Damon P.S. Andrew

An analysis of spectator motives and media consumption behaviour in an individual combat sport: cross-national differences between American and South Korean Mixed Martial Arts fans

This study compared the motives and media consumption behaviours of American and South Korean spectators of Mixed Martial Arts. Significant cross-national differences were noted in sport interest, vicarious achievement, aesthetics, national pride and violence. Backward regression analyses indicated that sport interest, fighter interest and drama predicted media consumption at the American event, while sport interest, drama and adoration were significant predictors at the Korean event.

Are transformational leaders a double-edged sword? Impact of transformational leadership on sport employee commitment and job satisfaction

Few areas have received more frequent scholarly attention in the business literature than leadership. However, insufficient attention had been paid to the study of leadership in a sport context. Therefore, this study examined the direct effects of transformational leadership on sport employee job satisfaction and levels of commitment (to the athletic department and athletic director). Also examined were the mediated effects of both commitment foci on the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Participants included 325 athletic department employees in a NCAA BCS football conference. Through CFA and SEM, the direct and mediated effects of transformational leadership on sport employee commitment and job satisfaction were explored. Limited support was found for a direct effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction. However, the results indicated support for transformational leadership directly influencing organizational- and individual-level commitment. Commitment to the athletic department also mediated the transformational leadership-job satisfaction relationship.

Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities

JOPERD • Volume 77 No. 2 • February 2006 The importance of an effective emergency evacuation plan for people with disabilities was highlighted by the recent lawsuit referenced above. Katherine Savage, a wheelchair user, was shopping at Marshalls, a major clothing retailer, when the fi re alarm sounded and customers were told to evacuate the store, located on the second fl oor of a shopping mall. However, the mall’s elevators were inoperable due to the emergency, leaving the only accessible exit route by stairs. Given her physical limitations, Savage was unable to escape until after the emergency was over.

The role of satisfying tasks and organisational support in the job attitudes of sporting goods retail employees

The purpose of this study was to explore antecedents of affective organisational commitment and job satisfaction in sporting goods retail employees. A sample of 97 employees from 11 sporting goods stores in Southeast USA was used to test hypotheses that intrinsically satisfying tasks and perceived organisational support would positively impact both job satisfaction and affective commitment. Results affirmed the hypotheses. Findings specific to the construct of intrinsically satisfying tasks are discussed as potentially meaningful evidence that employees in the sport industry may derive psychological benefits at work from association with the firms products. Recommendations to managers of sporting goods retail employees are forwarded.