Examining Changes in Sport Event Volunteers' Motivation, Satisfaction, Commitment, Sense of Community: Evidence from a Preevent–Postevent Design

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in sport event volunteers' motivation, satisfaction, commitment, and sense of community from preevent to postevent. Data were collected using preevent and postevent online self-administered questionnaires sent to 256 volunteers at the 2019 Osprey Valley Open: a professional golf tournament. One hundred sixty-one volunteers (65% response rate) completed both questionnaires. Data were analyzed using paired sample t tests. All constructs demonstrated positive changes from preevent to postevent. Sense of community had the most significant positive change, followed by satisfaction, and then commitment. Motivation did not have a statistically significant change. Results show researchers should move beyond crosssectional research designs to better understand differences in these constructs across event modes. Practitioners should tailor their strategies toward volunteers' satisfaction, commitment, and sense of community to enhance their experiences at different time points throughout their involvement with a sport event.