Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2006. / Advisor: Jeffrey James, Florida State University, College of Education. Dept. of Sport Management, Recreation Management, and Physical Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 7, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 169 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

This research focuses on the function of sport fan identity in seeking optimal psychological distinctiveness. The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanisms through which sport fans balance the psychological needs for distinctiveness and assimilation through the expression of their team identity, thereby contributing to a stronger explanation of how these psychological needs function within the attachment process towards stronger fan loyalty. Although a growing body of knowledge has addressed the internalisation of a sport object into the self-concept, existing theoretical frameworks provide limited explanation of the mechanisms through which these needs are met. Literature on team identity and psychological distinctiveness was reviewed in order to derive a set of research questions to investigate the use of the structural reality mechanism and perceptual framing mechanism at an individual and group level for sport fans at different levels of psychological connection to their chosen team. A two-phase mixed method research design allowed a purposeful stage-based investigation of psychological distinctiveness. The findings provide evidence of the use of both the structural reality mechanism and the perceptual framing mechanism as fans use their team identity to balance their needs for belonging and distinctiveness. The results of the study found that the mechanisms were involved at both higher stages of iii psychological connection to their chosen team, as well as at both individual level and group level. The study contributes the optimal distinctiveness mechanisms of structural reality and perceptual framing to the revised Psychological Continuum Model theoretical framework, thus examining sport fan identity motives beyond selfesteem. The study also contributes to the limited research undertaken within the sport of rugby and in South Africa, while providing additional mixed method and qualitative analysis guidance for researching sport fandom. The findings of this research are relevant to sport marketers, sponsorship managers, and sport broadcasters who wish to facilitate stronger and more positive relationships between fans, as well as with the sport object. Marketers are able to use the mechanisms and strategies examined in this study to create additional opportunities for attached and allegiant fans to express their distinctiveness within the attachment process towards stronger fan loyalty. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / pagibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / PhD / Unrestricted

This study investigates the relationship between levels of social identity complexity and tolerance. Social identity complexity refers to the nature of the subjective representation of multiple group identities and is postulated to be made up of two underlying sub-constructs, namely overlap complexity and similarity complexity. Tolerance is assumed to be constructed of dimensions including ethnic/religious tolerance, sexual tolerance, social deviance, cultural pluralism and affirmative action principles. In addition, gender and age groups are assumed to be potential moderators of the underlying relationships between the various construct measures. The study used Blue Bulls supporters as the sample to be investigated. A quantitative study of 102 Blue Bulls supporters was conducted using a combination of an online survey and personal interviews at the Blue Bulls stadium. The data determined the social identity complexity levels of these supporters and their various tolerance levels. The results were then analysed using descriptive statistics and various other statistical analysis to determine differences and relationships between the social identity measures and tolerance constructs. The results showed the average Blue Bulls supporter to own average social identity complexity levels and were more tolerant towards out-groups than previous literature had proposed for sports fans. Age showed certain trends in relation to social identity complexity and tolerance levels. However, age and gender made no significant differences to the measures and constructs. Understanding that a sports supporter is more than just an individual who supports a team on one social identity level but possesses multiple social identities is important to understand for many stakeholders within the sports business. Decisions around marketing campaigns, the management of the fan base online and in the stadium and how to get supporters to be more loyal revolves around this understanding of supporters being a sports fan on one dimension, but either a mother or a lawyer on another. The way that these supporters manage their perceptions of out-group members may influence how a brand manages its advertising campaigns or communicates with its fan base. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

Thesis (M.A.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Carrie Sandahl, Florida State University, School of Theatre. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 16, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 73 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. Brenda Pitts, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Recreation Management, Sport Management, and Physical Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Oct. 7, 2003). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on January 31, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 49 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-49).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of British Columbia, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-90). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)-- Springfield College, 2005. / Bibliography: leaves 109-117.

ATTITUDES, INTERESTS AND SPORT SPECTATOR PROFILING: VARIABLES AFFECTING GAME ATTENDANCE IN A NHL FRANCHISE This study examined the literature on spectator profiling and evaluated current survey methodologies being used to profile hockey spectators and their preferences regarding NHL hockey game attendance. The research had two inter-related objectives. One was to investigate the consumer profiles of sport spectators associated with a specific NHL franchise, the Vancouver Canucks, and to relate these to game attendance. The second objective was to test and evaluate a questionnaire designed to incorporate latest thinking on variables that affect professional sports game attendance. Survey data were collected from 907 attendees at four Vancouver Canucks games and from 203 students at the University of British Columbia during the 2001-2002 NHL season. Two separate studies were conducted using the data. Study 1 investigated reasons for game attendance, and respondents' activity patterns and interests. Data analyses for study 1 included a confirmatory factor analysis for testing the validity of the game attendance items (reasons for game attendance), and a decision tree analysis for classifying spectators based on their reported game attendance frequencies, activity patterns, and interests. Results of study 1 indicate that the respondents' game attendance rates were affected by income, use of hockey websites, playing baseball when young, job, being accompanied by co-workers, ethnic background, perception of T.V. as the best promotional medium, personal fan history, and playing hockey when young. Study 2 investigated the relationship between spectators' opinions about sports and their game attendance, and attempted to identify potential predictors of game attendance levels. A confirmatory factor analysis was used in Study 2 to test the validity of the sport opinion items (opinions about sports), and a cluster analysis was used to identify unique spectator groups. Three distinctive spectator segments were identified, and the three groups varied on a number of dimensions including game attendance rates, sports participation history, and their opinions about the benefits of sports, community pride, cynicism about professional sports, attitude toward professional athletes, perceived time costs, role of government, and attitude toward amateur sports. The research found evidence of national cultural differences between Canadian sports spectators and their American counterparts. It is recommended that future research investigate national and regional cultural differences as well as differences between major and minor league sports and competitive factors in local sports markets. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate