Interorganizational cooperation in sport tourism: A social network analysis

Cooperation among organizations is crucial in many fields of sport management. However, little is known about how and why interorganizational cooperation occurs. In this study, cooperative relations among organizations were investigated in an informal sport tourism network in a German community and its surrounding area to explore the structure of interorganizational cooperation and demonstrate the value of social network analysis methods for understanding mechanisms of interorganizational cooperation. Statistical network analyses based on relational data revealed that the network of cooperation is sparse but characterized by substantial clustering, indicating a tendency for cooperation to occur in triangular structures. The most central network actor was a local sports agency, but there was no mechanism of preferential attachment. Other significant mechanisms for cooperative tie formation were brokerage and homophily regarding organizational aims. Lack of time and incompatible goals are the most important barriers to cooperation. The results add to prior qualitative studies and provide implications for managing sport tourism networks.     

Politicians’ perspective on the community-related impacts of major sports events – a case study for Innsbruck-Tyrol

While scholarly attention with respect to the social impacts of sports events has increased in recent years, there is still little research discussing the wide-ranging community-related impacts stemming particularly from major sports events. Local political leaders, as (elected) representatives of the community, are important stakeholders within this context and face the challenge of balancing diverse interests in the implementation of major sports events. The purpose of this study is to assess the importance politicians attribute to event impacts that create sustainable outcomes for residents living in a host city. Based on a content analysis, a list of general event impacts (outputs and legacies) produced by major sports events was created and subsequently discussed with scholars and experts in the field to classify the criteria as community relevant or not. A final number of 56 criteria (34 of which are considered community relevant) was then used in the assessment of the politicians’ (representing either the State of Tyrol or the City of Innsbruck) attitude towards these impacts. The findings of the study indicate that, though aware of community interests, politicians nevertheless prioritize economic and touristic benefits for the host city/region such as place marketing. Moreover, politicians seem to have a better understanding of tangible impacts (e.g. infrastructure), underestimating the important intangible impacts (e.g. voluntariness) closely related to community issues. Thus, the research in hand outlines the need to sensitize governments to community interests when planning and implementing major sports events.     

The effect of familiarity on associated sponsor and event brand attitudes following negative celebrity endorser publicity

This research examined how familiarity with a brand influences how negative publicity related to a celebrity endorser is perceived. Specifically, the current research determined if familiarity with event and sponsor brands may temper any negative consequences of being linked with negative celebrity endorser publicity. Two studies were conducted to investigate this aim. Study 1 (n = 136) used unfamiliar brands and indicated attitudes towards the selected sponsor and the event brands were significantly reduced after negative publicity surrounding an associated celebrity endorser emerged. In contrast, individuals not exposed to negative publicity did not report reduced attitude scores. Study 2 (n = 272) used unfamiliar and familiar brands and found that negative publicity surrounding celebrity endorsers has the capacity to weaken attitudes towards associated event and sponsor brands. However, any negative impact was tempered by an individual's familiarity with the respective brand, indicating brand familiarity has a moderating effect on brand attitudes within the sports marketplace. This research furthers understandings related to sport sponsorship theory by assessing the role of brand familiarity in tempering information transference. Additionally, the paper provides insights to the events category which has not been researched previously. Brand managers can use this information to develop proactive and reactive strategies to employ to protect their brands when celebrity endorsers attract negative publicity.     

试论田径运动速度力量类项群体能训练策略

体能训练体系建立是现代体育竞技模式发展的一次飞跃,同时也为世界体育竞技事业做出了突出的贡献。随着竞技体育的发展,田径类项目速度力量类项群的体能训练已经逐渐发展为一门独立的学科,其体系的建立健全使田径项目训练的实效大大提升,运动员的竞技成绩也不断提高和突破。想要提高项目（群）运动员的体能水平,就必须科学地认识该项目（群）的生物学特质,从而采取有效地运用机体适应规律,选择科学有效的训练模式。