Analysis of the factors affecting volunteering, satisfaction, continuation will, and loyalty for public library volunteers: An integrated structural equation model

Abstract

This study aims to develop an integrated model to analyze the behaviors of public library volunteers in order to help the libraries utilize them as helpful and important human resources. An integrated structural equation model which consists of factors affecting volunteering, volunteer satisfaction, continuation will of volunteering, and loyalty/contributing intention to the library has been developed and tested using survey data from 401 public library volunteers in Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea. Understanding/enhancement and value functions, as well as those significantly directly influencing volunteer satisfaction, are higher motivating factors than other functions of the Voluntary Function Inventory. Direct effects of factors affecting volunteering, and indirect effects mediated by volunteer satisfaction, both on the continuation will of volunteering and loyalty/contributing intention to the library of the volunteers, are investigated: volunteer satisfaction has strong direct positive effects on both factors. Considering the total effects, support and recognition, perceptions of experience, and understanding/enhancement function have positive effects on the continuation will of volunteering, whereas the career function has negative effects; and support and recognition, perceptions of volunteer experience, values function, protective function, understanding/enhancement function, and social function have positive effects on the loyalty/contributing intention to the library, whereas the career function has a negative weak effect on it. Mean differences among groups are also analyzed. Because this study is a kind of extensive exploratory research for library volunteers with some limitations, recommendations for further research are offered, as well as research and managerial implications based on the discussion.