Residents’ perceived social impacts and attitudinal change: a case of the skateboarding event in Japan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Organising sporting events is no longer just a matter of interest to event operators. In Japan, various local governments actively attract non-mega-sporting events as part of their urban development policies. However, these policy formulations must be evidence-based, especially in understanding the impact of sporting events and residents’ relationship to sporting events. Most social impact studies in sport management research have predominantly used the cross-sectional approach; hence, it is necessary to conduct a longitudinal research design to understand variations in residents’ long-term perceptions. Adapting prospect theory as the theoretical background, this study aims to investigate the change difference in social impacts and residents’ attitudes using a longitudinal panel data approach. The authors revealed that residents’ perceptions towards social impact would change before and after the event. Additionally, multiple factors were associated with differences in the dependent variables. This study provided a detailed understanding of residents’ changing perceptions and attitudes towards the event, which will also demonstrate to residents the scientific rationale for hosting the event. In the midst of the need for sustainable sporting event management, a more detailed analysis of the impact-driven on the community from hosting the event will affect changes in trust towards the government and acceptance of local policies is a perspective that is required for future research on social impact.