Communication and Social Exchange Processes in Community Theater Groups

Abstract

This study explores the communication experiences of two volunteer groups involved in the production of community theater musicals. Based on social exchange theory, it examined what group members perceived to be the positive benefits (primarily meeting people and having an opportunity to perform) and the negative costs (primarily disorganization, lack of coordination, and time issues) of participating in the groups. The study found that peer support and opportunity for social interaction, along with positive audience response, were the best predictors of positive reactions to their experiences and commitment to the show and community theater in general. These results provide insight into social exchange theory in group settings and can be applied to other community theater groups, as well as other volunteer organizations.

Keywords:

• Social Exchange Theory
• Community Theater
• Nonprofit Organizations

Notes

Michael W. Kramer (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin) is Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Correspondence to: Department of Communication, 115 Switzler Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, U.S.; kramerm@ missouri.edu. A previous version of this manuscript was presented at the National Communication Association Annual Convention in Miami, November 2003.

[1] Although conventional practice used to be that researchers needed large samples, such as 10 subjects for each item, to use exploratory factor analyses, a number of researchers have demonstrated that small samples are sufficient, especially if the factor loadings are above .60 (Meyer, Bates, & Gacono, 1999). The factor analyses in this study generally met these requirements for high factor loadings. In addition, to assess the stability of the factors identified, reliability analyses were conducted separately for each factor for each group. The consistency of the reliabilities for both groups suggests that the scales were appropriate for the analyses.

[2] The exploratory factor analyses of the commitment items identified three subscales: commitment to the show, community theater, and the company. However, the factors did not meet the criteria like the other analyses reported (loadings > .50, differential > .1). While the individual items did have high loadings on the appropriate factors, two items double loaded on other factors indicating an overlap between the factors. Factor analysis without the items that double loaded still yielded three factors, but with lower reliabilities, and so the three item scales were used in the remaining analyses. Overall, this suggests the three different types of commitment are related to some degree for this group of respondents.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael W. Kramer

Michael W. Kramer (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin) is Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Correspondence to: Department of Communication, 115 Switzler Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, U.S.; kramerm@ missouri.edu. A previous version of this manuscript was presented at the National Communication Association Annual Convention in Miami, November 2003.