Abstract
In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of cities seeking to host the Olympic Games, with several cities withdrawing from the bid process following referenda. The debate around bidding have hinged on the costs and benefits of hosting events, with little consideration as to the benefits of a bid itself. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ways in which Olympic bids be leveraged for positive outcomes, regardless of the outcomes of the bid.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employs a content analysis, examining the 16 bid responses to the question in the International Olympic Committee Candidate questionnaire: “What will be the benefits of bidding for the Olympic Games for your city/region, irrespective of the outcome of the bid?”.
Findings
This research found that bid cities do attempt to use the Olympic bid process as a leveraging resource, with four unique opportunities arising from this; national and city pride, Olympism, the formation of networks, and global focus. These provide the opportunities for Olympic bid cities to achieve the following strategic objectives: nation and community building, sport participation, business opportunities, enhancing image and profile, and to push through infrastructural projects.
Originality/value
There has been little consideration as to the ways an Olympic bid can be used to leverage positive outcomes for a city or a nation, and therefore this research contributes to the literature on leveraging mega-events. The research also has practical value, in providing potential bidders with information regarding positive outcomes whether the bid is successful or not.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 138-151 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Marketing Intelligence & Planning |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Dec 2017 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Leverage
- Content analysis
- Event leveraging
- Olympic bid
Cite this
Planning to Fail? Leveraging the Olympic Bid. / Bason, Tom; Grix, Jonathan.
In: Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 36, No. 1, 15.12.2017, p. 138-151.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Planning to Fail?
T2 - Leveraging the Olympic Bid
AU - Bason, Tom
AU - Grix, Jonathan
PY - 2017/12/15
Y1 - 2017/12/15
N2 - PurposeIn recent years, there has been a decline in the number of cities seeking to host the Olympic Games, with several cities withdrawing from the bid process following referenda. The debate around bidding have hinged on the costs and benefits of hosting events, with little consideration as to the benefits of a bid itself. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ways in which Olympic bids be leveraged for positive outcomes, regardless of the outcomes of the bid.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs a content analysis, examining the 16 bid responses to the question in the International Olympic Committee Candidate questionnaire: “What will be the benefits of bidding for the Olympic Games for your city/region, irrespective of the outcome of the bid?”.FindingsThis research found that bid cities do attempt to use the Olympic bid process as a leveraging resource, with four unique opportunities arising from this; national and city pride, Olympism, the formation of networks, and global focus. These provide the opportunities for Olympic bid cities to achieve the following strategic objectives: nation and community building, sport participation, business opportunities, enhancing image and profile, and to push through infrastructural projects.Originality/valueThere has been little consideration as to the ways an Olympic bid can be used to leverage positive outcomes for a city or a nation, and therefore this research contributes to the literature on leveraging mega-events. The research also has practical value, in providing potential bidders with information regarding positive outcomes whether the bid is successful or not.
AB - PurposeIn recent years, there has been a decline in the number of cities seeking to host the Olympic Games, with several cities withdrawing from the bid process following referenda. The debate around bidding have hinged on the costs and benefits of hosting events, with little consideration as to the benefits of a bid itself. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ways in which Olympic bids be leveraged for positive outcomes, regardless of the outcomes of the bid.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs a content analysis, examining the 16 bid responses to the question in the International Olympic Committee Candidate questionnaire: “What will be the benefits of bidding for the Olympic Games for your city/region, irrespective of the outcome of the bid?”.FindingsThis research found that bid cities do attempt to use the Olympic bid process as a leveraging resource, with four unique opportunities arising from this; national and city pride, Olympism, the formation of networks, and global focus. These provide the opportunities for Olympic bid cities to achieve the following strategic objectives: nation and community building, sport participation, business opportunities, enhancing image and profile, and to push through infrastructural projects.Originality/valueThere has been little consideration as to the ways an Olympic bid can be used to leverage positive outcomes for a city or a nation, and therefore this research contributes to the literature on leveraging mega-events. The research also has practical value, in providing potential bidders with information regarding positive outcomes whether the bid is successful or not.
KW - Leverage
KW - Content analysis
KW - Event leveraging
KW - Olympic bid
U2 - 10.1108/MIP-06-2017-0106
DO - 10.1108/MIP-06-2017-0106
M3 - Article
VL - 36
SP - 138
EP - 151
JO - Marketing Intelligence and Planning
JF - Marketing Intelligence and Planning
SN - 0263-4503
IS - 1
ER -