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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 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.

Since the introduction of martial arts in the United States, the sport of Taekwondo (TKD) has rapidly grown and developed. Although the elevated interest in this sport has increased the magnitude of the TKD market, no systematic studies have been conducted to investigate the market demand variables associated with TKD schools in North America. To a great extent, lack of study has been due to the unavailability of a viable measure. The purpose of this study was to identify the dimensions of market demand for TKD schools and develop the Scale of Market Demand Associated with Taekwondo School (SMD-TKD). Research participants (N = 205) were TKD school members who were 18 years and older from 22 TKD schools in major cities of Florida. A factor analysis using principal component extraction and varimax rotation produced six factors with 51 items returned (i.e., Personal Benefits, School Operation, Instruction Quality, Program Offering, Locker Room, and Cultural Learning). Multiples regression analysis revealed that all market demand factors, except for Program Offering and Cultural Learning, were positively (p < .05) predictive of TKD consumption, suggesting that the SMD-TKD is useful for marketing studies on TKD consumers.

This study purported to deepen the understanding of sport consumers' decision-making regarding Asian female sports based on the concepts of market demand and game support programmes. The effects of three aspects of sport events - including game attractiveness, event promotion, and event operation - on consumers' value perception of Asian female sports, revisiting intention, word-of-mouth, and overall consumption frequency were empirically tested. Participants were 677 spectators attending six Asian female professional basketball events. A two-step approach (CFA and SEM) was conducted for data analyses. The CFA revealed that the overall measurement model fit the data reasonably well. In addition, the SEM indicated that the specified structural model exhibited an appropriate model fit, and two latent constructs (game attractiveness and event operation) positively affected participants' perceived value of female sports, which in turn improved their revisiting intention and word-of-mouth. Finally, word-of-mouth was found to increase the overall game consumption level.