Abstracts of Published Refereed Journal Articles
Shonk, D.J., Bosley, A.T., & DeMichele, P.E. (In Review). Factors motivating college students to attand an intercollegiate sporting event: Attracting studetns who attend non BCS schools. Submitted to the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics.
The purpose of this study is to examine what motivates students attending non BCS institutions to attend a football game. Eight motives are examined in the study, including achievement, aesthetics, drama, escape, knowledge, physical skills, social and family. A sample of all 12,602 unique students who attended football games at a large comprehensive master’s university in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States was employed. Using a principal components extraction, the analysis
produced a four factor solution comprised of vicarious/social, drama, external circumstance and knowledge/value. The findings from the study have important implications for collegiate sport marketers to assist in motivating and attracting students to attend home football games.
Bravo, G., Won, D., & Shonk, D.J. (2012) Entry-level employment in intercollegiate athletic departments: Non-readily observables and readily observalbe attributes of job candidates. Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision, 4(1), 63-78.
Human resource management scholars and practitioners have recognized the importance of understanding the complexities of staffing personnel. This study focused on the perceived importance of attributes for entry-level applicants to collegiate athletic departments. A total of 315 NCAA athletic administrators who were randomly selected responded to a web-based survey. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 10 easily observable attributes during the screening process, and 10 non-readily observable skills during the hiring process. Results indicated that career-related work experience was considered to be most important during the screening, followed by the applicant’s recommendation, and leadership experience. While in the hiring stage, work ethic, communications skills and motivation were considered the most important attributes. This study adds to the literature in human resource management and athletic administration and has practical implications for prospective employees, athletic administrators and sport management faculty members.
Shonk, D.J., Greenwell, T.C., Bravo, G., & Won, D. (2012). Site Selection, Satisfaction, and Intent to Return: An Exploratory Study of the Perceptions of Rights Holders of Small-Scale Sporting Events. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 13(1), 1-15.
The study examined sporting event rights holders’ perceptions of factors related to their last event and identified factors germane to intentions to return. Results showed that event facility (M = 6.24, SD = .62), accommodations (M = 6.08, SD = .51), security (M = 6.04, SD = .82), supportiveness (M = 5.82, SD = .95), and travel/access (M = 5.50, SD = .91) were important site characteristics for rights holders. Discriminant analysis suggested returners rated higher than doubters on security (M = 6.31), facility (M = 6.36), accommodations (M = 6.18), and supportiveness (M = 5.77). This study was exploratory and has implications for destination marketers.
Shonk, D.J. & Bravo, G. (2010). Interorganizational Support and Commitment: A Framework for Sporting Event Networks. Journal of Sport Management, 24(3), 272-290.
Sporting event networks are complex partnerships providing scope for investigation at multiple levels of analysis, including interpersonal, interorganizational, and field
level. Based on an integration of the literature on interorganizational relationships, perceived organizational support, and interorganizational commitment, the paper
proposes a conceptual model applicable to sporting event networks wherein perceived interorganizational support (PIOS) influences perceived interorganizational
commitment (PIOC). The level of PIOS is indicated by six salient factors: trust, resources, structure, prior ties, reputation, and legitimacy.
Shonk, D.J., Wallace Carr, J., & De Michele, P.E. (2010). Service quality and satisfaction within campus recreation. The moderating role of identification. Recreational Sports Journal, 34(1), 9-23.
The current study integrated the services marketing and social identity literature to examine the moderating effect of Identification on the relationship between service
quality factors (i.e., Program Quality, Interaction Quality, Outcome Quality, Physical Environment Quality) and Satisfaction. The study was administered using a modified version of Ko and Pastore’s (2007) Scale of Service Quality in Recreational Sports (SSQRS) and Wann and Branscombe’s (1990) team identification questionnaire. Data were collected from more than 4,000 campus faculty and undergraduate student recreational users attending a university within the Middle Atlantic region of the United States. Results of the regression analysis demonstrated that Identification had a significant interactive effect when added to Outcome Quality, F(1, 3663) = 105.869, p <.001, such that higher Identification is related to higher Satisfaction. Identification also had a significant interactive effect with Program Quality, F(1, 3850) = 25.281, p< .001, such that higher Identification is related to lower Satisfaction. There was no significant interactive effect between Identification and Interaction Quality, F(1,3692) = 1.464, p = .226; and Physical Environment Quality, F(1, 3721) = 1.977, p =.160. The findings have important implications for campus recreation professionals.
Shonk, D.J. & Chelladurai, P. (2009). Model of Service Quality in Event Sport Tourism: Development of a Scale. International Journal of Sport Management & Marketing, 6(3), 292-307.
