Joanne MacLean

Motivation, commitment, and intentions of volunteers at a large Canadian sporting event

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine volunteer motivation, commitment, and intentions to remain as volunteers at the 2005 BMO Canadian Womens Golf Championship. Volunteers (n = 647) responded to the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (Mowday, Porter, & Steers, 1982), volunteer motivation questionnaire (Strigas & Jackson, 2003a), and qualitative questions regarding intention to remain volunteers. Results indicated that commitment was related to sport specific factors of the particular event; however, motivation to volunteer was associated with being part of the community. A number of factors and relationships between the variables and intentions to remain volunteering were identified. Descriptive statistics indicated that most of the volunteers intended to continue as golf volunteers (97.5%), would volunteer with other sport events (76.4%), and were likely to continue volunteering in general (83.3%). A variety of rationales were discussed. Understanding the factors that impact motivations and commitment, and the relationships between intentions and motivation/commitment to volunteer can help event organizers target volunteer recruitment and retention strategies.

From silos to synergies: a network perspective of the Canadian sport system

This paper examines the recent Canadian Sport Policy documents intended to improve Canadas fragmented system. Content analyses from six regional conferences in Canada were used to enhance our understanding of regional sport policy in Canada. The results of this study indicate that the administrative structure, the degree of network coupling and the strength of ties between actors are reflective of low levels of integration in the network of sport providers. The need for new resources represents a central focus of the sport policy and offers a catalyst for change. This research moves beyond broad policy statements pertaining to the need for more cooperation and collaboration in the Canadian Sport system to providing meaningful indicators of barriers of poor integration, while at the same time recognising the need for regional views.

Strategies to increase sport participation in Canada: the role of a coordinated network

In an effort to address some of the issues facing sport in Canada, the Canadian Sport Policy suggests that improving collaboration among sport organisations is one strategy for creating a more connected and coordinated sport system. This research seeks to examine collaboration in community sport in order to understand the role and impact of integrated networks of sport organisations for driving sport participation. Swimming and basketball networks in one region were studied and findings reveal many unrealised ties between providers and organisations. A formal approach did not necessarily equate to a greater level of collaboration for swimming in comparison to basketball.

Value Congruence in a Canadian Nonprofit Sport Organisation: A Case Study

At a time when company ethics and accountability continue to affect organisations, it is important for managers to understand the values held by their employees (Abbott, White, & Charles, 2005). Consequently, researchers focussing on the communications, manufacturing and academic settings have acknowledged the need for increased investigation of values and value congruence (cf. Abbott et al., 2005; Finegan, 2000; Jung & Avolio, 2000). The purpose of this study was to examine the level of value congruence between employees and their nonprofit sport organisation. A single case study design using qualitative and quantitative approaches (i.e., document analysis, observations, surveys and interviews) was adopted. The results of the study indicated congruent and incongruent terminal and instrumental value levels between employees and those stated or perceived as the organisations values. Congruent terminal values included self-respect, social recognition, freedom and inner harmony, while incongruent values included accomplishment, wisdom, equality and family security. Congruent instrumental values included ambitious, courageous, forgiven, and honest, while incongruent values included self-controlled, helpful, logical and capable. The authors discuss the implications of their findings and provide recommendations for future use of mixed methods and longitudinal research design to further understand the role of employee values and value congruence within organisations.

The Mediating Influence of Management by Values in Nonprofit Sport Organizations

The theory of practicing values may provide valuable insight into the role of organizational values in sport organizations. This is particularly relevant in the nonprofit sport sector where managers operate with limited budgets and organizations may subscribe to specific ethical-social values related to organizational performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of organizational values on the performance of nonprofit sport organizations and the possible mediating effect of employing a management-by-values approach. Online questionnaires were collected from 24 national sport organizations, with a total sample of 103 participants. Results indicate management by values fully mediates the influence of ethical-social organizational values on organizational performance. These results are explained using the theory of practicing values, which emphasizes the need to intentionally manage values within sport organizations. Implications for research and practice are presented.

Auditing performance management practices: a comparison of Canadian sport organisations

Performance management purports to analyse and link the achievements in employee performance to the strategic direction and performance of the overall organisation. It is considered a method for strategically managing the organisation and commonly involves a cycle of planning, assessing, managing and reviewing. The purpose of this study was to identify and contrast the performance management practices within the small sport/recreation organisations representing the nonprofit, commercial and public sectors of the Canadian sport industry. Specifically, interviews (n = 20) with key executives from the organisation (n = 13) and document analyses were used to conduct a performance management audit. The results indicated that no sector of the sport industry is superior in practicing performance management and issues with communication, evaluating individual performance and integrating employee and organisational performance objectives exist. The recommendations for future research are provided.