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The study develops a new human-centered approach that specifically focuses on residents’ perspectives and active participation in smaller sporting events.
A key finding is the introduction of an interactive dimension that takes into account not only personal and external factors but also the social relationships between residents and the event.
Under this new model, residents are no longer viewed as passive participants, but rather as active partners and co-creators of the sporting event.
The study finds that local ties and opportunities for participation at smaller events lead to stronger engagement and more sustained support than at large mega-events.
Abstract of this study
The area of community engagement is well established in the field of event studies. Despite the growing academic discourse on smaller events in recent years, community-focused research often remains empirically repetitive and shows little conceptual progress. This article examines the theoretical, contextual, and methodological limitations of existing frameworks and aims to reconceptualize support for local residents in the context of non-mega-sport events (small-scale sporting events) from a people-centered perspective.
By integrating perspectives on co-creation and social interaction, residents are positioned as active stakeholders whose engagement is shaped not only by internal and external factors but also by relational dynamics. This theoretical advancement responds to the distinctive characteristics of non-mega sports events (small-scale sports events), which are often deeply rooted in the community and have a participatory nature. The proposed approach contributes to more inclusive and sustainable practices in event planning and evaluation and provides a foundation for future research to systematically capture the complexity of local residents’ participation in such events.
Key Findings of This Study
- People-centered Approach: The study calls for a shift in perspective toward a model that places residents’ subjective experiences and needs at the center of event planning.
- Active Participation: Residents should no longer be viewed merely as passive spectators or those affected, but rather as active partners who help shape the event as co-creators.
- Interactive Dimension: A crucial new element of the research model is the importance of social relationships and the quality of interactions between residents, organizers, and participants.
- Local Embedding: In contrast to global mega-events, smaller sporting events (non-mega-sport events) are often deeply rooted in the local community and make use of existing infrastructure.
- Holistic Influencing Factors: Local residents’ support is determined by an interplay of personal attitudes (internal), the event’s framework conditions (external), and social dynamics (interactive).
- Sustainable Social Benefits: By actively involving local residents, events can be better tailored to local needs such as health promotion and community development, ensuring long-term acceptance.