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COVID-19 continues to represent the challenge to Taekwondo (TKD) schools. TKD schools have been closed and faced with decreasing participants due to the Pandemic. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which service quality factors predict member intention for renewal in TKD schools. The target population evaluated for this study consisted of individuals aged at least 18 years or older who had attended a TKD schools. This study conducted for TKD members in the U.S.. A total of 159 participants were recruited via both in-person and online surveys. This study revealed that TKD members in U.S. of various demographic backgrounds had different perceptions of service quality factors that affected their attendance at TKD schools. The findings of this study will indicate the impact on the satisfaction of various TKD programs and maintenance of membership.

Previous studies have indicated that young students who play sports look up to professional athletes and perceive these athletes as their role models. However, empirical studies that examine such perceptions comprehensively have not been conducted. In order to fill this gap in the literature, the current study developed a multi-dimensional scale to measure college student athletes’ attitudes toward professional athlete role models. The eight-factor sports role model scale has 40 items. The results of this study indicate that student athletes observe and emulate the eight dimensions of their sports role model’s behavior on and off the court in order to become like that role model. Such findings support social learning theory in the sport management discipline.

The purpose of the study was to examine how multidimensional event operation quality factors (i.e., game operation, stadium quality, game accessibility, and store operation) would influence perceiv...

This study is to examine the different fan motivation factors existed depending on the level of fan identification. Specifically, this study is to determine if the exposure to brutal violence in MMA as a fan motivation factor had a greater effect on the consumption for low identified fans vs. consumption for high identified MMA fans. The research was looking to test whether exposure to brutal violence was more of a common motivation factor in low identified fans than in high identified fans; where high identified fans had other motivation factors (skill of the fighters and overall interest in the sport). The target population of this study was participants 18 years and over with fan interest in MMA.. The findings of the study only revealed a slight negative correlation between the exposure to brutal violence and low level of fan identification. Results of the study also showed a strong positive correlation between high fan involvement and the motivation factors of skill of the fighters involved and overall interest in the sport.

Purpose This study was conducted to ensure that the selected antecedent concepts, including market demand and psychological factors, were fully focused and studied in detail and depth. The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a theoretical framework that specifies direct and indirect relationships among market demand, perceived benefits, perceived constraint, perceived value, consumer satisfaction and member commitment in martial arts programs. Design/methodology/approach Research participants (n=595) were martial arts school participants, who resided in the USA. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the measurement model and the proposed model was tested by conducting structural equation modeling analyses. Findings Findings of this study indicated that perceived benefits and perceived constraints partially mediated the relationship between the market demand factors and perceived value, which in turn influenced member satisfaction and commitment. Economic Condition Consideration was found to be the most critical predictor of market demand. Originality/value Generating what-to-do and how-to-do implications that were specific to martial arts school and marketing practices were the priority of the investigators of this study. Administrators of martial arts programs may consider adopting the resultant theoretical framework as a general guide in their marketing efforts to recruit and retain program participants.

The purpose of the current study is to identify if the UN resolution for Olympic Truce affects peace around the period of the Olympic Games based on functionalism. Methodologically, this study uses a diverse case technique and compares the two following cases: the first case is the Olympic Games, which did not have the UN resolution for Olympic Truce (The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics), while the other is the Olympic Games which had the UN resolution for Olympic Truce (The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics). This study determines, firstly, that functional international organizations can actualize their common values (i.e., peace and human rights) and establish world order by cooperating with multiple international organizations, which is more effective than one organization behaving independently. Secondly, through the results, we have confirmed that sports can be an effective mediator in making the world peaceful with unanimous support from the international society.

