Determinants of Volunteer Motivation on Conference Events in Sri Lanka; Special Reference to Tourism Undergraduates of State Universities In Sri Lanka
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Date
2017
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The events industry is one of rapidly growing industries with clear tourism synergies. Events
have the potential to boost the tourism sector, attract media attention, encourage development,
and inspire infrastructure modifications, including the formation of new partnerships. The
conference event sector is growing as an important component of the MICE industry. The
demand for both paid and volunteer employees increase as the number of conferences grow.
Undergraduates are playing a major role in the volunteer sector. They are motivated to volunteer
at the conference events for a variety of reasons. Hence, this research was conducted to
determine the undergraduates’ motivation factors, which affect for volunteering at conference
events in Sri Lanka. This study's population did consist of 3rd and 4th year undergraduates
pursuing hospitality and tourism-related degree programs at state universities. There were 425
students in the population. Sample size was 202 students and stratify random sampling
technique was used in selecting the sample. Structured questionnaire with closed-end questions
was used as the prime data collection method and questionnaire was distributed among the
sample via a Google form. In addition to that, quantitative approach was used to conduct this
study and collected data were analyzed by using SmartPLS software. The outcome obtained
from the analysis illustrates that there is a significant positive relationship between determinants
and volunteer motivation. Undergraduates were interested in volunteering at conference events
because of altruistic and value-driven benefits, instrumental or career-related benefits, and
socio-or ego defensive benefits. Furthermore, this study suggested that facilitating
undergraduates to engage in volunteering at conferences during their university period gains
more benefits for their future career as well as their personal life.
Key words: Volunteer, Motivation, Conference Events, University Undergraduates
Description
Keywords
Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management degree programme (HTE)