The 2012 UK Olympic Games and Economic Development - Coursework Example

Research Proposal Module Module ID: CHAPTER I: Introduction: The present research aims to evaluate the extent to which the mega sports and recreation events, such as the 2012 UK Olympic Games play a positive role in increasing the levels of economic development and improving living standards of the host city and country as well (The Atlantic, 2012). One of the most essential reasons behind carrying out the research on the above topic includes the universality and significance of organising mega events in different parts of the globe on the one side, and urge of the world states for hosting the same in the wake of growing popularity of the mega events all over the globe on the other (Kubo, 2014). Conducting the mega events turns out to be highly beneficial and productive in many ways for the host country. Not only this that mega sports events serve as a healthy activity in respect of promoting the talents under a competitive environment (Coalter, 2005:5); but also these events also turn out to be beneficial ones for the commercial activities of the area hosting the event (Dolles & Söderman, 2005:22). Moreover, mega sports events also support the projection and popularity of the cultural traits and social norms of the host state all over the world (Dolles & Söderman, 2005). The people belonging to diverse nations, states and communities watch their favourite teams playing on television as well as by personally visiting the place where the event has been arranged (Lumpkin, 2008:34). By taking the example of 2012 Summer Olympics organised in London, it becomes evident that nearly 4 billion spectators watched the grand inaugural ceremony on television, in which over ten thousand athletes from over 200 countries were participating (Kuba, 2014). Furthermore, almost 20 million people were estimated to visit London, which led to the generation of over $14 billion in the wake of conducting the 2012 Summer Olympics (Kuba, 2014). Moreover, it is also estimated that the British economy also witnessed the increase of £9.9bn boost in the areas of trade and investment out of hosting the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games (BBC, 2013). Similarly, the country observed an additional investment of £2.5 billion, nearly three fifth of which was made from the cities other than London. Moreover, the country also observed the additional sales of multiple products, predominantly of sports-related items, worth £5.9 billion through the Foreign Office and UKTI (BBC, 2013). Furthermore, the country also obtained significant boost through the overseas contracts it entered into with the future host countries in respect of providing support to them in the designing of venues and the successful administration of the Olympic Games (BBC, 2013). Consequently, the hosting of the Summer Olympics turned out to be highly advantageous for the economic uplift of the country. Despite the very fact that mega events provide financial support to the host country, hosting and administering of the same is equally profitable for the socio-cultural activities of the country. The foreigner athletes, sportsmen and their fans and supporters visiting the area organising the event return their countries by having pleasant memories of their stay in the host city. They also share the cultural traits of the city they had visited, which appeared to be fascinating and attractive for the wide range of listeners, who also long for visiting that area in the nearer future. Such an unintentional campaign launched by the visitors and athletes not only indirectly popularise the culture of the host country, but also earns profit for its tourism industry subsequently. While including the example of Olympic Games conducted in Athens in 2004, it becomes evident that tourism rate in Greece observed a profound increase after its hosting the international sports event (Ignatis, 2004:28). Aims of the Research: Hosting and conducting of international events not only provides the local population with the recreation and restitution opportunities, but also offer wide-ranged amusement and entertainment to the spectators by infusing the feelings of excitement and thrill in them. The present research aims to explore whether or not the host country finds financial boom and increase in its commercial activities by administering the mega events like Olympic Games and others by selecting 2012 Summer Olympics held in London. Research Objectives: The following objectives have been established for the present research proposal: 1. Whether or not the host country observes increase in its economic activities 2. Whether or not the local population undergoes disturbances in their routine life during the conducting of mega sports event 3. Whether or not local traders and investors obtain the opportunities of earning extra profits out of conducting the international sports event 4. Whether or not hosting of sports event and financial gains having affirmative association with each other Sociological significance: It is a reality beyond suspicion that sports and games have always been an essential part of every society since the known history of the world. It was partly because of the belief that athletics play an important role in boosting the health, vigour and stamina among the athletes (Scully et al, 1998). Consequently, ancient Greek and Roman philosophers always advocated the need of attending gymnasium for the youth for their physical fitness and well-being (Pisk, 2006:67-8). Hence, the Greeks in ancient era looked enthusiastic for playing and arranging sports and games, and had established public gymnasiums for their physical training, exertion and relaxation (Barrow, 2012). It is the Greek who were the founders of Olympic Games, which are still organised and participated with great fervour and enthusiasm in various regions of the world since 776 BC (Crowther, 2007:60). In the same way, evidences prove that the individuals’ active participation in athletics leaves very positive impact on their physical health on the one side, and on the mental growth and in the academic area on the other (Stegman & Stephens, 2003). Additionally, the athletes participating in international events and winning medals and positions tend to earn respect and fame for their country. Similarly, the states having athletes of international repute and fame also host the mega events including ICC World Cup, Soccer World Cup, Olympic Games and others, which adds to the huge economic gains for the host country eventually. CHAPTER II Literature Review: This part of the paper is interested in reviewing the studies that have been conducted in past on the subjects same