Purpose The study aims to determine the factors influencing satisfaction, loyalty and continuity of volunteering among young people from various South American countries. To achieve this, a theoretical model is proposed based on the volunteer functions inventory (VFI) and the environmental psychology model. Design/methodology/approach A survey was administered to 230 young participants from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling method. Findings The results reveal that understanding and proper management of volunteering positively contribute to volunteers’ satisfaction, loyalty and continuity. However, it was identified that the protective and social functions, as well as experience, recognition and support, may act as barriers to these three aspects. Originality/value This study provides a comparative approach among South American countries and combines two complementary theoretical frameworks the VFI and environmental psychology to understand the determinants of satisfaction, loyalty and continuity in youth volunteering.
Gallegos et al. (Mon,) studied this question.