The hidden workforce: volunteers' learning in the Olympics

Examines the demographic make-up of volunteers and their motives for participating in a mega-event. Compares the Olympic Winter Games held in Lillehammer, Norway in 1994 and the Olympic Summer Games held in Sydney, Australia in 2000. Finds that volunteers in these events had similar demographic characteristics to more conventional volunteers and similar conventional motives. Also finds that volunteers in these events are strongly motivated by pride in their country and its culture, social contact and friendship. Concludes that there are important implications for organizations to glean from these findings in the area of human resource development.