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The matching of motivations to affordances among Maltese elected local government volunteers: Implications for sustaining civil society

Frank Bezzina (Department of Management, University of Malta, Msida, Malta)
Vincent Cassar (Department of Management, University of Malta, Msida, Malta)
Joseph G. Azzopardi (Department of Management, University of Malta, Msida, Malta)
Peter McKiernan (Department of Strategy and Organisation, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK)

Journal of Global Responsibility

ISSN: 2041-2568

Article publication date: 14 September 2015

188

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to both understand the motives for volunteering in local government (a strong/structured context) and determine how such motivation and other demographics interact with organisational contexts to influence volunteering outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a functional approach to volunteerism. The Volunteer Functions Inventory is modified to better assess the motivations of elected local government volunteers. The responses of 152 Maltese local councillors were used to answer four research questions empirically.

Findings

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the introduction of a seventh VFI dimension, namely the political function. The study provides evidence that local councillors who received greater amounts of functionally relevant benefits reported more satisfaction and a stronger intention to continue volunteering in local government. The aggregated effect of multiple motives as well as other person-based determinants (marital status and education) produced a significant impact on volunteering outcomes in this strong/structured situational context of this public sector environment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding and assessment of the motivations of elected local government volunteers. It addresses practical recommendations for sustaining civil society, while acknowledging the potential and contribution of volunteers with various demographic characteristics.

Keywords

Citation

Bezzina, F., Cassar, V., Azzopardi, J.G. and McKiernan, P. (2015), "The matching of motivations to affordances among Maltese elected local government volunteers: Implications for sustaining civil society", Journal of Global Responsibility, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 178-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGR-04-2015-0004

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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