Daniel Weimar

Membership in Nonprofit Sport Clubs A Dynamic Panel Analysis of External Organizational Factors

Investments in elite sport and sport events are often justified by governments with the trickle-down effect. Theoretically, this effect implies that people are inspired by sporting success, the personality of athletes, and hosting elite sport events to practice sport. However, previous research had difficulties in measuring, modeling, and providing evidence of this effect. The purpose of this study is to examine such external drivers of membership numbers in German sport clubs. This study uses unique data on male memberships from 1970 to 2011 in 12 Olympic sports. Under the control of economic variables (income, work time, gross domestic product [GDP]), the results of dynamic panel regression models show a significant positive effect of hosting a major sport event on the growth rate in memberships in the same year and several lagged effects for stars and sporting success. The results have implications for policy makers and the capacity management of nonprofit sport clubs.

Big spenders in a booming sport: Consumption capital as a key driver of triathletes’ sport-related expenditure

The demand for triathlon has increased considerably during recent years; however, up to now there is little research available on the economic aspects of this sport. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the sport-related expenditure of triathletes. Based on the concept of consumption capital, a theoretical framework is presented that explains sport-related expenditure. Quantitative data were collected using a nationwide online survey of active triathletes in Germany (n = 786). Yearly sport-related expenditure amounts to €2745 on average. Regression results show that consumption capital (years of participation, weekly time of practice, self-assessed level of performance, and participation in triathlon competitions) and socio-demographic characteristics (age and income) are significant drivers of sport-related expenditure. The findings have implications for the management and marketing of triathlon and related products (e.g. tourism) because of the increasing number of participating triathletes who represent an economically interesting target group.

Who takes part in triathlon? An application of lifestyle segmentation to triathlon participants

Triathlon has grown and therefore it is important for managers and marketers of triathlon events to know more about their participants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of triathlon participants and segment the overall market into smaller segments of consumers. Data on the behaviour, psychographics (lifestyle), and demographics of triathletes was collected by means of an online survey in Germany (n = 786). Lifestyle segmentation was undertaken using a k-means cluster analysis which suggested three clusters. They were labelled serious pursuiters, sport lovers, and socialisers depending on the activities and interests they have in their leisure time. The chi2-test revealed significant differences among clusters in terms of age, gender, years of participation, time of practice, and expenditure. The findings have implications for several stakeholders and allow them to specifically target different groups of triathlon participants.

Moneyball Revisited Effort and Team Performance in Professional Soccer

In Moneyball, the assumption was made that the baseball labor market undervalues specific player skills. This study investigates whether this is also the case for player effort in professional soccer which had no significant effect on players’ market values in previous research. Specifically, it examines the effect of effort on team performance in soccer using team-game day data from three seasons (N = 1,514) of the German Bundesliga. Two effort measures are applied: (1) total distance run and (2) number of intensive runs (>20 km/hr) per player and per match. The results of probit models show that both effort measures have a significant positive effect on whether the observed team won the observed match in separate estimations. In the full model, only the effect of running distance remains positive, while intensive runs become negative. Given the insignificant effect of effort on players’ market values in previous research, we suggest that there may be a Moneyball phenomenon in soccer in the sense that the soccer labor market undervalues running distance. The findings imply that decision makers in professional soccer should consult player statistics to a greater extent.

Does Distance Matter? Geographical Distance and Domestic Support for Mega Sports Events (Forthcoming/Available Online)

Residential support is one key factor that increases the probability of a positive outcome of mega events. Especially, pre-event support seems important, since hosting the event often requires public consensus. Within the discussion of determinants of pre-event support, the distance between a resident’s home (district) and the event area has been neglected so far. To explore the spatial nature of event support, representative survey data (n = 900) from the 2016 Olympic Games is analyzed using ordered probit and spatial regression models. Estimates reveal a lower probability of high support for residents living close to the main event area. Moreover, the rate of marginal changes in the probability of support decreases with decreasing distance to other areas.

Empowerment among generations

The study investigates differences in people’s attitudes towards empowerment among generations and other demographic variables as there are only few insights available so far. Therefore, a combination of a hierarchical and a non-hierarchical cluster analysis is used, leading to two clusters termed ‘empowered employees’ and ‘less empowered employees’. Chi-square tests are applied to investigate the differences in the demographic variables among the clusters. Furthermore, a discriminant analysis is carried out to check the segmentation strength and the consistency of the clusters. Additionally, multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) and logit estimations are used as a robustness check. Results indicate that people from Generation X and the Post-war Generation are more likely to tend towards empowerment than Baby Boomers.