A cross-national study of senior volunteerism in two non-government organizations in Singapore and P.R. China

Abstract

This thesis describes a cross-national study of senior volunteers in two non-government organizations, one in Singapore and the other in P. R. China. Findings of the study revealed that the senior volunteers in both organizations perceived volunteer work as self-developmental as well as altruistic. For both organizations, senior peoplea??s volunteer participation is multidimensional; it is a combination of intrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, altruism, and so on. Most senior volunteers in the two organizations were also satisfied or very satisfied with their volunteer work. Furthermore, regarding senior volunteersa?? views toward the organization, the findings indicated great differences between the two organizations. Based on the findings in this study, both organizations could take steps to improve their organizational environment. The findings also indicated that many strategies could be used to encourage and maintain senior volunteers and both organizations could learn from each other.