Exploring the Impact of Volunteer Support on Volunteer Motivation to Improve Volunteer Retention in the Bavarian Red Cross.

Abstract

Results from previous studies have indicated that volunteering is a complex phe-nomenon involving contradictory findings. There is a gap in current literature regard-ing the effect of support from organisations on volunteer motivation and retention. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore and identify key motivating factors and the impact of volunteer support on volunteer motivation. While previous studies primarily used either a quantitative or qualitative approach, this study applied a mixed-method research methodology to the collection of data through an online survey of 995 volunteers of the Bavarian Red Cross and semi-structured interviews of 15 volunteer managers of the Bavarian Red Cross, which is the largest secular aid organisation in Bavaria managed by a board of volunteers. The study builds on multiple theories such as Development Ecology Theory, Expec-tancy Theory, Volunteer Personality Model, Role-Identity Model, and assessing moti-vation considering functional and self-determination theories. The study regards these different dimensions to develop a holistic approach to tackling the complexity of volunteerism. While a high level of complexity of motivation factors in the field of study is fully sup-ported, the results suggest that – based on a multi-theory approach of person-centred theories such as Functional Motivation Theory, Expectancy Theory and Self-Determination Theory – organisations can foster volunteer retention by primarily supporting intrinsic motivation, that they should emphasise community, socialise the context of volunteering and collaborative aid, and seek to convert egoistic motives into humanitarian priorities. The study concludes by presenting a manageable model for volunteer organisations to effectively improve volunteer retention. This study can contribute to better understand volunteerism and inform governance and leadership of aid organisations on types of support to enhance long-term volunteer retention. Aid organisations and volunteer managers should administer the proposed Volunteer Re-tention Model to maximise volunteer retention within their organisation.