or similar to the present research topic, which have been elaborated in the following paragraphs: Lin et al. (2008) have conducted their study under the title “Theorising the Role of Sport in State-Politics”, in which the researchers have attempted to seek social control and reduction of deviant behaviour through conducting of sports and games. The researchers maintain that healthy sports competitions held in a society tend to promote unity and harmony within a social establishment. At the moment the people find their national team playing against the rival country, the entire nation looks united under one banner, and enthusiastic as well for the winning of their team. It is predominantly the situation with the multiracial cultures including Canada, UK, USA, Zimbabwe, South Africa and others, teams of which consist of the players and athletes from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds (2008:24). The athletes from diversified backgrounds demonstrate unity and integrity while representing their countries, and put aside their ethno-racial differences to get success by winning trophies and awards for their motherland (Møller et al, 1999). The spectators and supporters also exhibit the similar behaviour while backing their national teams, where the white individuals look raising slogans in support the black players of their national team, and vice versa, and hence look standing united against the rival groups and teams(2008:25). The same is also the case on the eve of the sports being played at school, domestic, regional and national levels, where the fans back their respective teams and hence demonstrate unity at various scales. Despite the very fact that Lin et al (2008) have pointed out towards an important social issue, where he has declared the conducting of sports events as source of unity among the people belonging to the same community, society and nation; somehow, it is not always the case. On the contrary, the individuals have frequently been found in fighting against one another on the issue of games. Similarly, wars between the rival nations also tend to create unity in a nation, though it costs huge losses in men and material. Szymansk (2011) has conducted his research carrying the title “About Winning: The Political Economy of Awarding the World Cup and the Olympic Games”, in which he has concentrated upon the financial achievements and gains the countries obtain after hosting the Olympic Games on their soil. The researcher is of the view that administering of big and international sports events brings huge financial advantages for the host country. As a result, conducting of Olympic Games, FIFA, Hockey and ICC World Cups has become the question of extreme rivalry among the states and nations. The political administrations look entering into negotiations and lobbying in favour of obtaining the chance of hosting the major sports events, which are certain to generate huge returns in the form of financial boom and economic profits for them. Therefore, colossal investments of time and finances are made to win the bidding competition, so that the country could enjoy with the huge profits in the form of economic advantages in the wake of hosting the event (Szymansk, 2011:88). A very large amount of money is allocated at public and private scales in the advertising and marketing campaigns to be launched through print, electronic and social media. Besides, the grounds are prepared and designed, and halls, hotels, restaurants and sports places are renovated and refurbished for the successful conducting of the international event. In addition, huge investments are also made to ensure the protection and security of the participants and spectators. During the conducting of 2013 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, the Russian government looked under pressure with regards to the safety of the athletes and participants. However, extra attention and care observed by the Russian authorities in the security and other arrangements resulted into successful conducting of the games eventually (Wihbey, 2014). Somehow, the huge amounts spent on the expenditures, according to Szymansk (2011:89), challenge the profits obtained from hosting the event, and hence confine the economic gains to limited proportion because of the great expenses the states have to undergo while conducting the mega projects. Lumpkin (2008) has carried out her study under the title “Sports as a reflection of Society”, in which she has discussed the significant influence sports and games leave on the minds of the individuals on the one side, and on their everyday social life on the other. The author is of the opinion that arranging and encouraging of sports festivals in an area or region come out to be beneficial by improving the cultural values and enhancement of commercial activities (2008:34). Besides teaching noble cultural traits and pleasing social norms, sports also tend to explain to the young individuals how to gain unfair advantages or even unethical behaviours in pursuit of glory and success (2008:34-5). Hence, sports also project and promote negativity among the athletes. CHAPTER III Research Methodology: The research methodology simply refers to the methods and techniques to be applied during the research process. In other terms, it is actually the research methodology on the foundations of which the entire research process is to be executed. It includes the selection of population, devising methods of sampling, choosing research tool for the gathering of data (Malhotra & Birks, 2007). Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: Theorists define two main research methods adopted by the researchers, which are quantitative and qualitative researches (Bailey 2003:16).In the former one, number of respondents is far larger than the latter, and hence statistical tests are applied to get the results because of the large sample size. On the other hand, qualitative research method looks for investigating into the nature of research problem for providing a critical but deep insight into the topic selected for carrying out the research. Therefore, in qualitative method, the researcher conducts research on smaller number of people, though analyses in this case are more detailed and in-depth in nature and scope (Bryman, 2012:367). In the same way, qualitative research is concerned with finding the answers to the questions starting with why, how, in what way; on the other hand, quantitative research focuses on the questions about: how much, how many, how often, to what extent etc. (Degu & Yigzaw, 2006:3). The researcher in the present study has selected quantitative research, in which one hundred and eighty respondents are proposed to be selected