Exploring volunteers’ motivations and perceptions in sea turtle conservation: A thematic analysis through Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI) perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss2pp421-436Abstract
Background and Purpose: Despite the rise in environmental volunteering, limited empirical research has explored the unique motivations behind marine-based initiatives like sea turtle conservation. This study utilizes Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI) to address this gap, exploring the specific environmental and socio-cultural factors that drives volunteers. Ultimately, this research serves a dual purpose (i) it expands the theoretical reach of the VFI into marine contexts and (ii) it equips program coordinators with the insights needed to foster sustained volunteer engagement and maximise conservation impact.
Methodology: This article presents evidence-based findings from a focus group discussion (FGD) involving nine volunteers who participated in sea turtle conservation programs in Malaysia. The participants included both company-nominated and self-initiated volunteers. The FGD explored their motivations, perceptions and experiences with volunteering, as well as their views on sea turtle egg consumption, ecotourism development and the power of volunteers to influence conservation-oriented tourism.
Findings: A thematic analysis revealed six key themes based on motivations, perceptions and experiences with volunteering. The themes are awareness and education, government roles and regulation, community empowerment, ecotourism impacts, sustainable practices and volunteer agency.
Contributions: By interpreting these findings through the lens of the VFI framework, the study highlights how diverse motivational functions operate in an environmental volunteering context. Beside theoretical enrichment of VFI through integration with environmental citizenship and community-based conservation perspectives, the article concludes with implications for conservation organizations on participatory and community-based conservation, which underscores the importance of mutual trust, local knowledge and shares decision-making in achieving sustainable outcomes and ecotourism policy.
Keywords: Sea turtle conservation, volunteerism, volunteer motivation, Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI), community perceptions.
Cite as: Mohamad Zaki, N. A., Yaakop, A. Y., Mohamad Yasin, M. Y., Zainul Ariffin, Z., Pengiran Bagul, A. H. B., & Abdullah, M. T. (2026). Exploring volunteers’ motivations and perceptions in sea turtle conservation: A thematic analysis through Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI) perspective. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 11(2), 421-436. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol11iss2pp421-436
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