Factors influencing the motivation to participate in volunteer activities among students of Tan Trao University

Tran Thao Nguyen; Hoang Anh Dao

doi:10.18535/ijsrm/v13i05.el02

Abstract

In the context of volunteer activities playing an increasingly important role in developing skills and social responsibility among university students, this study developed a model consisting of five independent factors, including: personal intrinsic motivation, influence from others, institutional encouragement, skill development, and achievements and career opportunities—which influence the motivation to participate in volunteer activities among students at Tan Trao University. A mixed-methods research approach was applied, based on data collected from 1,075 students. Analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0, including Cronbach’s Alpha reliability testing, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Pearson correlation, and linear regression. The results show that all five factors have a positive and statistically significant impact on students’ decisions to engage in volunteer activities. Among them, skill development was identified as the most influential factor. Based on these findings, the study proposes a number of solutions for universities to better attract and encourage student participation in volunteer programs—not only to foster their personal growth but also to promote positive contributions to the community.

Keywords

Factorsmotivationvolunteer activitiesstudentsTan Trao UniversityVietnam

References

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[refR-2] Cnaan, R. A., Handy, F., & Wadsworth, M. (1996). Defining who is a volunteer: Conceptual and empirical considerations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 25(3), 364–383. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764096253006ellisarchive.orgDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Dang Thi Phuong. (2017). Nghiên cứu các yếu tố ảnh hưởng tới quyết định tham gia hoạt động tình nguyện của sinh viên Trường Đại học Nha Trang [A study on the factors influencing students’ decision to participate in volunteer activities at Nha Trang University, Master's thesis, Nha Trang University].Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Do Van Huan et al. (2023). Các yếu tố ảnh hưởng đến động lực tham gia hoạt động của sinh viên tình nguyện trên địa bàn Hà Nội. [Factors influencing the motivation of student volunteers in Hanoi. Journal of Science, Thu Do University, (70)].Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Handy, F., Hustinx, L., Kang, C., Cnaan, R. A., Brudney, J. L., Haski-Leventhal, D., ... & Zrinscak, S. (2010). A cross-cultural examination of student volunteering: Is it all about résumé building? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 39(3), 498–523. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764009344353DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Holdsworth, C., & Quinn, J. (2010). Student volunteering in English higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 35(1), 113–127.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Liu, Y. (2009). Intention patterns predicting college students' volunteer service. Heliyon, 9(5), e13105.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346WikipediaDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Nguyen, L. H., Hoang, M. T., Nguyen, L. D., Ninh, L. T., Nguyen, H. T., Nguyen, A. D., ... & Vu, G. T. (2021). Willingness of healthcare students in Vietnam to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 624742.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Nguyen Thi Te. (2023). Ảnh hưởng của các hoạt động tình nguyện đến quá trình học tập và rèn luyện của sinh viên Học viện Hành chính Quốc gia [The impact of volunteer activities on the learning and training process of students at the National Academy of Public Administration. Finance Journal, (11). VJOL.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). The assessment of reliability. In Psychometric theory (3rd ed., pp. 248–292).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Overgaard, C., & Kerlin, J. A. (2022). A legally-informed definition of volunteering in nonprofits and social enterprises: Unpaid work meets profit motives. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 32(3), 429–447. https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.21489DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Salamon, L. M., & Sokolowski, S. W. (2016). Beyond nonprofits: Re-conceptualizing the third sector. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 27(4), 1515–1545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-016-9726-zDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Tella, A. (2007). The impact of motivation on student’s academic achievement and learning outcomes in mathematics among secondary school students in Nigeria. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 3(2), 149–156.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Vo Trong Dinh. (2020). Các yếu tố tác động đến ý định tham gia của thanh niên đối với các hoạt động tình nguyện trên địa bàn Quận 3 [Factors affecting youth’s intention to participate in volunteer activities in District 3, Master's thesis, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City].Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Wilson, J. (2012). Volunteerism research: A review essay. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 41(2), 176–212. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764011434558DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