THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR: DETERMINANTS TO VOLUNTEER

IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

A Research Proposal

Submitted to

Graduate School
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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains the background of the study, theoretical and

conceptual framework, statement of the problem, hypothesis, statement of the

problem and significance of the study.

Background of the Study

Individuals can attain their social, economic, and political goals by

organizing themselves as part of the US civil society. Civil society organizations

have long protected human rights and advanced human progress in the United

States. Individuals and civil society members are free to design their goals,

groups, and causes.

To pursue common goals or interests, citizens join voluntary social groups

called civil society. Humanitarian organizations, private foundations and funds,

charity trusts, societies, associations and non-profit businesses are examples of

such organizations. Parties are excluded.

Non-profit organizations are vital to the evolution of society. They

collaborate with governments to effect social change and improve people's lives.

Many people are left out of government support programs. Non-profit

organizations assist them and meet their requirements. They rely on donations

and operate in a transparent manner.

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Any group of people can start an informal organization to discuss ideas or

mutual interests without the intervention of the government. A group may choose

to incorporate and register as an NPO to obtain specific legal benefits, such as

tax exemptions. Most states have a broad incorporation act that exempts the

legislature or any other government body from approving the process. It is

surprisingly simple to set up a charity in America. Entrusting property to another

person (or even oneself) in trust for a benevolent cause is all it takes to start a

charitable trust. However, many US states require any organizations created for

religious, educational, or other charitable reasons to register with a state charity

official, particularly if they will be collecting contributions from the public.

Many NPOs in the US are tax free. This legal standing facilitates NPO

operations. Donations to some of these groups may be tax deductible. The US

government does not normally try to sway an organization's goals.

The freedoms of expression and association of NPOs are usually

unrestricted under US law. However, the United States government does not

restrict NPOs from advocating for political concerns or criticizing the government.

The US constitution protects freedom of expression and debate, including ideas

that offend, shock, or upset.

Despite the widespread use of the term NPO, there are various

overlapping terms that refer to the same organizations. Non-profit, volunteer, and

civil society organizations are examples. As shown above, NPOs in the US

contribute to residents' well-being in various ways. These contributions can be

broken down into three categories: implementer, catalyst, and partner.

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The implementer position is vital in ensuring the provision of products and

services to both US citizens and foreigners. This is demonstrated through

operations in domains such as healthcare, finance, disaster aid, and human

rights. In the US, organizations have played a major role in reacting to both man-

made and natural disasters.

The ability to assist, inspire, and motivate US-based NGOs is exemplified.

These catalytic positions include cooperating with the US government to deliver

services. Finally, several US-based NPOs are adopting a partnership role. This is

done by collaborating with diverse donors, governments, businesses, and NPOs

themselves. These multi-agency programs are vital in ensuring people get help.

These agreements aim to improve and strengthen the capacities of US citizens.

NPOs are vital to the well-being of both Americans and foreigners.

Among the prominent non-profit organizations in the US include the

following: Transparent Hands Foundation, Lutheran Services in America,

Samaritan’s Purse, MAP International, Step Up for Students, St. Jude Children’s

Research Hospital, Salvation Army, Task Force for Global Health, Feeding

America, United Way Worldwide, and Readers also Love to Read.

These organizations have survived and sustained because of the vision,

mission, goals, and the human resources. The human resources may consist of

the leaders or founders of the non-profit organizations and the individual

members whose prime goal is to advance a social cause or advocate for a

particular subject
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to the immediate and larger community through volunteerism. NPO members

have peculiar characteristics which continually inspire and motivate them to

strengthen their volunteerism work and activities through NPO. Volunteering for

a non-profit organization is a great opportunity to help neighbors in need while

strengthening the community.