The primary purposes of this study were to develop a scale and test a model of service quality in sport tourism. The model was tested using data collected from spectators travelling to a major league All-Star sporting event in the USA. The data from the 215 usable cases were analysed using structural equation modelling. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the CFA measurement model and structural model were an acceptable fit. The findings from this study point to support for a multi-dimensional model of service quality in sport tourism. The most important dimension was found to be the quality of the contest itself. The results suggested that there is an overall perception of sport tourism quality (ST Quality) which significantly contributes to a tourist’s perceptions of satisfaction. Moreover, Satisfaction was found to significantly contribute to a tourist’s decision to return to a sporting event and/or to a particular destination.
Shonk, D.J. & Chelladurai, P. (2008). Service quality, satisfaction and intent to return in Event Sport Tourism. Journal of Sport Management, 22(5), 587-602.
The article proposes a conceptual model of quality in event sport tourism wherein perceived quality of sport tourism (Sport Tourism Quality) is said to influence
tourist satisfaction which, in turn, influences the tourist’s intention to return to the place of the event and/or the event itself. Sport Tourism Quality is indicated by
four primary dimensions each of which is defined by two or more subdimensions. The primary dimensions are (a) access quality (composed of access to destination,
sport venue, hotel), (b) accommodation quality (including the environment, interactions, and value), (c) venue quality (comprised of environment, interactions,
and value), and (d) contest quality (indicated by process of the contest and the product of the contest). The proposed multidimensional model of sport
tourism quality would facilitate research into the dynamics of sport tourism and offer guidelines for practitioners as they constantly strive to provide the very best
experience for sport tourists.
Won, D., Bang, H., & Shonk, D.J. (2008). Relative Importance of Factors Involved in Choosing a Regional Ski Destination: Influence of Consumption Situation and Recreation Specialization. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 13(4), 249-271.
The current study explores the relative importance of selected factors (snow condition, variety of trails, travel time, cost, and amenities) that would influence a user’s choice of a regional ski destination. The study looks at the influences of usage/consumption situation (excursion versus tourist travel) and the users’ level of recreation
specialization in skiing or snowboarding activities (non-skier, casual, and advanced) on the prioritized choice factors. A sample of college students (N ¼ 248) at a large
university in a region where winter sports are popular were recruited and asked to consider two consumption situations. Respondents’ preferences of hypothetical regional ski destinations were assessed using conjoint analyses. The results indicated that the relative importance of all factors, with the exception of ‘snow condition’, largely depended on both recreation specialization and consumption situation. This study encourages ski operators to consider the analysis of the consumption situation and recreation specialization in their marketing strategies.
The purpose of this study is to examine what motivates students attending non BCS institutions to attend a football game. Eight motives are examined in the study, including achievement, aesthetics, drama, escape, knowledge, physical skills, social and family. A sample of all 12,602 unique students who attended football games at a large comprehensive master’s university in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States was employed. Using a principal components extraction, the analysis
produced a four factor solution comprised of vicarious/social, drama, external circumstance and knowledge/value. The findings from the study have important implications for collegiate sport marketers to assist in motivating and attracting students to attend home football games.
Bravo, G., Won, D., & Shonk, D.J. (2012) Entry-level employment in intercollegiate athletic departments: Non-readily observables and readily observalbe attributes of job candidates. Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision, 4(1), 63-78.
Human resource management scholars and practitioners have recognized the importance of understanding the complexities of staffing personnel. This study focused on the perceived importance of attributes for entry-level applicants to collegiate athletic departments. A total of 315 NCAA athletic administrators who were randomly selected responded to a web-based survey. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 10 easily observable attributes during the screening process, and 10 non-readily observable skills during the hiring process. Results indicated that career-related work experience was considered to be most important during the screening, followed by the applicant’s recommendation, and leadership experience. While in the hiring stage, work ethic, communications skills and motivation were considered the most important attributes. This study adds to the literature in human resource management and athletic administration and has practical implications for prospective employees, athletic administrators and sport management faculty members.
Shonk, D.J., Greenwell, T.C., Bravo, G., & Won, D. (2012). Site Selection, Satisfaction, and Intent to Return: An Exploratory Study of the Perceptions of Rights Holders of Small-Scale Sporting Events. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 13(1), 1-15.
The study examined sporting event rights holders’ perceptions of factors related to their last event and identified factors germane to intentions to return. Results showed that event facility (M = 6.24, SD = .62), accommodations (M = 6.08, SD = .51), security (M = 6.04, SD = .82), supportiveness (M = 5.82, SD = .95), and travel/access (M = 5.50, SD = .91) were important site characteristics for rights holders. Discriminant analysis suggested returners rated higher than doubters on security (M = 6.31), facility (M = 6.36), accommodations (M = 6.18), and supportiveness (M = 5.77). This study was exploratory and has implications for destination marketers.
