Eliciting the Dynamics of Leading a Sustainable Event: Key Informant Responses

John Ensor,Jane Ali-Knight,Martin Robertson

doi:10.3727/152599511x13175676722483

Abstract

Within the event management literature relating to network development and festival sustainability there is a paucity of research that analyzes the perception of festival sustainability by festival leaders. After an initial review of the context of sustainability, network theory, and an identification of the changing set of competencies for effective leadership, an exploratory and explanatory investigation is made to elicit and identify the critical factors that key informant festival leaders associate with sustainable festivals. The main purpose of this study is to attain a greater depth of understanding of festival leaders' attitudes towards the dynamics of creating and directing sustainable festivals. In-depth interviews with five elite festival leaders helped to generate the elements of a repertory grid from which a "triading" method was used to elicit constructs. Of the constructs identified, the most significant relate to four areas: the event subject focus; the leadership; the funding; and the organizational culture. The research also revealed that festival leaders conceive sustainability not as an environmental concern, but as a matter of festival survival. Suggestions are then drawn as to the future role of the repertory grid method in identifying and managing stakeholder visions, and future lines of research investigation and application.

Highlights

This article discusses the importance of leaders in determining festival success
In reviewing related literature this article reports that current network theory, as applied to the wider event management research environment, does acknowledge festival leaders as significant stakeholders, but, on the other hand, does not give attention to an understanding of their view point
Identified as a gap in current festival and events research, an exploratory and explanatory investigation is made to elicit and identify the key factors that key informant festival leaders relate to sustainability

Summary

Introduction

This article discusses the importance of leaders in determining festival success. In reviewing related literature this article reports that current network theory, as applied to the wider event management research environment, does acknowledge festival leaders as significant stakeholders, but, on the other hand, does not give attention to an understanding of their view point. Identified as a gap in current festival and events research, an exploratory and explanatory investigation is made to elicit and identify the key factors that key informant (elite or expert) festival leaders relate to sustainability. Personal construct theory (Kelly, 1955) is adopted as an appropriate methodological framework for this exploratory investigation This framework stems from social representation theory (Moscovici, 1981), and the premise that the beliefs and perceptions of people affect the hierarchies and operations around them, and that an understanding of these beliefs and perceptions can aid communication and action. The graphic and statistical nature of the results, it is argued here, give the methodology particular resonance and versatility for further research as well as a more immediate capacity to direct communication and action more effectively in the social environment

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