Volunteers offer educational, health, and social services that the

government cannot give. Volunteers who offer their time, skill, and treasure to

nonprofit organizations and serve on their volunteer boards of directors are

essential to fulfilling their purposes. It's simple to become involved when they

discover their community needs a nonprofit's services and they can help further

its mission. People volunteering to become active members in non-profit

organizations may have encouraged by several reasons. These people

volunteer to improve the lives of others, to contribute to the betterment of the

community, to acquire new skills, to become active, to reduce stress, to

strengthen connections and career, to improve mental well-being, and to achieve

a sense of purpose in life. Volunteers may have the motivation, attitude, belief

and the perceptions that doing volunteering activities in the NPO may be easy or

difficult. Volunteer members of NPO may have different levels of these

determinants which may have impacted their continuance to actively participate

and volunteer in their NPO. It has been observed that in some instances, these

volunteers proliferate as observed by the strong enthusiasm and active

participation in voluntary work, while in other instances and times, these

volunteers may have declined and passive participation. These observations

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have prompted the present researcher to delve with the extent of determinants or

predictors of non-profit organization members’ volunteerism based on the theory

of planned behavior.

Theoretical Framework

Theory of Planned Behavior

In the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), an individual's intention to

engage in a behavior is predicted to take place at a specified time and location.

This theory proposes that individual conduct is driven by behavioral intentions,

which are a result of an individual's attitude toward behavior, subjective norms,

and perceived behavioral control (Ajzen, 1991). 

The TPB developed from its foundations in propositional control and

expectancy theory to become a significant paradigm for understanding,

predicting, and influencing human social behavior. After all, intention is an

immediate antecedent of behavior, and attitude toward the behavior, subjective

norm, and perceived behavioral control are all determinants of behavior, with

each of these determinants resulting, respectively, from beliefs about the

likelihood of consequences of behavior, beliefs about the presence of factors that

control behavioral performance, and beliefs about the presence of factors that

control behavioral performance. An abundance of correlational studies

demonstrating the theory's ability to predict intentions and behavior, as well as

interventions demonstrating that changes in behavioral, normative, and control

beliefs can produce changes in intentions, and that these changes in intentions
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are reflected in subsequent behavior, provide empirical support for the theory

(Ajzen, 2012).

Conceptual Framework

This study will base its extent of determinants on the theory of planned

behavior. This will utilize the volunteers’ behavior intention to volunteer in the

NPO, their attitudes toward volunteering, subjective norm, and perceived

behavioral control. These variables will serve as the predictor variables while the

extent of volunteering will be denoted as the outcome variable.

Behavioral Intention. It symbolizes a person's motivation in the sense of

her or his intentional plan or decision to engage in a certain conduct or set of

behaviors (Conner & Armitage, 1998). In general, the more powerful the purpose,

the more probable it is that the activity will be carried out.

Attitude toward Behavior. This relates to the extent to which a person has

favorable or negative thoughts about the action that piques his or her curiosity. It

requires taking into account the possible consequences of engaging in the

behavior.

Subjective Norm. Specifically, this pertains to the belief regarding

whether or not significant individuals expect him or her to engage in the conduct.

It has to do with how a person perceives the social setting in which they are

engaging in the action.

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Perceived Behavioral Control. This relates to the individual's opinion of

how simple or difficult it is for him or her to carry out the action (Ajzen, 1991). It

rises when people believe they have greater resources and confidence in their

own abilities (Ajzen, 1985; Hartwick & Barki, 1994; Lee & Kozar, 2005).

Volunteerism is any act or activity that individuals perform even when they

are not required to do so (Whittaker, McLennan, & Handmer, 2015). People's

wellness and professional development are improved as a result of volunteerism,

according to Bortree & Waters (2014). The individuals who perform the act of

volunteering, also known as volunteers, are regarded to be one of the most

valuable assets a nonprofit organization may have in its arsenal (Herman, 2005).

Volunteers, on the other hand, are more likely to donate their services because

of the benefits that they stand to get. Bortree and Waters (2014) provide

evidence for this by stating that via volunteers, people's skills and relationships

may be developed and built. Volunteers become more devoted to their voluntary

work since they have a common interest with the organization they are working

with.
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Figure 1. Schema of the Study

Attitude

Subjective Norm Intention Volunteerism

Perceived
Behavioral
Control
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Statement of the Problem

It is the main objective of the study to examine the determinants of

volunteerism among volunteers of selected nonprofit organizations in the United

States based on the theory of planned behavior.

Specifically, this seeks to probe on the following relevant questions:

1. What is the level of attitudes towards volunteerism of the members of

selected nonprofit organizations?

2. What is the level of subjective norm of the volunteers in participating

activities of selected nonprofit organizations?

3. What is the level of perceived behavioral control of the volunteers of

selected nonprofit organizations?