Shonk, D.J. & Bravo, G. (2010). Interorganizational Support and Commitment: A Framework for Sporting Event Networks. Journal of Sport Management, 24(3), 272-290.
Sporting event networks are complex partnerships providing scope for investigation at multiple levels of analysis, including interpersonal, interorganizational, and field
level. Based on an integration of the literature on interorganizational relationships, perceived organizational support, and interorganizational commitment, the paper
proposes a conceptual model applicable to sporting event networks wherein perceived interorganizational support (PIOS) influences perceived interorganizational
commitment (PIOC). The level of PIOS is indicated by six salient factors: trust, resources, structure, prior ties, reputation, and legitimacy.
Shonk, D.J., Wallace Carr, J., & De Michele, P.E. (2010). Service quality and satisfaction within campus recreation. The moderating role of identification. Recreational Sports Journal, 34(1), 9-23.
The current study integrated the services marketing and social identity literature to examine the moderating effect of Identification on the relationship between service
quality factors (i.e., Program Quality, Interaction Quality, Outcome Quality, Physical Environment Quality) and Satisfaction. The study was administered using a modified version of Ko and Pastore’s (2007) Scale of Service Quality in Recreational Sports (SSQRS) and Wann and Branscombe’s (1990) team identification questionnaire. Data were collected from more than 4,000 campus faculty and undergraduate student recreational users attending a university within the Middle Atlantic region of the United States. Results of the regression analysis demonstrated that Identification had a significant interactive effect when added to Outcome Quality, F(1, 3663) = 105.869, p <.001, such that higher Identification is related to higher Satisfaction. Identification also had a significant interactive effect with Program Quality, F(1, 3850) = 25.281, p< .001, such that higher Identification is related to lower Satisfaction. There was no significant interactive effect between Identification and Interaction Quality, F(1,3692) = 1.464, p = .226; and Physical Environment Quality, F(1, 3721) = 1.977, p =.160. The findings have important implications for campus recreation professionals.
Shonk, D.J. & Chelladurai, P. (2009). Model of Service Quality in Event Sport Tourism: Development of a Scale. International Journal of Sport Management & Marketing, 6(3), 292-307.
The primary purposes of this study were to develop a scale and test a model of service quality in sport tourism. The model was tested using data collected from spectators travelling to a major league All-Star sporting event in the USA. The data from the 215 usable cases were analysed using structural equation modelling. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the CFA measurement model and structural model were an acceptable fit. The findings from this study point to support for a multi-dimensional model of service quality in sport tourism. The most important dimension was found to be the quality of the contest itself. The results suggested that there is an overall perception of sport tourism quality (ST Quality) which significantly contributes to a tourist’s perceptions of satisfaction. Moreover, Satisfaction was found to significantly contribute to a tourist’s decision to return to a sporting event and/or to a particular destination.
Shonk, D.J. & Chelladurai, P. (2008). Service quality, satisfaction and intent to return in Event Sport Tourism. Journal of Sport Management, 22(5), 587-602.
The article proposes a conceptual model of quality in event sport tourism wherein perceived quality of sport tourism (Sport Tourism Quality) is said to influence
tourist satisfaction which, in turn, influences the tourist’s intention to return to the place of the event and/or the event itself. Sport Tourism Quality is indicated by
four primary dimensions each of which is defined by two or more subdimensions. The primary dimensions are (a) access quality (composed of access to destination,
sport venue, hotel), (b) accommodation quality (including the environment, interactions, and value), (c) venue quality (comprised of environment, interactions,
and value), and (d) contest quality (indicated by process of the contest and the product of the contest). The proposed multidimensional model of sport
tourism quality would facilitate research into the dynamics of sport tourism and offer guidelines for practitioners as they constantly strive to provide the very best
experience for sport tourists.
Won, D., Bang, H., & Shonk, D.J. (2008). Relative Importance of Factors Involved in Choosing a Regional Ski Destination: Influence of Consumption Situation and Recreation Specialization. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 13(4), 249-271.
The current study explores the relative importance of selected factors (snow condition, variety of trails, travel time, cost, and amenities) that would influence a user’s choice of a regional ski destination. The study looks at the influences of usage/consumption situation (excursion versus tourist travel) and the users’ level of recreation
specialization in skiing or snowboarding activities (non-skier, casual, and advanced) on the prioritized choice factors. A sample of college students (N ¼ 248) at a large
university in a region where winter sports are popular were recruited and asked to consider two consumption situations. Respondents’ preferences of hypothetical regional ski destinations were assessed using conjoint analyses. The results indicated that the relative importance of all factors, with the exception of ‘snow condition’, largely depended on both recreation specialization and consumption situation. This study encourages ski operators to consider the analysis of the consumption situation and recreation specialization in their marketing strategies.