Identifying motivating factors among college students that influence repeat participation among special event volunteers: the moderating role of class standing

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the motivating factors that influence repeat participation among university student volunteers at a world-renowned food festival. The direct and indirection relationship (through attitude toward volunteering) was tested. Additionally, the moderating role of class standing between student volunteers' motivations, attitudes and repeat volunteer intention was assessed.Design/methodology/approachResearchers applied a quantitative methodology to data collected after the festival volunteering experience. The research team collected 205 useable surveys from university student volunteers at the Food Network and Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF®). Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships among volunteer motivations, attitude toward volunteering and intention to continue volunteering. Lastly, a multiple-group analysis was applied to test the moderating role of class standing.FindingsThe results showed the motivating factors purposive, personal enrichment and family traditions were significant in predicting attitude toward volunteering. These motivations did not significantly affect intention to continue volunteering; thus researchers found only an indirect relationship (through attitude toward volunteering) between volunteering motivations and intention to continue volunteering. Additionally, a positive attitude toward volunteering resulted in an intention to continue volunteering. Lastly, testing the moderating role of class standing revealed significant results on three pathways, indicating that students are motivated to volunteer differently based upon class standing (freshman through junior vs. senior, graduate).Research limitations/implicationsThe data were collected prior to COVID-19, and the ways in which COVID-19 has impacted the events industry and the scape of future events are yet to be determined.Practical implicationsFestival organizers and managers should appeal to different motivations of potential student volunteers depending on their class standing. For example, results of the moderator “class standing” indicated that the relationship between personal enrichment motivation and attitude toward volunteering was strongest and significant among freshmen, sophomores and juniors, but insignificant among seniors and graduate students. Thus, freshmen through juniors are more highly motivated to obtain practical experiences, and this motivation results in a positive attitude toward volunteering.Originality/valueThis study tests the moderating role of class standing to help predict intention to continue volunteering at a special event. The research is further unique by extending an understanding of the validity and reliability of the special events volunteer motivations scale.

Return to bowel screening after a false-positive faecal immunochemical test in BowelScreen (the National Bowel Screening Programme in Ireland)

Objective Little research exists on what predicts individual return to screening after a false-positive faecal immunochemical test in a population bowel screening programme. We aimed to quantify the impact of false-positive faecal immunochemical test in the first round of screening on re-attendance in BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme in Ireland. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted. False-positivity was defined as a positive faecal immunochemical test with subsequent colonoscopy showing no evidence of malignancy or surveillance requirement. In those with a false-positive faecal immunochemical test, logistic regression was used to predict repeat participation in the second round. Results Of 196,149 individuals who attended the first screening round, 108,075 were eligible and re-invited in the second round, and 93,971 accepted the invitation (86.9%). Second round uptake was higher in faecal immunochemical test-negative individuals compared with those having false-positive results (87.5% vs. 73.1%; p < 0.001). Older age (odds ratio (OR) 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–0.94), computed tomography colonography (unsuitability/failed colonoscopy) (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.21–0.73), and longer duration from screening invitation to faecal immunochemical test result (OR 0.991; 95% CI 0.9872–0.995) were predictors of non-re-attendance in the next screening round. Conclusion There is a significant reduction in re-attendance rates for individuals with false-positive faecal immunochemical test results. The letter sent following a negative colonoscopy is being reviewed to ensure that it provides adequate encouragement to re-attend. There are roles for screening promotion and for Gastroenterologists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners to emphasize the importance of regular faecal immunochemical tests after a negative colonoscopy.

Run Again Another Day: The Role of Consumer Characteristics and Satisfaction in Repeat Consumption of a Sport-Related Experience Product

The authors investigated the influence of consumer characteristics (prior race experience, gender, age, education, family structure, and area of residence) on event satisfaction and the satisfaction–repeat participation link in the context of a long-distance running event. Based on a survey of runners (N = 3,295) combined with registration data from two races, results suggest characteristics that commonly influence satisfaction in nonsport contexts fail to demonstrate similar effects in participant sport events. Results provide evidence that first-time marathon participation and variety-seeking behavior specific to running represent meaningful predictors of decreased future event participation behavior. Evidence is provided of a linear satisfaction–behavior relationship. In addition, the impact of using behavioral intention as a proxy for behavior in academic research is examined, indicating that caution must be observed regarding inherent differences between the constructs. Results from the current study provide sport organizations with a better understanding of why consumers make repeat purchases of sport-related experience products.

Formal mentorships: examining objective-setting, event participation and experience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate commonly recommended practices for formal mentoring programs (FMP). The authors examine how objective-setting, participating in organizational FMP events, and repeat participation in a FMP relates to how mentors and mentees perceive their relationship. Design/methodology/approach – Mentor and mentee participants in an 18-month FMP within a consumer goods organization responded to a survey. Proposed hypotheses, competing hypotheses, and exploratory research questions were tested using regression. Findings – Setting objectives was most important to the mentoring relationship when mentors were unable to attend orientation events. Veteran mentees reported learning more from the relationship when paired with a veteran mentor; novice mentees reported the same when paired with novice mentors. Research limitations/implications – The findings provide some research evidence supporting practitioner-recommended best practices. The conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data collection and the lack of random assignment to FMP events. Future research should consider field experiments, and explore a wider range of events and activities. Practical implications – The importance of goal setting should be stressed more often in training and orientation for FMPs, and program administrators should consider using repeat participation as a factor in matching. Originality/value – This is the first study to examine relationship-quality variables and learning in relation to participation in organization-sponsored events and to repeat involvement in a program. It also answers a call in the literature for studies on the characteristics that can enhance the success of formal mentoring efforts.