Title: A scale for measuring member commitment and integration in fitness services

Authors: Dimitri Koutsoubakis

Addresses: Hult International Business School, P.O. Box 502988, Dubai Campus, Dubai Internet City, UAE

Abstract: This study assesses the reliability and validity of an instrument adapted from the domain of student attrition in higher-education research, for implementation in the field of fitness services management. The study was conducted at a commercial fitness facility based in Dubai, UAE, and comprised 184 subjects. A questionnaire was created by adapting a model with extensive research support in the field of student attrition studies; modifications were based on Delphi technique and subject interviews. Items were measured on a 5-point Likert scale, and the data set was subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Four factors emerged: goal commitment; institutional commitment; social integration; institutional integration. CFA fit indices indicated good model fit, and all factors had strong Cronbach alpha coefficients. The instrument displayed robust psychometric properties/factor-loading invariance, and can be used to measure commitment and integration constructs in commercial fitness-club settings.

Keywords: exploratory factor analysis; EFA; confirmatory factor analysis; CFA; retention; commitment; integration; quantitative methodology; AMOS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2020.115119

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2020 Vol.20 No.5/6, pp.356 - 371

Received: 02 May 2020
Accepted: 29 Nov 2020

Published online: 18 May 2021 *

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