Globalisation and advances in communications technology have greatly expanded the potential marketplace for professional teams, especially for internationally popular sports. Lewis (2001) claimed that fans are now more likely to support a team based less on a shared geographic connection than on personal reasons. As Ben-Porat (2000) claimed, for these fans a foreign-based team is like “an 'overseas sweetheart,' far away but close to the heart” (p. 344). These 'satellite supporters,' (Kerr 2008, in press), or 'satellite fans' (Kerr & Gladden 2008) represent significant revenue, especially for those team brands that seek international expansion. In addition, an individual's decision to purchase the sports product is largely dependent upon their level of identification with a chosen team. Team identification, or “the extent to which a fan feels psychologically connected” (Wann, Melnick, Russell & Pease 2001, p. 3) to a particular team, is critical to the financial viability of a sports organisation. However, despite the increased attention paid to team identification, the reasons why satellite supporters identify with a foreign-based team have been largely unexplored. To address this need this study asks: What are the most important antecedents in the identification of satellite supporters with their chosen sports team? Recent research also suggests that a relationship exists between team identification and brand equity (Carlson, Quazi & Muthaly 2002; Kerr 2008; Underwood, Bond & Baer 2001). Therefore, the study also asks: Can a conceptual brand equity framework predict the determinants of team identification of satellite supporters? The thesis adopts a case study approach using mixed methods; a strategy that can provide “a fuller understanding of the sports fan” (Jones 1997b). Online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were administered to members of fan organisations dedicated to the English Premier League's Liverpool F.C. Liverpool F.C. was an appropriate subject for the case study as it has a global fan base, a rich history, and is arguably one of the world's premier team brands. This thesis proposes a number of important antecedents in the satellite supporter's identification with a foreign-based team. These are: media coverage; style of play; the presence of particular player(s); team success; history of success; participation in the highest division; stadium; history of ethical behaviour; and the broadcast quality of games. Furthermore, a conceptual brand equity framework is shown to shed light on the possible determinants of their team identification. This study also confirms that social identity theory is an appropriate perspective to examine foreign fandom; satellite supporters might derive positive psychological benefits from their fandom; and the existence of a brand community dedicated to a professional sports organisation.

Med utgångspunkt i begreppet ”Art Worlds” diskuterar den här uppsatsen fanart och deltagandekultur som fenomen, och ser hur denna konstinriktning går att foga samman med andra konstvärldar. / Based on the theory of ”Art Worlds”, this thesis presents a discussion on the concepts of fanart and participatory culture, and seeks a way in which to merge the world of the fans with other art worlds.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka och analysera hur relationer ser ut mellan musikbolag och fans och hur de olika parterna upplever dem. För att uppfylla detta syfte har vi formulerat två forskningsfrågor: Vad kan fans uppfatta som värdeskapande i en relation med musikbolagen och vilka effekter kan detta få på relationen? Vad karaktäriserar musikbolagens arbete för att skapa och utveckla relationen mellan artist och fans? Uppsatsen är ett resultat av en kvalitativ metod med en induktiv ansats. Vi har genomfört semi-strukturerade intervjuer via telefon, Skype samt chattmeddelanden för att få en djup empiri från relevanta personer inom musikbranschen samt fans. Uppsatsens resultat visar att musikbolagens arbete med att skapa och utveckla relationer till stor del bygger på att identifiera vilka sociala plattformar som olika målgrupper befinner sig på. Utifrån detta skapas strategier för att kommunicera med fans och därmed kan relationer med dessa skapas och utvecklas och värdeskapande processer kan erbjudas till fansen. Vad fans uppfattar som värdeskapande är bland annat erbjudanden om tävlingar och förmåner så som förköp av konsertbiljetter. Fansen vill även känna sig uppskattade, sedda och behövda av musikbolagen. Om dessa värdeerbjudanden skulle upphöra att existera kan relationen med musikbolagen påverkas negativt, vissa fans menar även att uppror gentemot artisten kan uppstå. / The purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyze the characteristics of relationships between music companies and fans and how these parties experience the relationships. To fulfill the purpose we have based the paper on the following questions: What does fans appreciate as value creation in the relationship with music companies and what effects does this have on the relationship? What characterize the work of the music companies regarding the creation and the development of relationships between artists and fans? The paper is a result of a qualitative method with an inductive approach. We have conducted semi-structured interviews over the phone, Skype and chat messages to get a deep empirical data from relevant people in the music industry and from fans. The result of the paper shows that the work of the music companies regarding the creation and development of relationships emphasizes an identification of the social platforms where different target groups are active. Based on this the companies can create different strategies to communicate with the fans and the relationships can thus be created and developed, and the music companies can offer the fans different value propositions. We have also identified what the fans perceive as value creating and this is for example different competitions and benefits like presale of concert tickets. The fans also want to feel appreciated, seen and needed by the music companies. If these value propositions would cease to exist, the relationship between the music companies and the fans may be negatively affected; some fans even proclaim that a revolt against the artists may occur.

