Organization theory. Increasing volunteer motivation in third-sector organizations

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2019 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, language: English, abstract: How can one categorize organizations like the Gutenberg Digital Hub (GDH)? What can help those organizations to motivate their volunteers? This thesis presents insights into the current state of organization theory and how specific, new forms of organizations in Germany can be classified with it.

Thereafter, it links this classification to motivation theory and shows the connection from Vroom¿s expectancy theory to the field of volunteer motivation. Furthermore, this thesis wants to empower GDH-like organizations to grasp which methods or techniques can be applied in real world situations. Therefore, a dual approach combines a literature review and a case study. These two offer more detailed hints to increase volunteer motivation in such organizations. For instance, promising options are addressing needs of the potential volunteers, enabling autonomy or demonstrating the motive of the organization. An understanding of volunteer motivation in general and advice for recruiting processes are displayed as well. This thesis delivers a classification of this unique type of organization and an overview of motivation theory in the volunteer context, thereby providing both academic and practical value.