Title: Social capital within sport participation systems: a multi-national inquiry

Authors: Chung-Hsiang Wang; Luo Li; Joyce Olushola; Kyu-soo Chung; Toshiyuki Ogura; Bob Heere

Addresses: Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station-D3700, Austin, TX 78712-0360, USA ' Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station-D3700, Austin, TX 78712-0360, USA ' Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station-D3700, Austin, TX 78712-0360, USA ' Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station-D3700, Austin, TX 78712-0360, USA ' Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station-D3700, Austin, TX 78712-0360, USA ' Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station-D3700, Austin, TX 78712-0360, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate to what extent people perceive their sport participation structure to provide them with a sense of community. Second, we examined the presence of social capital within these different sport participation structures around the world. Data were collected via asynchronous online focus groups and results revealed that social capital manifests itself differently in each nation. In all three nations it became apparent that sport participation is more conducive to bonding, rather than bridging. Nevertheless, in the Netherlands and Korea, respondents noted this bonding process was accompanied by dependency and emotional support, while in the USA respondents emphasised instrumental support.

Keywords: sport participation; community; social capital; online focus groups; bonding; bridging; Netherlands; Korea; dependency; emotional support; USA; United States; instrumental support; sports.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2012.052676

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2012 Vol.12 No.3/4, pp.241 - 259

Received: 04 Nov 2011
Accepted: 13 Nov 2012

Published online: 31 Jul 2014 *

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