Adaptation of PM approach to training volunteers involved in major international sporting events in Russia.

<p>Sports development in Russia is progressing: international events which require thousands of workers, whether paid or voluntary, are organized. Universiade in Kazan 2013, World Championship in Athletics 2013, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi 2014 have already been held. Preparation for FIFA World Cup is underway.</p><p>At the same time a need to improve the organization of volunteer work is increasing because of the increasing number of volunteers. Any sports event can be considered as a project (it is unique, has a time frame, limited resources and must meet the criteria of success), so the adaptation of project methodology for the volunteer management seems to be acceptable and relevant.</p><p>The purpose of the master&#39;s thesis is to develop guidelines for improving the process of organizing and training volunteers at major international sporting events. Guidelines can be used by managers and volunteers involved in the projects on volunteer preparation and management.</p><p>The objectives of the study are as follows:</p><p>1. Assess the degree of use of the project approach in the preparation and management of the volunteers to World Championship in Athletics 2013in Volunteer Center.</p><p>2. Rate volunteers satisfaction of working conditions on World Championship in Athletics 2013.</p><p>There are following issues to achieve the objectives:</p><p>1. Compare volunteer movement in Russia and abroad, consider the concept of &quot;project-based approach.&quot;</p><p>2. Investigate the use of project-based approach in the preparation and management of the volunteers to World Championship in Athletics 2013 in Volunteer Center.</p><p>3. Analyze the satisfaction of volunteers working conditions on World Championship in Athletics 2013.</p><p>The concepts and history of volunteering were studied in the theoretical part with the use of methods of analysis of different information sources: non-fiction, periodicals, internet sources. In the practical part the method of interviews and questionnaires are used.</p><p>The study structure consists of introduction, three chapters, conclusion, bibliography and appendices.</p><p>In the introduction the dissertation topic of research is substantiated and the goals and objectives are formed. The first chapter describes volunteer development in Russia and the concept of the project approach is indicated. In the second chapter the research is conducted. The research is on the use of the project approach in Volunteer Center during volunteer preparation to the World Championships in Athletics in 2013. The volunteers were also asked about satisfaction of the conditions in this event to evaluate Volunteer Center work. In the third chapter the recommendations for work with identified problem areas are designed. In conclusion the results of the dissertation research and recommendations on issues discussed are formulated.</p><p>The main results of this work are as follows:</p><p>1. Factors that affect the knowledge management at major international sporting events are identified. They include delegation of authority, volunteer self-organization and a friendly working atmosphere.</p><p>2. The processes, methods and tools in solving operational problems are identified. &nbsp;</p><p>3. Methodological recommendations for projects on volunteer preparation and management at major international sporting events are developed. The author proposes a model of volunteer organizing at major international sporting events using a project approach. This model takes into account the volunteers management, highlights the importance of delegating authority, volunteer self-organization and friendly working atmosphere at major international sporting events.</p>