Motivation of Volunteering in Major Sporting Event Assignment

Running head: MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
Motivation of Volunteering in Major Sporting Event
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
Table of Contents
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................2
2. Literature Review.....................................................................................................................3
2.1 Motivations for volunteers.....................................................................................................3
2.2 Self Determination Theory....................................................................................................4
2.3 Modified Volunteer Function Inventory................................................................................4
2.4 Singapore Grand Pix (F1)......................................................................................................5
2.5 Roles and Responsibilities in Singapore Grand Prix.............................................................6
Importance of volunteers in Singapore Grand Prix.....................................................................6
3. Research aims...........................................................................................................................9
4. Research objectives..................................................................................................................9
5. Research Question....................................................................................................................9
6. Research hypothesis...............................................................................................................10
7. Research methods...................................................................................................................10
7.1 Data collection and Processed.............................................................................................11
7.2 Analysis...............................................................................................................................13
8. Proposed timetable of the Research.......................................................................................13
9. References..............................................................................................................................15

2MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
1. Introduction
Extensive importance has been given on the role of volunteers in sport events since past
few decades. Volunteers are recognized as one of core components for delivering sports service.
In any grand sport event, there are a number of roles and responsibilities to be played. These
responsibilities cannot be fulfilled without the support of volunteers (Pierce et al., 2014). With
the support of the volunteers administer authority becomes able to deliver services in an orderly
manner. Responsible volunteers also extend support for improving quality of services and bring
diversity in the services of sport organization. There are several roles performed by sports
volunteers. They raise funds necessary for organizing the sport events. They often play roles as
coaches or administrators. Participation and need of volunteers are observed at different levels of
sport events (Allen & Bartle, 2014). Volunteers work for sport program organized by local
community as well as in continental or world championships. Those organized by sport
organization at national and international level and for event production the need of volunteers
are equally important. Many studies have found necessity of volunteer group for feasibility of
organized sport system and indicate difficulty to survive on part of the organizers. At major
sport, events like Olympic or FIFA World Cup sports organizers generally employ a large pool
of volunteers to assist to athletes, the large number of spectators or visitors attaining the events.
In context of enormous importance of volunteers in sports events at every level, the
present study is designed to the capture the volunteer’s motivation in one such major sport event
namely, Singapore Grand Pix (F1). Research in finding motivation for volunteers’ participation
has significant importance for two aspects. First, the motivation of individual volunteer reflects
from a theoretical and practical perspective the actuality and continuity for volunteer activity.
Second, research in this area further explores the notion of future participation and commitment

3MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
for volunteer services. Therefore, identification of volunteer motivation not only limited to
theoretical and practical contribution of volunteer in a major sport events but also points towards
future intention and scope in this direction (Aisbett, Randle & Kappelides, 2015). In the current
study motivation factor for volunteers in Singapore Grand Pix (F1) are evaluated with
assessment of participation rate and satisfactory factors.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Motivations for volunteers
In sport events, volunteers participate for a number of reasons. Theorem of altruism and
selflessness offer one aspect of historical understanding regarding the motivation of volunteer
participation. This theory suggests that primary driving factor to work as a volunteer comes from
desire to help others. In addition to this, other factor influencing volunteer participation also
needs mention and helps to understand the practice of event management. The notion of
cotemporary volunteering more often involve expectation and project orientation in terms of
time, form and involvement of volunteers. In this context, there are several studies conducted on
different motivations for volunteerism. Some studies have found motivation in social services
such as social contact, personal interest of the individual, altruism and emotional needs. While
viewing volunteerism from the perspective of leisure activity, literature suggests the presence of
co-production motive (Lee et al., 2014). Study defines leisure volunteering as activities
undertaken not due to altruistic motive or help anonymously in market condition or help for a
cause but is simply done for experiencing leisure. Service of volunteers often pertains to
individual benefit or benefit for family members. This kind of service produces opportunities for
their own children such as taking the position of youth athletic coach. It also plays an important

4MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
role in assisting organization to present the overall event. Evidence also finds volunteers to offer
services for serving their own benefit. These kinds of benefits include link of interest in reference
to individual interest or need and often linked with benefits of friends or families. Specific
studies also found that the driving factor for volunteer service is not altruistic but often to meet
interest of the volunteers (Güntert, Neufeind & Wehner, 2015). Joining of volunteers in an
organization often resulted from financial motivation as well. There are different reasons and
motivation for volunteer services depending on the specific characteristic of events and
organizations involved in conducting the events.
2.2 Self Determination Theory
The self-determination theory corresponds to the idea of including different motives that
affect different behavior applicable to volunteers. In a paper developed by Allen and Bartle
(2014) analyzed relationship between motivation of individual volunteer and their work
engagement in British Women’s Golf based on the theory of self determination. Four different
motives are studied there- Intrinsic, identified, extrinsic motives and interjected regulation (Lee,
2016). The paper finds among the four motivations analyzed, the driving factor behind volunteer
engagement is intrinsic motivation and regulation that is moderately identified.
2.3 Modified Volunteer Function Inventory
The theory of Volunteer Function Inventory is developed based on idea that individual
volunteer comprised of different objectives. One volunteer may be motivated to build
relationship with other while other simply participates with objective of gain skill in career
building. Researchers argued that the theory is essential in assessing the motivation of volunteers
(Wright et al., 2015). It shows when concerned organization succeeds in meeting motivation and
expectation of volunteers then volunteers continue their services as they gain satisfaction.

5MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
Additionally, VFI is also applicable in measuring volunteers’ motivation in different
organizational context.
VFI comprises of six factors. These are Values, Social, Career, Understanding, Protective
and Enhancement (). Each of these factors addresses different aspects. Value refers to the scope
and opportunities provided to individual reflecting humanitarian and altruistic concerns for
others. The main objective of the volunteers is to help others. Social corresponds to opportunities
of being with others or involve in an activity that is regarded as favorably important by others.
Understanding refers to opportunities that that allow volunteers to learn new experiences,
abilities and skills. Enhancement means the development and growth of ego and a positive
striving of it. Career is the employment scope that volunteers might get from volunteer
workings. Protective is the own need of the volunteers to get involved in the volunteer activities
to eliminate own negative feelings (Hochstetler, 2014).
2.4 Singapore Grand Pix (F1)
The Singapore Grand Prix is a world famous motor race. This is a part of world
championship of formula one as organized by Federation International Automobile (FIA). Th.
Grand event is hosted in Marina Bay Street Circuit. It was considered as first street circuit in
Asia for formula one race. The race has held for eighteen times with the first being held in 1966.
The Grand prix in Singapore remain in calendar of F1 at least until 2021 in view of the attest
extension signed in 2017. The race begins at Midday GMT (8 pm local time). It is considered as
the European Grand Prix’s standard time (straitstimes.com 2017). In 2008, Formula one is
inaugurated with a five year agreement signed by the Singapore tourism board, Singapore GP Pte
Ltd and Bernie Ecclestone. In 2007, telecommunication company Sing Tel had announced to
sponsor the event. The show was televised on channel 5 known as Sing Tel Grid Girls. As

6MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
sponsored by Sing Tel the event was known as Sing Tel Singapore Grand Prix. Nearly, 110,000
tickets were available for the first Formula One Race of Singapore. Every year, the country
hosted this grand event (singaporegp.sg 2017).
2.5 Roles and Responsibilities in Singapore Grand Prix
In order to make the event successful, event managers divide the roles and
responsibilities in different categories. In the race operation, there are more than 150 roles. The
officials are not able to take the particular role of their choice but can only indicate their
preference for a particular category. There are three broad categories such as Race Control Roles,
Non Trackside Roles and Trackside roles. Under these broad categories, there are numbers of
other roles. Race Control Roles include Clerk of the Course, Chief of Communication,
Emergency Coordinator, Chief Observer and Chief CCTV controller
(Raceofficials.singaporegp.sg, 2017). The non-trackside roles include Secretary of events, Chief
Editor, Chief of Sign on and Steward. The Trackside roles involves roles of Sector chief or
Deputy Sector Chief, Trainee Sector chief, Flag marshal, Observer, Fire Marshal, Track
marshal, Crane operator, Chief Course marshal, Chief Medical official and recovery marshal
and others.
Importance of volunteers in Singapore Grand Prix
Singapore Grand Pix (F1) is a grand car race event that is organized in every year. It
gives attention to values such as transparency, equity, accessibility, professionalism and mutual
aid. The event managers also look for sustainable development. The objective of sustainable
development includes minimizing the impact the sport event on environment. While designing
the event, management gives importance to these principles. The volunteers have the
responsibilities to share these values. Visitors of the events first contact with the volunteers. The

7MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
Volunteers serve and make their sincere contribution to develop the Grand Prix as a successful
and quality event. The event organizers consider volunteers as an integral part of the event and
searching for honest, dynamics , working, helpful and sociable people (Holmes et al., 2015).
Apart from having the experience working for such a grand event, the volunteers are provided T-
Shirt with unique logo of ‘Team GP3R’, GP3R cap, party is given to the volunteers after
completion of the events an daily meal. Different responsibilities of volunteer are as follows
Information Desk
Volunteers at the information desk have the responsibility of providing information to the
public in different groups (Wagenaar, 2014). The volunteers here need to be dynamic, attentive
and should be able to learn at the quick pace.
Reception
Volunteers giving responsibility of reception should be ready to welcome people at every
doors, tents and lodges. They manage the access pass and check admission tickets. Welcome the
spectators with a smile (Hoye et al., 2015). The volunteers welcoming spectators should be
polite, respectful and smart. Teenagers from 15 years onwards are allowed to volunteer in
reception in guidance with experienced people.
Accreditation
Group of volunteer having responsibility of accreditation welcome all the interested
people coming for work record as an exhibitor or volunteer (Kilgallen, 2013). They have the
responsibility of recording worker and record hard copy of the access card. Volunteers here
should be available at day or night. They should posses IT knowledge. The volunteers should be

8MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
ready to work under pressure. The retired people are welcomed for accreditation (Fairley et al.,
2014). The volunteers preferred to have bilingual knowledge, though it is not compulsory.
Provision of Meals
Deliver lunches and water to the participants on time (Giulianotti, 2015).
On Site Security
The volunteers have the responsibility to circulate into paddocks and access bridges on
site. On site security, involve accessing control to the onsite buildings (Ringuet-Riot et al., 2014).
The volunteers enforce access to restricted zones and control other situation as well.
Logistics
The volunteers prepare beverage order, look after delivery at different point and also
ready to do other tasks as well.
Track Safety
The volunteers control access to race tracks. They assist the track marshal and do
circulation around the track. They should also ready to do other task (Masterman, 2014).
Volunteers needed for this grand event should have some common skills. All the
volunteers should be energetic, have ability to work as a team, should be energetic, should know
how to communicate with people and share information and should be comfortable to serve
public (Welty Peachey et al., 2014).

9MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
3. Research aims
Aim of the current study is to find out the motivation of volunteering in a major sport
event. The chosen event is Singapore grand prix (F1). The research is conducted to identify
volunteer motivation for secondary students, ITE student, and polytechnic and university
students of Singapore. Among various roles of volunteers, chosen sector of volunteers are
merchandising and route merchandising.
4. Research objectives
The research is designed with the following objectives.
 To derive the motivation of volunteer participation in Singapore Grand Prix
 To find out the role of secondary student, ITE student, polytechnic and university
students in Singapore in the event as a volunteer
 To find out areas of volunteering where they participate giving particular focus on the
role in merchandising and route Marshalls
 To find out cultural difference of volunteers between Singapore and UK students
5. Research Question
What is main driving factor behind participation of students in Singapore Grand Prix (F1) as a
volunteer?
What role do they prefer most as a volunteer?
How many of the volunteer participants work in merchandising and rout Marshalls?

10MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
How is cultural difference between Singapore and UK students important in volunteering in the
Singapore Grand Prix?
6. Research hypothesis
Hypothesis 1
Null hypothesis: The motivation factors have significant influence on volunteer participation
rate.
Alternative hypothesis: The motivation factors do not have significant influence on volunteer
participation rate.
Hypothesis 2
Null hypothesis: Cultural differences between UK and Singapore students have any significant
influence on participation rate of volunteers.
Alternative hypothesis: Cultural differences do not have significant influence on participation
rate of volunteers.
7. Research methods
A quantitative research is conducted to find the answer of proposed research question and
test the research hypotheses. At first, data needs to be collected on number of volunteer
participants in different roles in Singapore Grand Prix (formula one) in past few years (Brannen,
2017). The intended volunteer participants here are secondary students, the students in Institute
of Technical Education and Polytechnic and University students. In the grand event, there are
numbers of roles to be played by the volunteers. The focus target area of the paper is the

11MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
volunteer sector in the grand prix would be merchandise and route Marshalls. Components of
Volunteer Function Inventory are used to find out the significant motivators of volunteerism. Six
components are social, value, understanding, career, protective and enhancement (Das, Calhoun
& Malhi, 2014). Survey is conducted and questionnaire is designed to collect responses from the
volunteers and find out which factor is most important for motivating the volunteers. Then
among different sectors of volunteer participation, role of volunteers in merchandising and route
Marshalls are evaluated. For finding motivation factor the questionnaire is formed taking all the
six factors in VFI and responses are collected from sampled volunteers. The questionnaire
includes volunteer sector corresponding to merchandise and route Marshalls. Another objective
of the paper is to find cultural differences between Singapore and UK students and extent of
volunteerism of UK students when self-volunteering is considered. The collected responses are
then analyzed using different statistical tools.
In the research area, broadly four scales are used to capture different types of variables.
These are nominal, interval, ordinal and ratio (Gravetter & Wallnau, 2016). The simplest type of
scales is nominal scale. Variables that do not have any quantitative values are labeled using
nominal scales. Concepts those are non-numeric are traced with using means of ordinal scale.
These variables include happiness, comfort, satisfaction and others. Interval scales are used when
in addition to order of variables; exact differences of values of variables are also known. Ratio
scales provides order, values of interval and helps to calculate ratio. For the present study, the
useful scales are nominal scale and ordinal scale. Satisfaction of the volunteers can be scaled
using ordinal scales. Different components of VFI can be scaled with a nominal scale.
7.1 Data collection and Processed
Secondary data

12MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
The data on volunteer participation will be collected from official websites of Singapore
Grand Prix events. Information about sports volunteers is also available in popular daily
newspaper of Singapore Straits Times. The information on number of volunteers in the Grand
Prix will be obtained from these sources.
Primary data
Once the secondary data is collected, sample of volunteers will be selected from whom
the responses can be collected. In the first set of questionnaire six motivation factors such as
social, value, understanding, career, protective and enhancement. Responses are collected to see
which of these factors motivate the students most (Creswell, 2013). The factors may be different
for different groups such as secondary students, students in Institute of Technical Education
(ITE), Polytechnic and University in Singapore. Then the responses will be sorted as per
category of students. The second set of questionnaire is designed giving focus on volunteer
sector such as merchandising the events and their role as a route Marshall. A set of responses
will be collected from common people in Singapore who come as a spectator. The responses will
be collected to know how many people are aware of the detailed information regarding sports
and from what sources they come to know about the event. This will help to understand the role
of volunteers in merchandising the events. From the sample volunteer, their participation as route
Marshall is evaluated. In order to trace the role of cultural difference responses, first volunteer
participants are grouped into two classes – Singapore students and UK students. Responses are
collected from these two groups of students. This will help to understand the difference in
motivational factors between Singapore and UK students and this will indicate importance of
cultural difference in volunteering in the Grand Prix event.

13MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
7.2 Analysis
Once the data has been collected, statistical analysis needs to be done to draw conclusion.
In order to find the significance of different motivating factors, a regression will be run taking
number of participants as dependent variable and the six motivating factors in VFI as
independent variables (Fox, 2015). Significance of the co efficient of independent variables will
indicate the significance of motivating factors in volunteering in Singapore grand prix. Separate
regression will be run for different category of students. Participation of volunteers in
merchandising and route Marshal can be directly analyzed from the collected data and responses
from the volunteers. In order to analyze cultural impact on volunteer participation, participation
of volunteers will be regressed taking the cultural differences as independent variable.
8. Proposed timetable of the Research
Task Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week 4 Week 5 Week
6
Week
7
Week 8 Week
9
Selection
of topic
and search
for
justificatio
n
Constructi
ng
literature
Selecting
appropriat
e methods
Data
collection
Data
analysis
and
representa

14MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
tion
Reviewing
the
outcomes
Conclusion
s and
recommen
dations
Submitting
draft of the
project
Printing
and final
submission

15MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
9. References
Aisbett, L., Randle, E., & Kappelides, P. (2015). Future volunteer intentions at a major sport
event. Annals of Leisure Research, 18(4), 491-509.
Allen, J. B., & Bartle, M. (2014). Sport event volunteers' engagement: management
matters. Managing Leisure, 19(1), 36-50.
Brannen, J. (Ed.). (2017). Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research. Routledge.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches. Sage publications.
Das, P., Calhoun, V., & Malhi, G. S. (2014). Bipolar and borderline patients display differential
patterns of functional connectivity among resting state networks. Neuroimage, 98, 73-81.
Fairley, S., Green, B. C., O'Brien, D., & Chalip, L. (2014). Pioneer volunteers: the role identity
of continuous volunteers at sport events. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 19(3-4), 233-255.
Fox, J. (2015). Applied regression analysis and generalized linear models. Sage Publications.
Giulianotti, R. (2015). Sport: A critical sociology. John Wiley & Sons.
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2016). Statistics for the behavioral sciences. Cengage
Learning.
Güntert, S. T., Neufeind, M., & Wehner, T. (2015). Motives for event volunteering: Extending
the functional approach. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 44(4), 686-707.

16MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
Hochstetler, J. J. (2014). Revising the Volunteer Functions Inventory: An Exploratory Study of
Additional Functions. Northcentral University.
Holmes, K., Hughes, M., Mair, J., & Carlsen, J. (2015). Events and sustainability. Routledge.
Hoye, R., Smith, A. C., Nicholson, M., & Stewart, B. (2015). Sport management: principles and
applications. Routledge.
Kilgallen, C. (2013). Developing elite sporting talent in. Sport management in the Middle East:
A case study analysis, 173.
Lee, C. K., Reisinger, Y., Kim, M. J., & Yoon, S. M. (2014). The influence of volunteer
motivation on satisfaction, attitudes, and support for a mega-event. International Journal
of Hospitality Management, 40, 37-48.
Lee, M. (2016). Determinants of volunteer motives and future behavior in community sporting
events (Doctoral dissertation, The Florida State University).
Masterman, G. (2014). Strategic sports event management. Routledge.
MENG, W. (2017). Formula One: Singapore to host F1 race for four more years. The Straits
Times. Retrieved 10 October 2017, from
http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/formula-one/singapore-to-host-f1-race-for-four-more-
years
Pierce, D., Johnson, J., Felver, N., Wanless, E., & Judge, L. (2014). Influence of Volunteer
Motivations on Satisfaction for Undergraduate Sport Management Students. Global Sport
Business Journal, 2(2), 63-72.

17MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT
Ringuet-Riot, C., Cuskelly, G., Auld, C., & Zakus, D. H. (2014). Volunteer roles, involvement and
commitment in voluntary sport organizations: evidence of core and peripheral volunteers. Sport
in Society, 17(1), 116-133.
Roles & Responsibilities - Singapore Grand Prix Race Officials.
(2017). Raceofficials.singaporegp.sg. Retrieved 10 October 2017, from
http://www.raceofficials.singaporegp.sg/roles-and-responsibilities.htm
Singapore F1 - Formula 1 Night Race - Singapore Grand Prix. (2017). Singaporegp.sg.
Retrieved 10 October 2017, from http://www.singaporegp.sg/media/press-release/92
Wagenaar, M. (2014). Eventful Cities. The Case of Singapore.
Welty Peachey, J., Lyras, A., Cohen, A., Bruening, J. E., & Cunningham, G. B. (2014).
Exploring the motives and retention factors of sport-for-development
volunteers. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 43(6), 1052-1069.
Wright, D. R., Underhill, L. G., Keene, M., & Knight, A. T. (2015). Understanding the
motivations and satisfactions of volunteers to improve the effectiveness of citizen science
programs. Society & natural resources, 28(9), 1013-1029.

18MOTIVATION OF VOLUNTEERING IN MAJOR SPORTING EVENT