An investigation into the motivations for volunteering at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Abstract

It is generally accepted that the success of mega-events is reliant on the time, commitment, and skills provided by volunteers (Strigas and Jackson, 2003). The scale and changing locations associated with mega-events means that there is an even greater need to attract volunteers than there is for any other type of event (Grenn and Chalip, 2004). In order to effectively attract, manage, and retain volunteers, it is crucial that mega-event organisers understand what it is that motivates people to volunteer. Research has been conducted into the motivations of mega-event volunteers, however there is little research into the motivations of individuals who volunteered for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This study aims to fill this gap in the literature by investigating the motivations of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games volunteers. This was achieved by surveying 111 Glasgow 2014 volunteers and conducting face-to-face interviews with three members of the Glasgow 2014 volunteer recruitment and management team. This study found that the most prominent motivating factors for Glasgow 2014 volunteers were a desire to help others and to give back to the community. This suggests that Glasgow 2014 volunteers were predominantly intrinsically motivated, and that altruism played an integral part in their decision to volunteer. The findings of this study are valuable to bodies within Glasgow who may be looking to increase volunteering in the city on the back of the 2014 Games.