): Uniarte Gráfica

  • Freeman RE (1984) Strategic management: a stakeholder approach. Harper Collins, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisch MB, Gerrard M (1981) Natural helping systems: a survey of Red Cross volunteers. Am J Commun Psychol 9(5):567–579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frooman J (1999) Stakeholder influence strategy. Acad Manag Rev 24(2):191–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Grano C, Lucidi F, Zelli A, Violani C (2008) Motives and determinants of volunteering in older adults: an integrated model. J Aging and Hum Dev 67(4):305–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair JF, Anderson RE, Tatham RL, Black WC (1998) Multivariate data analysis, 5th edn. Prentice Hall International

  • Horton-Smith D (1981) Altruism, volunteers and volunteerism. Nonprofit Volunt Sect Q 10(1):21–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsieh J, Curtis KP, Smith AW (2008) Implications of stakeholder concept and market orientation in the US nonprofit arts context. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 5(1):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hustinx L, Lammertyn F (2003) Collective and reflexive styles of volunteering: a sociological modernization perspective. Voluntas: Int J Volunt Nonprofit Organ 14(2):167–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • INE (2001) Número de Hospitais por Localização Geográfica (NUTS—2001) e Natureza institucional: INE

  • INE (2005) População Activa, Inquérito ao Emprego: INE

  • Kemp S (2002) The hidden workforce: volunteers’ learning in the olympics. J Eur Ind Train 26(2–4):109–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim M, Chelladurai P, Trail GT (2007) A model of volunteer retention in youth sport. J Sport Manag 21(2):151–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Latham GP (2007) Work motivation. Sage

  • Lee Y-J, Won D (2011) Attributes influencing college students’ participation in volunteering: a conjoint analysis. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 8(2):149–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis D (2001) Management of non-governmental development organizations: an introduction. Routledge, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Manfredo MJ, Driver BL, Tarrant MA (1996) Measuring leisure motivation: a meta-analysis of the recreation experience preferences scales. J Leis Res 28(3):188–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcuello CS, Marcuello CS, García IM (2009) Una Aproximación al Voluntariado en Europa. Panorama Social 9(Primer Semestre): 98–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslow A (1943) A theory of human motivation. Psychol Rev 50(4):370–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maslow A (1987) Motivation and personality, 3rd edn. Addison-Wesley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Meier S, Stutzer A (2004) Is volunteering rewarding in itself? IZA Discussion Paper 1045:1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer J, Gagné M (2008) Employee engagement from a self-determination theory perspective. Ind Organ Psychol 1(1):60–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Monroe KR (1996) The heart of altruism. Princeton University Press

  • Musick MA, Wilson J (2008) Volunteers—a social profile. Indiana University Press, Bloomington

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2003) The non-profit sector in a changing economy. Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Okun MA, Schultz A (2003) Age and motives for volunteering: testing hypotheses derived from socioemotional selectivity theory. Psychol Aging 18(2):231–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okun MA, Barr A, Herzog AR (1998) Motivation to volunteer by older adults: a test of competing measurement models. Psychol Aging 13(4):608–621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papadakis K, Griffin T, Frater J (2004) Understanding volunteers’ motivations. Paper presented at the Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Newtown

  • Pestana MH, Gageiro JN (2003) Análise de Dados para Ciências Sociais. Edições Sílabo, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips M (1982) Motivation and expectation in successful volunteerism. Nonprofit and Volunt Sect Q 11(2/3):118–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope JA, Isely ES, Asamoa-Tutu F (2009) Developing a marketing strategy for nonprofit organizations: an exploratory study. J Nonprofit Public Sect Mark 21(2):184–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prouteau L, Wolff F-C (2008) On the relational motive for volunteer work. J Econ Psychol 29(3):314–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raman P, Pashupati K (2002) Turning good citizens into even better ones: the impact of program characteristics and motivations on service learning outcomes. J Nonprofit Public Sect Mark 10(2):187–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randle M, Dolnicar S (2009) Not just any volunteers: segmenting the market to attract the high contributors. J Nonprofit Public Sect Mark 21(3):271–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoden S, Ineson EM, Ralston R (2009) Volunteer motivation in heritage railways: a study of the West Somerset Railway volunteers. J Herit Tour 4(1):19–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slaughter L, Home R (2004) Motivations of long term volunteers: human service vs events. Paper presented at the Las Vegas International Hospitality & Convention Summit, Las Vegas

  • Soupourmas F, Ironmonger D (2002) Giving time: the economic and social value of volunteering in Victoria. Department of Human Services, Victoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Tapp JT, Spanier D (1973) Personal characteristics of volunteer phone counselors. J Consult Clin Psychol 41(2):245–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trogdon SE (2005) A study of parks and recreation citizen board members in North Carolina and their motivation for participation. North Carolina State University

  • Wei Y, Donthu N, Bernhardt KL (2012) Volunteerism of older adults in the United States. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 9(1):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson A, Pimm G (1996) The tyranny of the volunteer: the care and feeding of voluntary workforce. MCB University Press 34:24–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Wymer W (2011) The implications of sex differences on volunteer preferences. Voluntas: Int J Volunt Nonprofit Organ 22(4):831–851

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wymer W (2012) Gender differences in social support in the decision to volunteer. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 9(1):19–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yavas U, Riecken G (1985) Can volunteers be targeted? J Acad Mark Sci 13(2):218–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshioka CF, Brown WA, Ashcraft RF (2007) A functional approach to senior volunteer and non-volunteer motivations. Int J Volunt Admin XXIV(5):31–43

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

figure a

The author João F. Proenca thanks Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT Portugal) for financial support to ADVANCE by the Multi-Year Funding Program for R&D Units. The author Teresa Proença thanks Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT Portugal) for financial support to CEGE by the Multi-Year Funding Program for R&D Units.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Porto, Faculty of Economics, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-464, Porto, Portugal

    Marisa R. Ferreira

  2. University of Porto, Faculty of Economics, CEF.UP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-464, Porto, Portugal

    Teresa Proença

  3. School of Management and Technology of Felgueiras, CIICESI, Porto Polytechnic Institute, Casa do Curral, 4610-156, Felgueiras, Portugal

    Marisa R. Ferreira

  4. University of Porto, Faculty of Economics, ADVANCE, ISEG, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-464, Porto, Portugal

    João F. Proença

Authors
  1. Marisa R. Ferreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Teresa Proença
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. João F. Proença
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marisa R. Ferreira.

Appendix 1—Internal consistency

Appendix 1—Internal consistency

Table 5 Internal consistency
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferreira, M.R., Proença, T. & Proença, J.F. Motivation among hospital volunteers: an empirical analysis in Portugal. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 9, 137–152 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12208-012-0083-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12208-012-0083-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation