Final Report Summary - LEGACIESOCIALCAPGR (An Evaluation of the Legacies of Sporting Mega Events on Social Capital in Greece)
The project had three key Research Objectives (ROs): i) RO1. What are the impacts of sporting mega events on social capital? (Positive or negative)? Do they generate short-term or long-term legacies of social capital? ii) RO2. How sporting mega events affect the social capital of specific groups?a. Volunteers: How certain activities linked with mega events and social capital (e.g. volunteering) affect individuals? b. Immigrants: To what extent sporting mega events have an impact on the social capital of marginal populations such as immigrants? iii) RO3 refers to knowledge dissemination as an integral part of the research work carried out in the project.
For achieving each Research Objective, a respective set of Work Packages/ Tasks was planned and completed (RO1: Tasks 1.1-1.5; RO2: Tasks 2.1-2.4; RO3: Tasks 3.1-3.3). RO1 - Task 1.1 Review Literature I A comprehensive Systematic Review reviewed the worldwide literature in terms of the concepts and assumptions underlying the nature of ‘social capital’ adopted for the sporting context research. It provided a more precise understanding of its distinctive meanings but also advances knowledge by producing a synthesis of evidence that addresses the impact of sport on the development of social capital. Task 1.2 Engineered an appropriate measurement tool. Taking a critical approach and based on the systematic review the fellow identified emerged issues from current research and highlighted several potential areas that need measurement. On these grounds appropriate questions were synthesized in a research questionnaire. Task 1.3 Research design (defining sample size etc.)While composing the research design we examined all the available relevant tools, especially in the context of Greece. A national survey had been conducted in 2003 by a Greek research Centre called “KEPE” (Centre for Programming and Financial Research) and used a large part of their questionnaires and resources. Task 1.4 Data was collected in a large-scale online survey conducted in “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”. Task 1.5 Data was analyzed using the appropriate statistical packages and the relevant reports were generated.
RO2 - Task 2.1 Review literature II The Systematic Review had a great scope covering many sub-sections. For RO2 clearly dedicated sections of the literature were developed that dealt more specifically with social capital, mega sport events and certain populations such as volunteers and immigrants. Task 2.2 Research design (defining sample size etc.) Research design was same as for RO1 but we made sure that the questionnaire and sampling methods were also appropriate for collecting data with regards to the particular research objective(s).Task 2.3 Data was collected in a large-scale online survey conducted in “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”. Task 2.4 Data was analyzed using the appropriate statistical packages and the relevant reports were generated.
RO3 - Task 3.1 Academic publications. A list of papers has been drafted and scheduled to be submitted to esteemed academic journals. Those articles are the fully developed articles presented in conferences and seminars (see Task 3.2) Task 3.2 Conferences and seminars. The fellow presented papers in 8 academic conferences in 3 different countries; and delivered 13 invited talks in 6 different countries. (see Section A of this report for full info) Task 3.3 Organize workshop(s). The fellow organized a one-day Workshop on the 15th of May 2014 in a joint partnership of the Regional Development Institute (the Host Institute) with the Panteion School of International Relations, Communication and Culture. There were panel debates and Invited Professors from diverse academic backgrounds such as history, economics, management, journalism etc.
Our findings have shown that volunteers are more inclined to be active citizens and engage with decision-making of the clubs or organisations of which they are members. Also it was shown that they offer volunteering activities regularly rather than sporadically. They demonstrate a high degree of social connectedness and have an active social life with frequent meetings in public with friends and family. As Putnam (1995) emphasises, volunteering can contribute to the development of social capital for communities, and has already been recognized as having an important role in increasing civic engagement and community involvement (Wilson and Musick, 1999). Our results also suggest that runners demonstrate a good level of trust towards their fellow citizens (much less to politicians), as well as social connectedness but sport participation may not be inherently special in the development of social capital as the results indicate in relation to membership, decision-making, and participation/ attendance in local events. In terms of bridging social capital, it is quite clear from the findings that the majority of the runners who are members in organisations, clubs or teams they also demonstrate a high degree of interaction with people from different neighborourhoods, religion, sex, age, job, education, income, political positioning, as well as (but less so) ethnicity.
In conclusion, overall among volunteers and runners, we observe that those who do not exercise appear to be less keen to engage with events of collective action and cooperation while those registered in a private gym also tend to participate less often to events of their local community. The highest values in relation to collective action and cooperation are by those registered in a sports club and those who are members in a public gym, though overall volunteering ethos is not particularly high among all groups. This is slightly better when it comes specifically to sports volunteering (particularly for those registered in a sports club). The sense of belonging to their community is higher to those who use the public gyms, especially when compared to those who use a private gym. The latter also feel more isolated than any other group. Overall those who use the public gyms make more use of their local leisure facilities and also wish to get informed more about the local news. There is an agreement among all groups that attending local sports events increase their sense of belonging, while local sports teams are mostly supported by those who are registered in sports clubs (with or without fees).
The final results are much more multilayered and complex than those briefly presented here. They brought to light new evidence with regards to social capital and sport, particularly in relation to sporting mega events such as the Athens Marathon. The Authentic Such knowledge is primarily important for Greece in times of crisis as it can mobilize top-down national and local governments and/or bottom-up voluntary associations and other groups to develop new or improve the existing sport initiatives for community building and engagement through sport. Moreover, the worldwide literature on sport and social capital has been further enriched with new knowledge in an area that largely lacks evidence.
For achieving each Research Objective, a respective set of Work Packages/ Tasks was planned and completed (RO1: Tasks 1.1-1.5; RO2: Tasks 2.1-2.4; RO3: Tasks 3.1-3.3). RO1 - Task 1.1 Review Literature I A comprehensive Systematic Review reviewed the worldwide literature in terms of the concepts and assumptions underlying the nature of ‘social capital’ adopted for the sporting context research. It provided a more precise understanding of its distinctive meanings but also advances knowledge by producing a synthesis of evidence that addresses the impact of sport on the development of social capital. Task 1.2 Engineered an appropriate measurement tool. Taking a critical approach and based on the systematic review the fellow identified emerged issues from current research and highlighted several potential areas that need measurement. On these grounds appropriate questions were synthesized in a research questionnaire. Task 1.3 Research design (defining sample size etc.)While composing the research design we examined all the available relevant tools, especially in the context of Greece. A national survey had been conducted in 2003 by a Greek research Centre called “KEPE” (Centre for Programming and Financial Research) and used a large part of their questionnaires and resources. Task 1.4 Data was collected in a large-scale online survey conducted in “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”. Task 1.5 Data was analyzed using the appropriate statistical packages and the relevant reports were generated.
RO2 - Task 2.1 Review literature II The Systematic Review had a great scope covering many sub-sections. For RO2 clearly dedicated sections of the literature were developed that dealt more specifically with social capital, mega sport events and certain populations such as volunteers and immigrants. Task 2.2 Research design (defining sample size etc.) Research design was same as for RO1 but we made sure that the questionnaire and sampling methods were also appropriate for collecting data with regards to the particular research objective(s).Task 2.3 Data was collected in a large-scale online survey conducted in “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”. Task 2.4 Data was analyzed using the appropriate statistical packages and the relevant reports were generated.
RO3 - Task 3.1 Academic publications. A list of papers has been drafted and scheduled to be submitted to esteemed academic journals. Those articles are the fully developed articles presented in conferences and seminars (see Task 3.2) Task 3.2 Conferences and seminars. The fellow presented papers in 8 academic conferences in 3 different countries; and delivered 13 invited talks in 6 different countries. (see Section A of this report for full info) Task 3.3 Organize workshop(s). The fellow organized a one-day Workshop on the 15th of May 2014 in a joint partnership of the Regional Development Institute (the Host Institute) with the Panteion School of International Relations, Communication and Culture. There were panel debates and Invited Professors from diverse academic backgrounds such as history, economics, management, journalism etc.
Our findings have shown that volunteers are more inclined to be active citizens and engage with decision-making of the clubs or organisations of which they are members. Also it was shown that they offer volunteering activities regularly rather than sporadically. They demonstrate a high degree of social connectedness and have an active social life with frequent meetings in public with friends and family. As Putnam (1995) emphasises, volunteering can contribute to the development of social capital for communities, and has already been recognized as having an important role in increasing civic engagement and community involvement (Wilson and Musick, 1999). Our results also suggest that runners demonstrate a good level of trust towards their fellow citizens (much less to politicians), as well as social connectedness but sport participation may not be inherently special in the development of social capital as the results indicate in relation to membership, decision-making, and participation/ attendance in local events. In terms of bridging social capital, it is quite clear from the findings that the majority of the runners who are members in organisations, clubs or teams they also demonstrate a high degree of interaction with people from different neighborourhoods, religion, sex, age, job, education, income, political positioning, as well as (but less so) ethnicity.
In conclusion, overall among volunteers and runners, we observe that those who do not exercise appear to be less keen to engage with events of collective action and cooperation while those registered in a private gym also tend to participate less often to events of their local community. The highest values in relation to collective action and cooperation are by those registered in a sports club and those who are members in a public gym, though overall volunteering ethos is not particularly high among all groups. This is slightly better when it comes specifically to sports volunteering (particularly for those registered in a sports club). The sense of belonging to their community is higher to those who use the public gyms, especially when compared to those who use a private gym. The latter also feel more isolated than any other group. Overall those who use the public gyms make more use of their local leisure facilities and also wish to get informed more about the local news. There is an agreement among all groups that attending local sports events increase their sense of belonging, while local sports teams are mostly supported by those who are registered in sports clubs (with or without fees).
The final results are much more multilayered and complex than those briefly presented here. They brought to light new evidence with regards to social capital and sport, particularly in relation to sporting mega events such as the Athens Marathon. The Authentic Such knowledge is primarily important for Greece in times of crisis as it can mobilize top-down national and local governments and/or bottom-up voluntary associations and other groups to develop new or improve the existing sport initiatives for community building and engagement through sport. Moreover, the worldwide literature on sport and social capital has been further enriched with new knowledge in an area that largely lacks evidence.
