This paper discusses the problem of volunteering whether it is an intrinsic motivation or just cv building. The paper should answer the question whether volunteering is just a positive thing for the curriculum vitae or an intrinsic motivation, and which are the real motivations for doing volunteer work. Furthermore it should be analyzed the dif-ferences in gender, the fact of doing volunteer work and the motivation and the link between volunteering and may cv building. Two Scenarios are presented and dis-cussed by linking two theories. The theory of intrinsic and extrinsic needs and the theory of the new tourism by Poon. The literature review discloses that the different motivation have been developed over time. Three empirical hypotheses should be answered by using desk research and a survey. The hypothesis could not be con-firmed because there are almost no differences between the gender and the different motivations. Especially females were examined in the empirical hypothesis because of the abolition of the military service.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction – Give a little, gain a lot
Background - Voluntourism
Theory – Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations / New tourism
Methodology – Desk research / Survey
Discussion
Conclusion
Research Objectives & Topics
This paper investigates the underlying motivations for volunteer tourism, specifically examining whether participation is driven by intrinsic altruism or by extrinsic factors such as career advancement and CV enhancement. The research questions focus on identifying primary motivators, potential gender differences in participation, and the extent to which volunteer work is perceived as a strategic tool for professional development.
- Analysis of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation theories.
- Application of "New Tourism" concepts to the voluntourism sector.
- Empirical investigation of volunteer experiences through survey data.
- Exploration of gender-specific attitudes toward volunteer work.
- Assessment of the role of voluntourism in career pathing and personal growth.
Excerpt from the Book
Background - Voluntourism
The numbers of people who like to do international volunteer work increases in the last few years. It is a popular activity for young people after graduation or for students during the semester.
Volunteering, if it is a part of a holiday, is also called „voluntourism“ because it is one of the fastest growing tourism niches at the moment. Volunteering as previously mentioned is “good work” and tourism is a generic term for travelling, travel business and the hospitality industry. “Volunteer tourism (a form of tourism where the tourists volunteer in local communities as part of his or her travel)[…]”. So voluntourism “based more on ‘being, doing, touching and seeing’ rather than just ‘seeing’”. But one important point is that most of the people just want to relax on their holidays and do not want to work even if it is good work. In a survey of TUI came out, that 24% of the German citizen would spend a period of their annual holiday to help underprivileged people in different countries. Especially young people under 39 years with an a-level as well as students are interested in doing volunteer work in combination with a holiday. Volunteer tourism as a new tourism niche will exists as long as the local people can gain from it.
In this paper the author focused on volunteering as the only motivation for volunteer work and not as a by- product of a holiday. For instance, after graduation many pupils do not know what they want to do and then they often choose to go abroad. The period of orientation whether starting studying or doing an apprenticeship is about a year and some decide to work as an au pair, work & travel or doing volunteer work abroad. The most popular destinations are Africa, Asia and Latin America. The top ten destinations for volunteer work with lots of projects are:
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: This section provides an overview of the paper's focus on volunteer motivations and outlines the methodology, including the use of desk research and a survey, noting that the empirical hypotheses could not be definitively confirmed.
Introduction – Give a little, gain a lot: Defines volunteering and voluntourism, introduces the debate between intrinsic altruism and CV building, and sets the research objective of analyzing current volunteer motivations among young adults.
Background - Voluntourism: Explores the rapid growth of the voluntourism niche, examines the characteristics of "new tourists" in this context, and outlines the demographic trends and popular destination preferences for international volunteer work.
Theory – Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations / New tourism: Details the theoretical framework, contrasting intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and linking these to Poon’s theory of "new tourism" and its influence on modern consumer behavior.
Methodology – Desk research / Survey: Describes the online research process and the structure of the survey conducted via Facebook, including participant demographics and the statistical approach used to test the study's hypotheses.
Discussion: Interprets the empirical survey results, analyzing the motivations behind destination choices and the perceived value of volunteer work for future career opportunities.
Conclusion: Summarizes key findings, noting that while intrinsic motivation predominates, the potential for CV enhancement remains a significant factor, and suggests directions for future research regarding the evolution of the industry.
Keywords
Voluntourism, Volunteerism, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, New Tourism, CV Building, Career Development, Self-discovery, Survey Research, Tourism Trends, Gender Differences, Young Volunteers, Social Impact, Global Tourism, Humanitarian Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines whether individuals engage in volunteer tourism due to genuine intrinsic motivations to help others, or if it is primarily an extrinsic strategy to enhance their curriculum vitae for career benefits.
What are the central thematic areas of the study?
The study centers on the definition of voluntourism, the psychological distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the concept of "new tourism," and the empirical analysis of volunteer habits among young German adults.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The primary goal is to determine if volunteering is an act of pure intrinsic motivation or if it is increasingly viewed as a tool for professional self-marketing by the younger generation.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The author utilized both desk research to establish the theoretical framework and an empirical online survey (convenience sampling) to collect primary data from 36 participants, which was then analyzed using SPSS.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the background of the voluntourism industry, theoretical foundations regarding consumer behavior, the methodology of the survey, and a detailed discussion of the survey results regarding motivation and destination choice.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Voluntourism, Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivation, New Tourism, Self-discovery, Career Development, and Participant Demographics.
How does the "Theory of the New Tourist" by Poon influence the paper?
The theory is used to characterize volunteers as modern "new tourists" who seek unique, meaningful experiences and are generally more adventurous, flexible, and better informed due to modern technology.
Why were male participants excluded from certain analyses?
Male participants were initially considered less relevant for the specific hypothesis regarding "self-discovery" due to the then-obligatory military or community service requirements, though they were ultimately included for comparative purposes.
What was the outcome regarding the three empirical hypotheses?
The hypotheses, which suspected significant gender differences in volunteer habits and motivation, could not be confirmed, as the survey results showed no strong statistical correlation between gender and the examined motivational aspects.
What are the implications for the future of the voluntourism industry?
The author concludes that while voluntourism has significant growth potential, future research is required to see if motivations shift further toward CV-driven goals, especially as more males enter the sector following the abolition of mandatory service.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Stefanie Grothe (Autor:in), 2011, Voluntourism. Intrinsic motivation or just CV building?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/294710
