Digital Commons Network^™

Construct Validity Of Social Impact Scales For Sport Events, Marijke Taks, Littlejohn Meagan, Laura Wiood, Ryan Snelgrove

Human Kinetics Publications

This study tests the construct validity of two different social impact scales by comparing the perceived social impact of a non-mega sport event for the same group of respondents. To date, several theories have underpinned the development of various social impact scales, and there is a need for more robust and unified measurement tools. Data were collected from 626 residents in the context of the 2014 Ontario Summer Games (OSG). Event attendees (29%) and non-event attendees (71%) completed a questionnaire (electronically or on paper) which included 17 social impact items, reflecting two previously developed social impact scales (SIS-A consisting of …

Multi-Functionality And Occupations Of Sport And Physical Activity Professionals In Spain, Antonio Campos-Izquierdo, María Dolores González-Rivera, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

Increased attention to the multiple benefits attributed to sport and physical activity in recent years, has boosted the sport industry and related employment opportunities. Sport and physical activity (SPA) professionals are central in delivering the core services in this sector. This paper analyses the key functions of Spanish SPA professionals in order to reveal the range of opportunities and to strengthen their position in a tapering labour market in Spain.

Face-to-face interviews based on a standardized questionnaire were conducted with 2500 SPA professionals, who were active in 1797 sports facilities across the country. Functions and multi-functionality were analyzed based on …

Impacts And Strategic Outcomes From Non-Mega Sport Events For Local Communities, Marijke Taks, Laurence Chalip, B. Christine Green

Human Kinetics Publications

The staging of sport events directly impacts the quality of life of people living in the host communities. Sport events are temporal and can trigger a variety of short- or long-term, positive or negative impacts, which lead to positive or negative outcomes, and if sustained, these outcomes have been called ‘legacies.’ Impacts may result from strategic planning, but more often than not there is scant strategic planning for event outcomes, so impacts are typically haphazard and unplanned (albeit hoped for). Strategic planning for event outcomes (aka: leveraging) differs from mere legacy planning because it focuses attention on the means to …

A Theoretical Comparison Of The Economic Impact Of Large And Small Events, Nola Agha, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

In response to the increasing debate on the relative worth of small events compared to large events, we create a theoretical model to determine whether smaller events are more likely to create positive economic impact. First, event size and city size are redefined as continuums of resources. The concepts of event resource demand (ERD) and city resource supply (CRS) are introduced, allowing for a joint analysis of supply and demand. When local economic conditions are brought into the analysis, the framework determines how a city resource deficiency or surplus affects the economic impact of an event. This resource-based approach assists …