Modelling the organisational socialisation of volunteers in English associational golf clubs

ABSTRACT

Research question

The research considers the organisational socialisation process for volunteers in associational golf clubs.

Research methods

Constructivist grounded theory method was used, with qualitative data collected through 28 semi-structured interviews with volunteers at English associational golf clubs.

Results and Findings

The article develops a model for the organisational socialisation of golf club volunteers. The model highlights an extended period of organisational socialisation, which locates assimilation during club membership before volunteering begins. This prior period of assimilation allows individuals to acquire organisational knowledge and make informed decisions about whether to volunteer. It also shapes their actions as volunteers and the meanings they derive from volunteering. Our findings emphasise the importance of participation among members as a precursor to volunteering. They also highlight how, in the absence of orientation support from the club, movement through the socialisation process depends on individuals’ biographical assets.

Implications

The model should help golf clubs, and potentially other voluntary sports clubs, manage their organisational socialisation process to develop established members, improve volunteer recruitment and produce long-term volunteers. Improved management of this process could also enhance the diversity of both members and volunteers.

KEYWORDS:

• Organisational socialisation
• volunteers
• sports clubs
• constructivist grounded theory
• golf

Acknowledgements

The research was made possible by a PhD studentship for the lead author at Manchester Metropolitan University, which was funded by England Golf.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by England Golf by way of a PhD Studentship for the lead author.