Purpose By using table tennis as an example and conducting an in-depth investigation into the impact of market demand factors on membership consumption of table tennis club members in the USA, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate the opportunities and marketing efforts needed for Asian sports to survive and thrive in North America, in which consumer demand factors assessing core program features of table tennis clubs were found to be very influential of cognitive, affective, and behavioral consumptions of table tennis club members. Design/methodology/approach Through conducting a review of literature, observations of club operations, and interviews of club administrators and club members representing various table tennis clubs, a preliminary questionnaire was formulated for this study. The initial questionnaire was submitted to a panel of five experts, for a test of content validity. By incorporating their suggestions, editing was made to improve a number of the items in the questionnaire. Data collection took place in two national table tennis tournaments, two local tournaments, and six table tennis clubs. Procedures in SPSS 19.0 (SPSS, 2009) and Mplus 5.21 were carried out for data analyses. Findings The findings of this study are that market demand factors would be significantly related to consumer perceived benefits and perceived value, and in turn related to consumer satisfaction of table tennis club membership. The market demand factors had a positive impact on perceived value and benefits confirmed the theoretical framework and previous research findings, which also made a practical sense that a table tennis club needs to offer product features and meet expectations of its current and potential members in order to enhance program value and benefits perceived by its members. Originality/value The past two decades have marked the speediest rise of a globalized sport production and consumption trend. In an era of globalized sport marketplace, sports have become a business commodity to meet the needs of commerce. For an Asian sport to penetrate into the North American marketplace as table tennis has done, it would be wise to develop regional network, strategies, product, and promotions. It is expected that table tennis as a popular Asian sport will continue being spread to other parts of the world; thus, the findings of this study have potential relevance to promoting table tennis globally.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the key factors that affect the formulation of regional strategies for developing and advancing the sport industry in China. Design/methodology/approach Guided by the comparative advantage theory, qualitative and quantitative research procedures were carried out to analyze the variables that were deemed necessary for the development of regional advantages. Findings The findings of this study indicated the importance and relevance of understanding these comparative advantage factors when developing regional strategies for sport development in China or other countries with a developing economy. Research limitations/implications This study was largely exploratory in nature, meaning that future confirmatory studies are necessary in order to solidify the results and to encompass the wide-ranging diversity of the total sport industry. Practical implications The study provided practical implications for other countries to address the needs to discern among varying sectors of the sport industry and prioritize factors that are specific to regions, communities, and local environments in the strategic planning process. Originality/value The findings of this study highlighted the importance and relevance of four comparative advantage factors and the varying sectors of the sport industry variables in the region.

This study aimed to examine the degree to which service quality attributes can predict spectators’ revisit intention and word-of-mouth (WOM). A total of 551 spectators from a Formula One Chinese Grand Prix venue were selected to participate in a survey by using the convenience sampling method. Multiple regression analyses showed that service quality has a significant influence on behavioral intentions. Specifically, five of six service quality attributes (i.e., convenience, facilities, price, game experience, and promotion), had a significant effect on revisit intention, whereas four of six service quality attributes (i.e., convenience, facilities, game experience, and staff) had a significant effect on WOM. This study could suggest sport event marketers to consider functional services including price, location, and designation of the stadium or service place in order to attract more sport audiences.

This study was examined the new money generated from Formula One Grand Prix (F1) and the economic impacts of this new money on the host economy using input–output analysis. We find that the impact of the new money from non-local attendees or international attendees is more pronounced compared to that from local attendees. Also, F1 event appears to influence on sports-related industry as well as other industries such as manufacturing industry. Our findings suggest that the host cities should focus on increasing the non-local and international attendees in order to enhance the economic impacts of a sport event.

We investigated the level of Chinese soccer fans' satisfaction with the development of professional soccer in China on the basis of their attention to, and involvement with, the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) and its teams. Research participants (N = 926) were spectators at CSL games who responded to a questionnaire. Results revealed that the attention consumers paid to, and their involvement with, the CSL were negatively related to their satisfaction with the league's operation and marketing. These findings contradict existing theories and beliefs that positive consumer cognition leads to positive consumer affect, indicating the presence of serious issues associated with the CSL administration. The failings of the CSL are discussed.

Taekwondo (TKD) has seen rapid growth as a universal martial art sport due, in part, to it being an Olympic Games event. TKD has played a very important role in the construction of the image of Korea as a nation brand. This chapter provides an extensive discussion on factors affecting consumer decisions to participate in TKD schools. The suggested factors in this chapter provide specific implications to the marketing of TKD based on the unique characteristics of the TKD market environment. This chapter also illustrates how TKD organizations have maintained a close working relationship with the Korean government to seek financial and human resources support.