4. What is the level of intentions of the volunteers of selected nonprofit

organizations?

5. What is the extent of the volunteerism of the members of selected

nonprofit organizations?

6. Is there a significant relationship among the attitudes, subjective norm,

perceived behavioral control, intentions and extent of the volunteerism

of the members of selected nonprofit organizations?

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Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship among the attitudes, subjective norm,

perceived behavioral control, intentions and extent of the volunteerism of the

members of selected nonprofit organizations.

Significance of the Study

Studying the nature and characteristics of the nonprofit organization

members and volunteers may encourage government agencies and other

stakeholders to examine their share of contributions to continually address the

diverse needs of the community.

Stakeholders and the community may be encouraged to actively

participate in activities which cater to the needs of the community, in the form of

services like education and awareness, health and resources.

The implications of the study may serve as benchmarks in designing plans

and activities geared towards persuading and igniting enthusiasm among

community members and stakeholders to participate in volunteering activities of

any nonprofit organization. The goals should be to influence the attitudes,

subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to volunteer in nonprofit

organizations.
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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter examined the literature and studies which have bearing on

the problems posted in this study.

Transparent Hands is a leading non-profit in the US. It seeks to alleviate

the miseries of those in need. The charity gives free medical care to worthy

people. This program is easy to acquire and covers several treatments.

Transparent Hands allows those who wish to assist those in need to do so

efficiently. They keep a clear and integrated system so nothing is unclear. The

foundation does a lot of work in Pakistan to aid the people.

Lutheran Services in America (LSA) is the umbrella organization for over

300 Lutheran health and human care organizations. The organization is based in

Washington, DC. It is the largest non-profit organization in the USA in terms of

revenue. In the US and Caribbean. The LSA's activities are claimed to affect the

lives of one in fifty Americans each year. Lutheran Services in America was

started in 1997 and continues to work with the same fervor and dedication.
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Samaritan's Purse, like the biblical character of the Good Samaritan,

seeks to assist and heal the world's poorest. In the name of Christ, the

organization provides medicine, food, and other aid to sick and disturbed

individuals worldwide. Samaritan's Purse is based on Jesus' teachings. The

charity gives spiritual as well as practical support to those in need worldwide. It

has been functioning since 1970, helping victims of war, natural catastrophes,

diseases, famines, and extreme poverty.

MAP International is another well-known non-profit organization in

America. Like Samaritan's Purse, it is a global Christian missionary. It goes out to

the poorest of the poor and aids them with health and relief. MAP International

saves lives and makes families and communities healthier and happier. The

organization is known for its 99.9% efficiency. They offer medicine and prevent

epidemics through promoting healthcare. MAP International seeks to enhance

the health of the world's poorest people.

Step Up for Students, with significant scholarships, the organization

assists students from low-income families and students with special needs to

attend private schools or public schools outside of the district. Step Up for

Students also helps students with textbooks, tutoring, and therapy.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and

research hospital that focuses on childhood cancers like leukemia. It was created

in 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee. Danny Thomas, the legendary entertainer,

established the group. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital promises that no
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child is denied care according to their faith, color, or family's financial situation.

The group also pays for patients' travel, lodging, and meals.

William Booth started the Salvation Army in 1865 in London. Throughout

the years, the group has expanded beyond England. Despite being a member of

the Christian Church, it has its own government and policies. The Salvation

Army has around 1.7 million members worldwide. The organization seeks to save

the hungry, underprivileged, and destitute by meeting their physical and spiritual

needs.

Task Force for Global Health is another non-profit organization that works

to improve healthcare in underdeveloped countries. Dr. William Foege started it

in 1984. The task force works on eight main programs. Children Without Worms,

Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network,

Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Centre, and Mectizan Donation Program.

In Decatur, Georgia, the group is linked with Emory University.

Feeding America runs a nationwide network of over 200 food banks. It

feeds about 45 million people through soup kitchens, shelters, food banks, and

other community-based organizations. It is the second-largest non-profit

organization in the US by revenue. John Van Hengel started America's Second

Harvest in 1979. Its headquarters are in Chicago's East Wacker.

