TECHNOLOGICAL ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF YAYASAN AFS ANTARABUDAYA MALAYSIA

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the technological acceptance of virtual volunteering platforms among members of Yayasan AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia. As the world embraces digital transformations, virtual volunteering offers unique opportunities for global engagement and impact. However, the adoption of such platforms depends on users' willingness to accept and integrate technology into their volunteering experiences. To uncover the key themes influencing technological acceptance, this study employed a qualitative approach through two focus groups. The first focus group consisted of 7 members from the management team of Yayasan AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia, representing the organisational perspective. The second focus group involved seven volunteers actively engaged in virtual volunteering activities, providing insights from the user perspective. Participants shared their attitudes towards technology, perceptions of virtual volunteering, and motivations for adopting or hesitating in using the platforms. Additionally, the study dived into the perceived benefits and barriers the current virtual volunteering platforms. The findings revealed other essential themes, including attitudes towards technology, motivations, user experience and interface, challenges and opportunities. The results of this study contribute valuable insights into promoting technological acceptance in the context of virtual volunteering, thereby empowering the organisation to harness the full potential of technology in their pursuit of meaningful global contributions.