Motivation for voluntary entry in Brazilian NGOs

Abstract

The present study proposes a structural model to identify the reasons for choosing a certain Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to provide volunteer work. The empirical space was Pastoral da Criança - a social action agency of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) - a community-based institution whose pillars are solidarity and sharing of knowledge. The theoretical framework presents the context in which is volunteering, at global and national levels. Then we discuss the various concepts of volunteering and we present the theoretical models of voluntary motivation. The studies of Mostyn (1983) and Cavalcante, Souza, Nascimento, and Cunha (2011a, 2011b, 2012) are the main theoretical and empirical references for the construction of the tested model. Data collection was done by means of a closed questionnaire with 21 indicators in two visits to cities of Pesqueira's Diocese (Pernambuco/PE). Seven hundred and twenty questionnaires were made. The sample was divided into two parts. In the first one, we made the Exploratory Factor Analysis and, in the second one, the Confirmatory Factor Analysis, through the Structural Equations Model. Examination of the results achieved by the input reasons model allows us to conclude in favor of the validity and the reliability of the instrument. Thus, the reasons for the voluntary entry at Pastoral da Criança can be explained by a set of interactions between these five constructs: Altruism, Affection, Friendly, Adjusted and Sensible.