United Way Worldwide is a major non-profit organization in the US. It

works with charities through over 8000 offices across the country to maximize

their fundraising efforts. They work with various government agencies, schools,

financial institutions, community development corporations, and businesses to

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solve community issues and enhance living circumstances. It also supplied

50,000 mosquito nets in Uganda, Africa.

Non-profit organizations are a blessing to the poor and downtrodden

portions of society. These non-profits not only help underdeveloped countries but

also backward places in the US. More people must join these organizations in

building a better world for future generations.

Each of these non-profit organizations have exemplary and set of unique

practices. The research is aimed at examining the best practices of non-profit

organizations in the United States. Understanding best practices can help other

non-profit organizations design more efficient and effective programs and

processes. The implications derived from this research undertaking could serve

as benchmarks for other non-profit organizations not only in the Philippines but

as well as in other countries.

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Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research design, research setting, research

instruments and validation, data gathering procedures and statistical analysis.

Research Design

This research will use the quantitative-correlational design. This is

quantitative as this will describe the attitudes, subjective norm, perceived

behavioral control, intentions and extent of the volunteerism of the members of

nonprofit organizations. Likewise, this is correlational as this aims to establish

the extent of determinants or predictors of volunteerism among the volunteers of

NPO.

Research Setting

The study will be conducted in United States. This research will be done

during the second semester of the school year 2021-2022.

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Research Respondents

The study will be conducted among selected nonprofit organizations in the

United States. Simple random sampling will be utilized to choose the

respondents or participants of this study.

Research Instruments and Validation

Questionnaires will be utilized to gather the relevant information to answer

the problems promulgated. The researcher will use adopted questionnaires with

modifications. Questionnaires will undertake item validation using confirmatory

factor analysis, and reliability testing for internal consistency using the Cronbach

alpha and predictive validity employing multiple regression analysis with selected

seasoned members of nonprofit organizations.

Data Gathering Procedures

The data gathering will follow several phases. The first phase will utilize

qualitative research as this will interview few old members of the selected

nonprofit organizations on their attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral

control, intentions and extent of the volunteerism as members of selected

nonprofit organizations. The second phase will involve the formulation and

adaptation of questionnaires with considerations on the qualitative data

previously gathered to constitute the items of the questionnaires. Items of the

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questionnaires will undertake item validation and reliability testing for internal

consistency using the Cronbach alpha. Questionnaires will be sent through

google form. Ethical considerations will be accounted by the researcher ensuring

data privacy. Multiple regression model will be developed based on the

perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, attitude toward and volunteerism

among volunteers in the nonprofit organizations.

Statistical Analysis

Tests of statistics will use the frequency and percentage, weighted

average mean and standard deviation for the descriptive questions. Tests of

inference will use the Spearman rho correlation and multiple regression analysis

for the regression model. SPSS will be utilized in the data analysis.
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Thesis Proposal Outline

Chapter 1 which deals with the background of the study, theoretical and

conceptual framework, statement of the problem, hypothesis, statement of the

problem and significance of the study.

Chapter 2 reviews the literature and studies related to the research

problems.

Chapter 3 presents the research design, research setting, research

instruments and validation, data gathering procedures and statistical analysis.

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Verlag.

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and

Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.

Ajzen, Icek. (2012). The theory of planned behavior. Handbook of theories of

social psychology (pp. 438-459). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates DOI:10.4135/9781446249215.n22

Bortree, Denise & Waters, Richard D. (2014). Race and Inclusion in

Volunteerism: Using Communication Theory to Improve Volunteer
Retention. Journal of Public Relations Research 26(3).
DOI:10.1080/1062726X.2013.864245

Conner, M., & Armitage, C. J. (1998). Extending the theory of planned behavior:
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Psychology, 28(15), 1429-1464.

Hartwick, J., & Barki, H. (1994). Explaining the role of use participation in
information system use. Management Science, 40(4), 440–465.

Herman, Robert ed. (2005). The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership

and Management, 2nd ed.
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Lee, Y., & Kozar, K. (2005). Investigating factors affecting the anti-spyware
system adoption. Communications of the ACM, 48(8), 72–77.

Whittaker, Joshua, B. McLennan, J. Handmer (2015). A review of informal

volunteerism in emergencies and disasters: definition, opportunities and
challenges. Internal journal disaster risk reduction. DOI:
10.1016/J.IJDRR.2015.07.010.