Suchergebnisse

The aim of the present study is to provide a deeper understanding of how autonomy-supportive leadership affects volunteer motivation by taking volunteers' individual differences into account. For this purpose, self-determination theory (SDT) was utilized because this conceptual framework considers both the social context (i.e., autonomy-supportive leadership) and individual differences (i.e., causality orientations) as antecedents of motivation. Causality orientations alter the way individuals perceive their social context as either autonomy-supportive or controlling (i.e., autonomy orientation or control orientation, respectively). Therefore, it is hypothesized that both types of causality orientations serve as moderators of the relationship between autonomy-supportive leadership and volunteer motivation. The hypotheses were tested on N = 1,979 volunteers. The results revealed that the relationship between autonomy-supportive leadership and volunteer motivation varied as a function of the strength of autonomy and control orientation. The importance of the moderating role of individual differences on volunteer motivation is discussed.

In Switzerland, a number of tasks in the political-administrative field are delegated to citizens who voluntarily hold such positions, usually in addition to a day job. This organization as a "militia system" ("Milizsystem") is a rather significant component of the Swiss understanding of democracy. In the school sector, however, it appears that in the past few years something has come out of use, as many tasks in the area of ​​school management are increasingly placed in the hands of professional and specially trained school principals. This research project was about assessing volunteer work in the communal militia system using the example of the school system. Two research approaches were chosen, one quantitative and one qualitative, operating within a theoretical model of individual action and structural conditions of volunteering activity.

An abundance of research shows the benefits of participation in volunteer work for individuals, employers and the society as a whole. However, relatively little is known about the precursors of volunteer work. In this study, we aim to fill this gap by investigating to what extent work-related well-being can function as a driver of volunteer work. Moreover, building on the Conservations of Resources Theory (Hobfoll,), we propose that the relationship between work-related well-being (burnout and engagement) and volunteer work is mediated by the work–home interface (work–home enrichment and work–home conflict). This hypothesis was tested in a large Swiss sample (N = 1947). Consistent with our expectations, structural equation analyses revealed an indirect relationship between (i) work engagement and volunteer work via work–home enrichment and (ii) between burnout and volunteer work via work–home conflict. In conclusion, it seems that well-being at work indeed functions as a precursor for volunteer work because of the consequences it has for the work–family interface.