Thiago Oliveira Santos, Abel Correia, Rui Biscaia and Ann Pegoraro
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise and measure the construct of fan engagement through social networking sites (SNS).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise and measure the construct of fan engagement through social networking sites (SNS).
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-stage procedure was completed to validate the proposed fan engagement through SNS model with three first-order constructs (fan-to-fan relationships, team-to-fan relationships and fan co-creation). First, a preliminary analysis of the proposed items to capture fan engagement through SNS was conducted through expert review. Second, an assessment of item reliability and construct validity was completed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Finally, CFA and subsequent structural equation model were conducted to review the psychometric properties and to test the relationships between the proposed construct with online and offline behavioural intentions.
Findings
The results indicate good psychometric properties of the constructs of fan-to-fan relationships, team-to-fan relationships and fan co-creation, and these three constructs were significantly related with the second-order construct of fan engagement through SNS. Additionally, the construct of fan engagement through SNS was significantly related to both online and offline behavioural intentions.
Practical implications
These findings suggest that teams should use SNS to interact with fans, to allow fans to share experiences and to involve fans in co-creation processes aimed at increasing engagement and subsequent positive behavioural intentions towards the team.
Originality/value
This study extends previous research by measuring fan engagement through SNS as a multidimensional construct, and testing its predictive effect on fans’ online and offline behavioural intentions. Several suggestions for future studies and strategies for increasing fan engagement can be drawn from this study.
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Tiago Miguel Ribeiro, Abel Correia, Rui Biscaia and Carlos Figueiredo
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of service quality on perceived positive and negative social impact of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of service quality on perceived positive and negative social impact of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Design/methodology/approach
A field study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, and data were collected from residents who attended the Olympic Games through a self-administered questionnaire (n=519). The questionnaire included measures of perceived service quality, positive and negative social impact. A confirmatory factor analysis analysed the psychometric properties of the constructs, and a subsequent structural equation model examined the relationships between service quality and social impact perceptions.
Findings
The results show good psychometric properties of a multidimensional construct of service quality composed of the technical, functional, aesthetic, access, accommodation and complementary events dimensions. The service quality construct was significantly related to both positive social impact (city image and community pride enhancement, social experiences and public infrastructures) and negative social impact (social conflicts and costs) perceptions.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by examining the role of service quality in sport mega-events and testing on different facets of social impact. The findings highlight that social atmosphere and new experiences in the Olympic Games are critical when planning these events.
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Tiago Ribeiro, Abel Correia and Rui Biscaia
Despite the recognition that citizens' perceptions of mega sport events' social impact is critical for the sustainable development of these events and host cities, most previous…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the recognition that citizens' perceptions of mega sport events' social impact is critical for the sustainable development of these events and host cities, most previous studies have not taken into consideration how these perceptions may change over time. This study examines citizens' social impact perceptions of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games before and after the event.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected amongst local residents of Rio de Janeiro pre- and post-event (n = 256). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) analysed the psychometric properties of the proposed social impact constructs. Subsequently, a multigroup analysis and latent mean comparisons were conducted to test social impact perceptions pre- and post-event.
Findings
The multigroup CFA showed factorial stability of the social impact model in both periods, while the latent mean comparisons revealed significant differences in the dimensions of social experiences, city image and community pride enhancement, public infrastructures and social conflicts. Results indicated that the perception of positive impacts tends to increase, while perceived negative impacts decrease from pre- to post-event.
Social implications
The social effects of hosting sport mega events result in a short-term change in attitudes towards the local community, leading to a better comprehension on how communities perceive the event's impact on their lives.
Originality/value
In a highly complex mega event such as the Olympic Games, any change may influence residents' perceptions. The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of residents for determining support or opposition in hosting the event, allowing a better understanding of the exchange effects.
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Rui Biscaia, Abel Correia, Stephen Ross and António Rosado
This research aims to examine football fans' awareness of their team sponsors and to compare sponsorship awareness between season ticket holders and casual spectators. Data was…
Abstract
This research aims to examine football fans' awareness of their team sponsors and to compare sponsorship awareness between season ticket holders and casual spectators. Data was collected from among fans of a professional football team and results revealed that spectators recall 'top of mind' those sponsors with their logo displayed on the team shirts. Thus, being visible from the stadium stands is important to ensure recall rates. Fans are typically able to properly recognise sponsors and non-sponsors of their team. However, some competitor brands engaged in football sponsorship are incorrectly recognised as sponsors of a team. Finally, the number of brands recalled and recognised correctly by season ticket holders is significantly higher than for casual spectators. The research findings, managerial implications, limitations and future research directions are discussed.
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Rui Biscaia, Abel Correia, Masayuki Yoshida, António Rosado and João Marôco
This paper aims to assess service quality in professional football and to examine the effects of service quality and ticket pricing on satisfaction and behavioural intention. Data…
Abstract
This paper aims to assess service quality in professional football and to examine the effects of service quality and ticket pricing on satisfaction and behavioural intention. Data were collected among football fans and the results of a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the psychometric properties of the service quality model. A structural equation model (SEM) revealed that the service quality construct impacts both satisfaction and behavioural intention. Also, behavioural intention is influenced by ticket pricing and satisfaction. Managerial implications of these results are discussed and guidelines for future research are suggested.
