Michael Anagnostou and George Tzetzis
The purpose of this research was to develop a scale to measure the football league brand associations such as the “UEFA Champions League” and to investigate their influence on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research was to develop a scale to measure the football league brand associations such as the “UEFA Champions League” and to investigate their influence on brand loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was developed and tested through a pilot test (N = 120) and the final questionnaire was administered among Greek sport spectators (N = 460). The factor structure was tested through an exploratory factor analysis and a regression analysis was used to examine the predictability of fans' brand loyalty by the league brand association dimensions.
Findings
Six brand association factors were revealed through the exploratory factor analysis: elite management, entertainment, elite-sportsmanship participants, escape, elite refereeing and corporate identity. In addition, new brand associations and elements were found: elite refereeing which included fast football and the league anthem was found to coexist with logo. Elite management, entertainment, escape and corporate identity were found to influence brand loyalty variables.
Practical implications
The study revealed a useful tool to measure sport leagues' brand associations, to measure their influence on Greek fans' loyalty and build strong, unique and favourable consumer-based brand associations.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the sports brand associations research by examining brand associations in the context of European leagues and elite-level football competitions. It also contributes by identifying and revealing new brand associations and new elements to co-exist with other already known sports brand associations. Finally, it examines the influence of the new brand-specific associations to the brand loyalty of the “UEFA Champions League” competition for Greek sport fans.
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Athanasios Laios and George Tzetzis
Coaches as leaders of sports teams should identify the causes of conflict between the athletes and handle conflict effectively. The aim of this study was to examine the methods…
Abstract
Coaches as leaders of sports teams should identify the causes of conflict between the athletes and handle conflict effectively. The aim of this study was to examine the methods and ways coaches use to handle conflict in professional teams in Greece. The sample consisted of 42 professional football‐soccer, basketball and volley ball coaches, which were surveyed using questionnaires. Using the descriptive statistics and the one‐way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), it was found that: a) coaches are using five styles in order to manage conflict, and b) the most effective styles that can resolve team conflicts are the collaborating style, the compromising style and the avoiding style and the least effective styles from those suggested are the competing style and the accommodating style.
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George Tzetzis, Kostantinos Alexandris and Sophia Kapsampeli
– The purpose of this paper is to test if the service quality model, proposed by Shonk and Chelladurai (2008), can be applied in the context of a small-scale sport event.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test if the service quality model, proposed by Shonk and Chelladurai (2008), can be applied in the context of a small-scale sport event.
Design/methodology/approach
This model proposes the following dimensions: access quality, venue quality and contest quality. Furthermore the study aimed to test if satisfaction acts as a mediator of the relationships between service quality and behavioral intentions.
Findings
The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) provided support for the factorial validity of the service quality model. The psychometric properties of all the scales were satisfactory. In terms of the mediation analysis the results provided partially support for the hypotheses. Satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between access, venue quality and intention and partially mediated the relationship between contest quality and intentions. Furthermore, satisfaction partially mediated all the relationships between the quality dimensions and word-of-mouth communications. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils a need to develop a service quality model and its influence for visitors’ satisfaction and behavioral intentions at small-scale sport events.
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This paper aims to develop and test an integrative model of the relationship between affective conflict and firm performance considering the control effects of four contextual…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop and test an integrative model of the relationship between affective conflict and firm performance considering the control effects of four contextual variables, namely, decision motive, firm size, type of ownership and environmental hostility.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on empirical data gathered from the Egyptian manufacturing sector. The measures of this study enjoy a significant degree of reliability and validity.
Findings
The results suggest that affective conflict is a significant predictor of firm performance.
Research limitations/implications
The most serious limitation of the study is that data on the study variables are collected from one respondent in each firm. Another important limitation is that different kinds of conflict are not examined in order to explain the different roles which they can play in strategic decision making (SDM).
Originality/value
The paper contributes to knowledge in the area of SDM by developing a richer model of affective conflict in a region, i.e. Africa and the Arab world, where little research can be found.
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Awn Muhammad and James Hazelton
Responding to calls for accountants to engage with modern technologies and explore data visualisation within a three-dimensional (3D) environment, this study aims to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
Responding to calls for accountants to engage with modern technologies and explore data visualisation within a three-dimensional (3D) environment, this study aims to explore whether social and environmental accounting (SEA) data visualisation is a promising use case for 3D game engine technology.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on visual perception and embodiment theories, this study uses photo-elicitation, a qualitative research method, to explore the usefulness of two-dimensional (2D) and 3D visualisations of sustainability information in a 3D virtual environment. This study provides three stimuli: numerical data, 2D visualisations and 3D visualisations, and asks open-ended questions regarding future applications. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics, preparers and users of sustainability reports to obtain responses to these stimuli.
Findings
The key finding is that visualisation of SEA information may indeed be a strong use case for 3D game technology, but only for certain data and for certain audiences. Presenting information within a 3D virtual environment offered enhanced engagement and contextual understanding but reduced navigation speed and data clarity. Participants were enthusiastic about the potential of a museum-like experience, incorporating interactivity and community, but felt that the appropriate audience was more likely to be novices than experts.
Practical implications
This study suggests that deploying 3D game engine technology can be a powerful tool for presenting sustainability information but requires significant resources. The optimum audience is likely to be novices, and a key design principle is to ensure the virtual environment supports, rather than overwhelms, the information presented within that environment.
Originality/value
This study introduces a novel application of 3D visualisation technology within the SEA context, offering original insights into its potential to enhance user understanding and decision-making capabilities. This study highlights the technology’s value not as a replacement for traditional reporting but as a supplementary educational tool. The study also provides a novel setting for the photo-elicitation method, demonstrating this approach’s utility in a 3D environment.
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Abrar Malik, Mir Irfan Ul Haq, Ankush Raina and Kapil Gupta
Environmental degradation has emerged as one of the major limitations of industrial revolution and has led to an increased focus towards developing sustainable strategies and…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental degradation has emerged as one of the major limitations of industrial revolution and has led to an increased focus towards developing sustainable strategies and techniques. This paper aims to highlight the sustainability aspects of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology that helps towards a better implementation of Industry 4.0. It also aims to provide a brief picture of relationships between 3D printing, Industry 4.0 and sustainability. The major goal is to facilitate the researchers, scholars, engineers and recommend further research, development and innovations in the field.
Design/methodology/approach
The various enabling factors for implementation of Industry 4.0 are discussed in detail. Some barriers to incorporation of 3D Printing, its applications areas and global market scenario are also discussed. A through literature review has been done to study the detailed relationships between 3D printing, Industry 4.0 and sustainability.
Findings
The technological benefits of 3D printing are many such as weight savings, waste minimization and energy savings. Further, the production of new 3D printable materials with improved features helps in reducing the wastage of material during the process. 3D printing if used at a large scale would help industries to implement the concept of Industry 4.0.
Originality/value
This paper focuses on discussing technological revolution under Industry 4.0 and incorporates 3D printing-type technologies that largely change the product manufacturing scenario. The interrelationships between 3D printing, Industry 4.0 and sustainability have been discussed.