Kirstin Hallmann

The value of Olympic success and the intangible effects of sport events – a contingent valuation approach in Germany

Abstract Olympic Games produce tangible and intangible effects that have been extensively researched; however, little is known on the importance of Olympic success to the population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of Olympic success using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The empirical evaluation is undertaken with data from a nationwide population survey in Germany (n=2006). Residents were asked to state their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for Germany being ranked first in the medal table and for a German winning a gold medal in track and field at the 2012 London Olympics. Average WTP amounts to €6.13 and €5.21, respectively. The regression results show that consumption capital and intangible factors were significant determinants of WTP. The findings can be integrated into cost-benefit analyses that are carried out for major sport events and can help justifying the use of taxpayer money to finance major sport events and elite sport development.

Determinants of sport participation in different sports

Previous research has shown that the demographic–economic model consisting of variables such as age, gender, nationality, income, and time can generally be used to explain sport participation. However, this model has not yet been tested for participation in different sports. The purpose of this paper is to test the applicability of the model for different sports and to depict profiles for sport participants in different sports in Germany. Based on data from different sport participation surveys with an overall sample size of n = 26,263, the determinants for practising different sports are tested using regression analyses. The findings suggest that different sports have diverse determinants. For example, the typical tennis player tends to be male, well-educated, and a native of the country. The results indicate that the demographic–economic model is appropriate in predicting sport participation in different sports.

Image Fit between Sport Events and their Hosting Destinations from an Active Sport Tourist Perspective and its Impact on Future Behaviour

Relationships between sport event and destination image have been identified in the literature. It is assumed that there is a common image capital of both the sport event and the hosting destination. Consequently the concept of image fit as the result of a common image capital between a sport event and the hosting destination is of high interest. This study analysed, using indirect multi-attributive measures of fit, sport event and destination image and compared the two images based on a fit index. The sample consists of active sport tourists (i.e. participants of the sport event) at four different endurance sport events throughout Germany (n = 551). Correspondence analyses were used to evaluate the fit qualitatively, whilst a fit measure indicated the degree of image fit. Regression analyses were used to test the influence of socio-demographic and macro-level components such as the degree of urbanization, size and history of the event on image fit. Urbanization and the events history had an influence on image fit. Moreover the role of image fit as a predictor of future behaviour was investigated. It is shown that image fit serves only as a predictor for future visits to the destination. Conversely, sport event image and destination image influence future visits to both the destination and the sport event. Nonetheless, it was shown that image fit can be used as a predictor, even though additional constraints should possibly be included.

Socio-economic patterns of sport demand and ageing

Due to the demographic situation in nowadays societies, physical activity, and sport expenditure have to be analysed from a demographic as well as socio-economical perspective. This means that determinants such as age, gender, nationality/ethnicity, income, time, educational level, profession, and social status have to be taken into account. However, when comparing the various studies, the different methods of analysis and different operationalisation of variables have to be considered. This is in particular vital investigating age. Whilst cross-sectional studies point out that physical activity generally decreases with increasing age, longitudinal analyses come to different results. Previous studies indicate that pertaining to gender more men take part in sports than women. However, considering period and cohort effects, recent longitudinal studies showed that women participate more in sport than in the past. Besides, it was found out that men generally tend to spend more money on sports than women do. A further finding is that the educational level influences physical activity positively. Research revealed that income had a positive impact on both, physical activity and sport expenditure.

Perceived Destination Image: An Image Model for a Winter Sports Destination and Its Effect on Intention to Revisit

The purpose of this study is to develop a destination image model that shows how the overall destination image of a winter sports destination is defined and how it affects the intention to revisit. The article undertakes a review of the relevant literature and develops a structural equation model for destination image, which is tested with data from a survey of n=795 winter sports tourists in Oberstdorf (Germany) and Saalbach-Hinterglemm (Austria), collected between February 14 and 28, 2011. The model depicts that destination image is a multidimensional concept including important sports characteristics and has an impact on tourists’ intention to revisit the winter sports destinations. Practical implications for tourism marketers, for instance, include that more structural development and architectual changes have to be implemented carefully to maintain the tourists’ perception of landscape or their overall image of the destination.

A multi-level framework for investigating the engagement of sport volunteers

Abstract Previous research has extensively investigated the drivers of the decision to volunteer on an individual level. As volunteering usually occurs within an institutional context (e.g., sport club and sport event), the characteristics of the institution must also be considered; however, they have been largely neglected in previous research. A review of the literature on both levels reveals both theoretical and methodological shortcomings which this paper attempts to address. The individual and institutional perspectives are combined resulting in a multi-level framework for the investigation of the drivers of volunteer engagement. Drawing on the heterodox approach and the concept of organizational capacity, the framework consists of an individual and an institutional level. Suggestions for indicators and statistical modeling (multi-level analysis) are provided. The suggested multi-level framework and the multi-level analysis can open new perspectives for research on volunteers in sport.

Family structure, time constraints, and sport participation

Recent research emphasizes the importance of economic factors on sport participation. We extend this by examining the role played by time constraints and family structure in survey data from Rheinberg, Germany. Based on empirical models that account for the two-part decision—the decision to participate and the decision about how long to participate—involved, we find that time constraints in the form of time spent caring for children and relatives and family structure in the form of the presence of children reduce both the likelihood that individuals participate and the time spent taking part in sports.

Determinants of volunteer motivation and their impact on future voluntary engagement

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of volunteers motivation at major sporting events, how those affect future voluntary engagement, and whether there are differences in motivation based on the type of event.Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research design was chosen and volunteers at two major events in handball (n=96) and equestrian (n=83) were surveyed. Structural equation modelling was used based on a multi‐group analysis to answer the guiding research questions.Findings – The results reveal that the expression of values and personal growth are the strongest factors influencing volunteer motivation and future behaviour. The factor “love of sport” had surprisingly no major effect on volunteer motivation at the handball event. Significant differences in volunteer motivation based on the type of event were detected.Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this study is the rather small sample sizes. Nonetheless, the results appear reliable. One i...

Micro and macro level determinants of sport participation.

Purpose – Sport participation is not exclusively determined by individual socio‐demographic factors (micro level) since infrastructure factors such as the availability of sport facilities and sport programmes (macro level) can also play a role in this regard. The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence for these determinants of sport participation using multi‐level analyses.Design/methodology/approach – A survey among the resident population in the city of Munich was carried out in 2008 (n=11,715). Furthermore, secondary data on the available sport infrastructure in every urban district of Munich (n=25) were collected. Multi‐level analyses were conducted to find the micro and macro level determinants of sport participation.Findings – The results show that aside from micro level factors, the availability of swimming pools and parks is especially important for residents’ sport activity. Moreover, sport activity in non‐profit sport clubs can be enhanced by both a good supply of sport programmes offered ...

Event image perceptions among active and passive sports tourists at marathon races

Sports events are tourist attractions and their image components can relate to the destination image concept and structure. This study examined sports event images held by active and passive sports tourists at four marathon races in Germany. Some differences in the perception of event images were found for active and passive sports tourists as well as for different types of destinations. For active sports tourists, emotional, physical and organisational image associations were clustered closer. For passive sports tourists, social and historical image associations were clustered closer. The type of destination elicited different event images among active and passive sports tourists.