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Hossein Omrany and Karam M. Al-Obaidi
This paper aims to elucidate the pivotal role of Digital Twin (DT) technology in addressing the adverse impacts of Urban Heat Island (UHI) and consolidate the fragmented knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to elucidate the pivotal role of Digital Twin (DT) technology in addressing the adverse impacts of Urban Heat Island (UHI) and consolidate the fragmented knowledge of DT technology in urban environments by identifying applied actions, proposing an approach and revealing challenges for tackling UHI effects.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic literature review, 24 materials were retrieved from scholarly databases to provide a comprehensive understanding of DT technology and propose a conceptual framework for mitigating UHI effects.
Findings
The results revealed three major study categories within the DT and UHI domains: (1) DT-enabled actions for urban greenery optimisation, (2) DT implementation for enhancing resilience in urban planning and (3) increasing the fidelity level of DT for addressing UHI effects. Additionally, this paper introduces REFLECT, a conceptual DT-enabled framework consisting of seven layers: Retrieve, Establish, Facilitate, Lump, Examine, Cognition and Take. The framework proposes developing a systems-based model with identifiable scopes, strategies and factors through a multilayered platform, specifying model input, process and output towards mitigating UHI effects.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the discourse on sustainable urban development by highlighting the challenges associated with DT technology in mitigating UHI. It introduces a conceptual framework to demonstrate applications and directions for developing innovative solutions to unlock the full potential of DT technology in mitigating UHI effects.
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The advent of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) has changed the way information is organized, managed, and acquired in business organizations. It is vital for…
Abstract
The advent of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) has changed the way information is organized, managed, and acquired in business organizations. It is vital for information managers that the information needs of the organizations in which they serve be satisfactorily fulfilled. Therefore, in order to fulfill these needs, a complete understanding of how businesses seek, adapt and manage information and knowledge is of the greatest importance. The ultimate objective of this process is to ensure the competitiveness and survival of the organization. This process can be accomplished with the help of these same new information technologies but also by means of human resources, if the personnel in question are well versed in the relationship between business, information, and knowledge. This paper presents the concept of environmental scanning (ES) as reviewed from the literature and suggests the implications for research and the role of information professionals.
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Abel Duarte Alonso and Michelle O’Shea
In the highly competitive professional sports industry, managers of a newly established competition face many challenges, including “converting” or gaining the allegiance of new…
Abstract
In the highly competitive professional sports industry, managers of a newly established competition face many challenges, including “converting” or gaining the allegiance of new groups of consumers (fans, spectators) to their colors. One critical aspect in the converting process relates to the “ideal” game-day experience as perceived by would-be consumers. Gaining knowledge about this area could be critical to professional sport marketers in enhancing the perceived quality of sport events. This study examines the ideal football experience among 1,412 fans of an Australian A-League football (soccer) club. The importance of a lively atmosphere, that of high turnouts of spectators and the opportunity to watch quality and attacking football are highlighted in most comments, even relegating the game’s final score (winning) to a more marginal level of importance. Some of the implications of the findings for professional football marketers and avenues for future research are presented and discussed.
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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an occlusive atherosclerotic disease that affects blood vessels and reduces blood flow in the lower limbs. It is estimated that around 200…
Abstract
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an occlusive atherosclerotic disease that affects blood vessels and reduces blood flow in the lower limbs. It is estimated that around 200 million people worldwide suffered from it, with a significant number of older people affected. Walking is one of the first-line therapeutic measures for intermittent claudication (IC) in patients with PAD. Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) programs effectively increase walking distances, however, remain an underutilized tool because they are not readily available in most clinical centres, are extremely expensive, and patient participation is low mainly due to socioeconomic constraints. Home-based Exercise Therapy (HBET) programs are an effective and low-cost alternative to improve both the functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) of patients with IC, as they are performed in the patient’s area of residence and not in the hospital. The WalkingPad program conciliated a smartphone app – the WalkingPad app – with behaviour change intervention to increase walking distances and decrease walking impairment as well to improve QoL at 6 months.
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While much of contemporary wine tourism research focuses on on‐site winery visitors, little is reported on the level of wine tourism participation among travellers outside the…
Abstract
Purpose
While much of contemporary wine tourism research focuses on on‐site winery visitors, little is reported on the level of wine tourism participation among travellers outside the winery who may not necessarily be winery visitors or wine enthusiasts. This study investigates this dimension from the perspective of travellers.
Design/methodology/approach
Between October and November of 2006, a total of 998 questionnaires were distributed among travellers from the North to the South Island of New Zealand. In all, 500 travellers participated in the study, a 50.1 percent response rate.
Findings
One critical finding of this study is that while winery visitation appears common among domestic travellers, for the majority of international visitors lack of knowledge of New Zealand wines and wineries is their main reason not to visit wineries while members of this group travel in New Zealand.
Research limitations/implications
The potential limitations of choosing a predominantly quantitative approach, as well as choosing specific days of the week for the questionnaire distribution are acknowledged in this study.
Practical implications
The overall results suggest that if wine tourism is to continue its present development in New Zealand, winery operators and the wine industry need to address several issues identified in this study, particularly overseas travellers' apparent lack of knowledge about New Zealand's wine and wine tourism.
Originality/value
This study examines wine tourism from a different perspective, namely, that of travellers who might not necessarily fall under the wine tourist category. This dimension has been ignored for the most part in previous wine tourism research. The study also provides avenues for future research to further explore this dimension of tourism/wine tourism.