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Module code: HRPYC81
Research report for PROJECT 4809
Assignment number 42
Title of study: An interpretive study on the motivations and challenges of volunteerism in
South Africa
Surname: Welgemoedt Initials: M.C
Student number: 66391946
Examination period: October/November 2022
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Table of contents
Abstract 4
1. Introduction 5
2. Research problem 6
3. Literature review 7
3.1 Functions served by volunteerism 7
3.2 Satisfaction and reward 9
3.3 Altruism vs Egoism 12
4. Aim of the study 16
5. Methodology 16
5.1 Research design 16
5.2 Participants 19
5.3 Interviews 22
5.4 Data analysis 22
5.5 Trustworthiness (Reliability and Validity) 25
5.5.1 Truth value 26
5.5.2 Applicability 27
5.5.3 Consistency 27
5.5.4 Credibility 28
5.5.5 Transferability 28
5.5.6 Triangulation 28
5.5.7 Dependability 29
5.5.8 Confirmability 29
5.6 Ethical considerations 30
5.6.1 Autonomy 30
5.6.2 Non-maleficence 31
5.6.3 Beneficence 31
5.6.4 Justice 32
5.6.5 Informed consent 32
6. Findings 33
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6.1 Organisational challenges 33
6.2 Volunteering challenges 34
6.3 Driving force 35
6.4 Reward and satisfaction 36
7. Discussion 38
7.1 Significance of the study 39
7.2 Strengths and limitations of the study 40
References 41
Appendix A 44
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An interpretive study on the motivations and challenges of volunteerism in South Africa
Abstract
This study on the motivations and challenges of volunteerism in South Africa takes on an
interpretive approach. Within the qualitative study, a thematic analysis was used to analyse
the data that had been collected through the use of semi-structured interviews with three
participants, selected via purpose sampling, who currently do volunteer work. The literature
on altruism versus egoism as well as the functions served by volunteerism and satisfaction
and reward are discussed along with the findings on the challenges faced in organisations
such as the exploitation of volunteers, the challenges of volunteerism such as time
management and burnout, the driving force for volunteerism such as the passion to help those
in need, and the rewards and satisfaction that volunteers obtain from volunteering such as the
experience gained as well as skills that have been learned. The findings of this study concur
with previous research on volunteerism in that the primary motivations for volunteering
indeed lie within the altruistic sphere but has some definite undertones of egoism that seem to
be a natural by-product of volunteerism, regardless of whether a volunteer is consciously
seeking out rewards from volunteering or not.
Module code: HRPYC81
Research report for PROJECT 4809
Assignment number 42
Title of study: An interpretive study on the motivations and challenges of volunteerism in
South Africa
Surname: Welgemoedt Initials: M.C
Student number: 66391946
Examination period: October/November 2022
, Page |2
Table of contents
Abstract 4
1. Introduction 5
2. Research problem 6
3. Literature review 7
3.1 Functions served by volunteerism 7
3.2 Satisfaction and reward 9
3.3 Altruism vs Egoism 12
4. Aim of the study 16
5. Methodology 16
5.1 Research design 16
5.2 Participants 19
5.3 Interviews 22
5.4 Data analysis 22
5.5 Trustworthiness (Reliability and Validity) 25
5.5.1 Truth value 26
5.5.2 Applicability 27
5.5.3 Consistency 27
5.5.4 Credibility 28
5.5.5 Transferability 28
5.5.6 Triangulation 28
5.5.7 Dependability 29
5.5.8 Confirmability 29
5.6 Ethical considerations 30
5.6.1 Autonomy 30
5.6.2 Non-maleficence 31
5.6.3 Beneficence 31
5.6.4 Justice 32
5.6.5 Informed consent 32
6. Findings 33
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6.1 Organisational challenges 33
6.2 Volunteering challenges 34
6.3 Driving force 35
6.4 Reward and satisfaction 36
7. Discussion 38
7.1 Significance of the study 39
7.2 Strengths and limitations of the study 40
References 41
Appendix A 44
, Page |4
An interpretive study on the motivations and challenges of volunteerism in South Africa
Abstract
This study on the motivations and challenges of volunteerism in South Africa takes on an
interpretive approach. Within the qualitative study, a thematic analysis was used to analyse
the data that had been collected through the use of semi-structured interviews with three
participants, selected via purpose sampling, who currently do volunteer work. The literature
on altruism versus egoism as well as the functions served by volunteerism and satisfaction
and reward are discussed along with the findings on the challenges faced in organisations
such as the exploitation of volunteers, the challenges of volunteerism such as time
management and burnout, the driving force for volunteerism such as the passion to help those
in need, and the rewards and satisfaction that volunteers obtain from volunteering such as the
experience gained as well as skills that have been learned. The findings of this study concur
with previous research on volunteerism in that the primary motivations for volunteering
indeed lie within the altruistic sphere but has some definite undertones of egoism that seem to
be a natural by-product of volunteerism, regardless of whether a volunteer is consciously
seeking out rewards from volunteering or not.
