Investigating residents’ attitudes of 2016 Olympic Games: Examining socio-cultural, economic and environmental dimensions

Abstract

Purpose

Olympic Games provide an arguably unparalleled amount of opportunities for the host city and country in relation to economic and socio-cultural growth and development. However, the achievement of such long-term success measures lies with the holistic involvement of community groups, specifically residents, in the planning of the mega event. The purpose of this paper is to examine the residents’ attitudes of the 2016 Olympic Games and to verify moderating effects of place of residence in support of the Games.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected in Brazil in the months leading to the Rio Olympic Games using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A total of 501 responses were collected prior to the opening ceremony of the event. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied.

Findings

The socio-cultural and economic dimensions had a positive and significant effect in support for the Olympic Games; however, the environmental dimension did not have such strong effect. Furthermore, differences between host and non-host city residents tested positive in support of the Olympic Games.

Practical implications

This study aims to contribute to the developing application of country branding by examining attitudes of internal stakeholder groups in the form of residents.

Originality/value

This research presents a conceptual model to further establish the importance of such attitudes for organizers and government authorities involved with the bidding, planning and management of mega events from a country branding perspective, particularly in developing countries such as Brazil.

Citation

Maheshwari, V., Giraldi, J.d.M.E. and Montanari, M.G. (2019), "Investigating residents’ attitudes of 2016 Olympic Games: Examining socio-cultural, economic and environmental dimensions", Journal of Place Management and Development, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 291-313. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMD-08-2018-0059