Abstract
Non-profit organisations in South Africa find themselves operating in a competitive environment where they are competing not only with other non-profit organisations but with “for-profit” organisations for resources and consumer’s attention in the marketing space. Both for-profit and non-profit organisations are using online social networking platforms to engage with consumers. Abraham Kriel Childcare and Cotlands are two such non-profit organisations that are active on these online social networks. These organisations ultimately want to drive support and donations (donating behaviour) from consumers. By considering these organisations, this study seeks to provide non-profit organisations with an understanding of the impact that their online social networking activities have had on consumer awareness, attitudes and perceptions. It also aims to explore whether or not a relationship exists between consumer awareness, attitudes, perceptions and consumer’s behavioural intentions towards the non-profit organisation.
The study aimed to explore and describe consumer awareness, attitudes, perceptions and behavioural intentions towards the non-profit organisation and their online social networking activities. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted. The target population of the research study was consumers who were aware of the two selected non-profit organisations and had a presence on online social networks. A non-probability sampling technique (convenience sampling) was used for this research to select the respondents for inclusion to the study. The survey questionnaire focused on measuring awareness, attitudes, perceptions and behavioural intentions. The questionnaire was adapted from previous studies and articles that measured similar constructs. These include a Masters study by du Plessis (2010), which measured the attitudes of baby boomers, generation X and generation Y as donors towards the marketing communication activities of non-profit organisations in Gauteng. In total, there were 201 questionnaires that could be used for data analysis from a total of 300 that were distributed. Data collected from these questionnaires was analysed using a statistical package (SPSS). The statistical tests used for the research study were exploratory factor analysis, correlation and multiple regression.
Findings revealed that consumers are not aware of the online social networking activities of either the primary non-profit organisations (Abraham Kriel Childcare and Cotlands) nor the online social activities of other non-profit organisations. Respondents, however, did indicate that they had favourable attitudes and perceptions towards the activities of non-profit organisations. The results also indicate that the attitudes and perceptions of consumers influence consumers’ behavioural intentions (donating behaviour) towards the non-profit
M.Com. (Business Management)