This thesis explores the team identification of fans of a new sport team, using social identity theory. As there is limited research on fans of new sport teams, this study sought to redress this situation by seeking to explain and measure new team identification. Through investigating new team identification, this study extends current applications of social identity theory and understanding of fans of a new sport team. Additionally, by measuring new team identification, this thesis contributes a valid and reliable measure of the construct, and discovery of key themes driving the formation and development of new team identification. A mixed-method research design was used to investigate the central thesis topic. A case study of members of a new sport team, Sydney FC, provided the sample population. The research design included two surveys, administered at the end of the new team’s first and second seasons, respectively, in addition to twenty-one interviews undertaken to deepen understanding of new team identification. The Sports Spectator Identity Scale (SSIS) was used to measure new team identification and test for differences in identity strength based on participant characteristics. Results indicated that three defining behaviours provided the basis for the formation of new team identification. These were termed: Football first, Origin and Occasion. Measurement of new team identification using the SSIS validated the model in a new team context; however, the value of victory and the identification of rival groupings did not relate strongly to the construct. Member identity strength was significantly influenced by age, salary, membership category and games attended. Five behaviours underpinned the development of new team identification; these were termed: Searching, Expression, Eagerness, Names and Faces, and Spruiking. Social identity theory provided a useful framework to explore the formation and extent of new team identification. The formation of new team identification was strongly influenced by support of football, in this case. The implementation of the SSIS to measure new team identification extended its previous applications. Participant characteristics exerted a clear influence on the strength of new team identification. Members engaged in additional teamrelated behaviours as their new team identification increased and they developed multi-faceted and socially important bonds. Stemming from the key thesis findings, the conceptual outcomes provided a significant contribution to current literature exploring members of new sport teams. Furthermore, the nuanced differences between identification with new and established teams provide a distinct agenda for future research into new sport teams.

Globalisation and advances in communications technology have greatly expanded the potential marketplace for professional teams, especially for internationally popular sports. Lewis (2001) claimed that fans are now more likely to support a team based less on a shared geographic connection than on personal reasons. As Ben-Porat (2000) claimed, for these fans a foreign-based team is like “an 'overseas sweetheart,' far away but close to the heart” (p. 344). These 'satellite supporters,' (Kerr 2008, in press), or 'satellite fans' (Kerr & Gladden 2008) represent significant revenue, especially for those team brands that seek international expansion. In addition, an individual's decision to purchase the sports product is largely dependent upon their level of identification with a chosen team. Team identification, or “the extent to which a fan feels psychologically connected” (Wann, Melnick, Russell & Pease 2001, p. 3) to a particular team, is critical to the financial viability of a sports organisation. However, despite the increased attention paid to team identification, the reasons why satellite supporters identify with a foreign-based team have been largely unexplored. To address this need this study asks: What are the most important antecedents in the identification of satellite supporters with their chosen sports team? Recent research also suggests that a relationship exists between team identification and brand equity (Carlson, Quazi & Muthaly 2002; Kerr 2008; Underwood, Bond & Baer 2001). Therefore, the study also asks: Can a conceptual brand equity framework predict the determinants of team identification of satellite supporters? The thesis adopts a case study approach using mixed methods; a strategy that can provide “a fuller understanding of the sports fan” (Jones 1997b). Online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were administered to members of fan organisations dedicated to the English Premier League's Liverpool F.C. Liverpool F.C. was an appropriate subject for the case study as it has a global fan base, a rich history, and is arguably one of the world's premier team brands. This thesis proposes a number of important antecedents in the satellite supporter's identification with a foreign-based team. These are: media coverage; style of play; the presence of particular player(s); team success; history of success; participation in the highest division; stadium; history of ethical behaviour; and the broadcast quality of games. Furthermore, a conceptual brand equity framework is shown to shed light on the possible determinants of their team identification. This study also confirms that social identity theory is an appropriate perspective to examine foreign fandom; satellite supporters might derive positive psychological benefits from their fandom; and the existence of a brand community dedicated to a professional sports organisation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-06, Section: A, page: 2344. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 283-294).

Thesis (M.Eng.(Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Summaries in Afrikaans and English. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-109).

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 140-145). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-109).

Este trabalho tem como eixo principal a avaliação experimental de texturas para superfícies de pás com intuito de aumentar a eficiência de ventoinhas de pequeno porte em relação às ventoinhas padrão (com pás lisas), através das variáveis também investigar de forma qualitativa o potencial de diferentes topologias no efeito estético. A ênfase está na modelagem de texturas para a superfície das pás de cada ventoinha, que foram trabalhadas a fim de diminuir a quantidade de escoamento de ar necessária para o funcionamento da mesma. Para os testes feitos, foi escolhida como base a ventoinha de um Cooler, utilizada geralmente para arrefecimento do processador de computadores, que devido à pequena escala proporciona facilidade de manuseio. A análise aconteceu através dos resultados que cada superfície projetada apresentou no túnel aerodinâmico, assim permitindo avaliar a eficiência em relação à superfície lisa. Os parâmetros como a velocidade do escoamento de ar, velocidade do corpo de prova e as relações entre essas velocidades foram definidas por um método específico para este trabalho. Espera-se como resultado que o uso das texturas com a distribuição de massa adequada consiga reduzira necessidade de escoamento de ar para o funcionamento do produto, tornando o processo de rotação mais eficiente e estético. / This work has as main shaft creating textures for surfaces of blades in order to increase the efficiency of small fans over its variables. The emphasis is on modeling the surface texture of the blades of each fan to be worked in order to reduce the need to wind to start the start of movement thereof. For testing efficiency it was chosen as the basis of a cooler fan, commonly used for cooling computers, which due to the small scale provides an ease of handling. The analysis of the results that happen through each projected surface present in the wind tunnel, thus allowing to evaluate the efficiency of using these fans in different scales and in different types of blades. The parameters such as wind speed, speed of the specimen, the relationship between these speeds and loads applied to the structure of the fan were used to set a specific method for this work. It is expected a result of the use of textures to achieve proper mass distribution annular wasting energy, making the process more efficient and aesthetic rotation.