Exploring organ donation in Singapore - The role of Motivation, Ability, Role Perceptions and Situational Factors in affecting the Intention to donate.

Abstract

This study investigates the motivation behind an individual’s decision in the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) in Singapore. The group had adopted the use of the MARS model, which is originally used as a theory in the study of organisational behaviour, and had modified it to suit the study of organ donation in Singapore. We aim to determine the roles of ability, role perceptions and situational factors in increasing the motivation of an individual to donate his/her organs, and establish the relationship between motivation and intention, which indicates the ultimate decision that an individual makes with regards to HOTA. The group came up with 4 main hypotheses and 7 sub-hypotheses. We conducted a computer-administered survey which garnered 322 responses from participants from various universities.

It was found that both ability and role perceptions had a positive impact towards an individual’s motivation to donate his/her organs, with role perceptions having the greatest impact. The study gives an indication to the National Health Board and the relevant organisations that they could improve publicity about the HOTA, and these advertisements can be targeted at an individual’s identity. The results can also be used to help review the existing means used to educate the public about the importance of HOTA and further improve the channels used for this cause.