The Study of Barriers of Volunteers in Sport Associations of Universities

The purpose of this study was to assess barriers of volunteers in sport associations of universities. The method applied in this research was descriptive- correlation. The statistical population consisted of non-volunteer students in sport associations of Iran universities. 250 students from 25 universities were selected as subjects by the random clustered sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The content and face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by expert university panel. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of the questionnaire (?=0.92). Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to analyze the data. 14 variables were selected and classified into two categories: personal barriers and organizational barriers. A 5-point Likert scale was used to determine the significance of the variables. The results showed that the important barriers were academic commitment (3.69+1.14; mean+SD) and lack of time (3.58+1.12). The most important barrier was health problems and illness (2.46+1.21). This study suggested that personal and organizational barriers play a role as the reasons why individuals do not volunteer in sport associations of universities. Although many barriers which influence the decision to volunteer are personal in nature and are not directly controlled by organizations, there are a number of factors that are relevant to management decision-making. Therefore, organizations have to consider these barriers when they seek or select volunteers.