for carrying out the research. It shows that the answers in quantitative study aim at quantitative representation of the data. For instance, the quantitative research demonstrates that some specific percentage or proportion of the population consumes the product of a particular beverage company. On the other hand, in qualitative research, specific characteristics of the product are explored with the aim of unveiling the reason behind consuming of the product, and preferring it to the one manufactured by the competitive companies and brands. Primary and Secondary Researches: Primary research simply stands for the fresh study being carried out while seeking answer to a social problem or phenomenon; it also includes articulating a new theory, or proving or disapproving the validity of an already existing theory. Hence, questionnaire, interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, observations and participant observations are involved into a primary research, where new area or population is selected by developing research objectives or hypothesis for carrying out the research (Bailey, 2007: 387). Hence, fresh research findings appear in the wake of conducting fresh research and collecting of fresh data related to the research topic. On the other hand, secondary research refers to making reviews of the studies that had been conducted by some other researchers in past. These past studies have been published for the general public, and can be consulted for references and reviews. The researcher has planned through this research proposal to carry out both types of studies. Hence, research objectives have been determined for conducting a fresh research; while Literature review chapter has also been developed for evaluating the studies carried out by some other researchers in past on the same and similar topics. Inductive and Deductive Research: Inductive research is generally conducted with the aim of articulating a new theory on the foundations of some belief, where the research is conducted by keeping the same purpose in view. On the contrary, deductive approach is interested in exploring one or more aspects of an already existing theory by focusing on some other population or area through sampling procedure. Another main difference between the two approaches includes this that inductive methods are applied in qualitative researches, while quantitative studies are carried out with the help of deductive methods (Bryman, 2012). Universe: Since the researcher has been studying in London city, the same area has been selected for conducting the research. The people having interest in sports and games as well as the business class and traders will also be the part of this study. Sampling: The researcher will select one hundred and eighty individuals as respondents during the research. Stratified sampling will be applied for this research. Tool for Data Collection: The researcher has selected interview-schedule as the tool for gathering the data from the universe selected for this research. One of the most significant advantageous attributed to interview-schedule is this that the face expressions, voice tone and body language of the participants could also be observed and noted while having face-to-face interaction with them. References Barrow, Mandy. 2007. “Sports and the Ancient Greece Olympics.” Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK. Retrieved from http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/greece/sports.htm Bailey, Kenneth D. 2007. Methods of Social Research., 4th Edition, New York: Free Press. Bryman, Alan. 2012. Social Research Methods. 4th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press Coatler, Professor Fred. 2005. “The Social Benefits of Sport: An Overview to Inform the Community Planning Process.” Sportscotland Research Report no. 98 Retrieved from http://www.sportni.net/sportni/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/the_social_benefits_of_sport_an_overview_to_inform_the_community_planning_process.pdf Crowther, Nigel B. (2007). “The Ancient Olympic Games.” Sport in Ancient Times. London: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-98739-8. Dolles, Harald & Söderman, Sten. (2005) “Globalisation of Sports - The Case of Professional Football and its International Management Challenges.” Retrieved on 02-06-2012 http://www.dijtokyo.org/doc/WP05_1GlobalizationOfSportsProfessionalFootballDollesSoederman.pdf Ignatis, Christoforos. 2011. “Athens 2004 Olympic Games - A challenge for the Hotel Sector of Athens and Greece.” Tourism & Hospitality Management. Master Thesis No 2003: 28 Retrieved from https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/2314/1/inlaga_2003_28.pdf Kubo, Hiromi. 2014.”The social and economic impact of hosting the Olympic Games-A guide to online resources.” Retrieved from http://crln.acrl.org/content/75/1/24.full Lin, Chien-Yu., Lee, Ping-Chao., & Nai, Hui-Fang (2008) “Theorising the Role of Sport in State-Politics.” International Journal of Sport and Exercise Science, 1(1): 23-32 Accessed http://web.nchu.edu.tw/~biosimulation/journal/pdf/vol-1-no01/vol-1-no-1b-0004.pdf Lumpkin, Angela. 2011. “Sport as a Reflection of Society.” Kappa Phi Forum Retrieved from http://evincent.webs.com/Sports%20as%20a%20Reflection%20on%20Society.pdf Malhotra and Birks. 2007. Marketing Research. 3th Edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited Møller, Valerie., Dickow, Helga., & Harris, Mari. 1999. “South Africas Rainbow People, National Pride and Happiness.” Rhodes University Accessed http://eprints.ru.ac.za/692/1/Rainbow.pdf Pisk, Jernej. 2006. “What is Good Sport: Plato’s Views.” Prague: Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica. 2006, vol. 36, no. 2, 67-72. Retrieved from http://www.gymnica.upol.cz/pdfs/gym/2006/02/10.pdf Scully, D., Kremer, J., Meade, M M., Graham, R. and Dudgeon, K. 1998. ‘Physical Exercise and Psychological Well Being: A Critical Review’, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 32, 111-120. Szymanski, Stefan. 2011. “About Winning: The Political Economy of Awarding the World Cup and the Olympic Games” SAIS Review, Winter-Spring 2011, Vol. 31, No. 1, 87-97, doi: 10.1353/sais.2011.0003. Wihbey, John. 2014. “Economic and cultural benefits of the Olympics: Research roundup.” Journalist’s resource. Retrieved from http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/culture/economic-and-cultural-benefits-of-the-olympics-research-roundup# BBC News. 2013. “London 2012 Olympics have boosted UK economy by £9.9bn.” Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-23370270 The Atlantic. 2015. “3 Reasons Why Hosting the Olympics Is a Losers Game.” Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/07/3-reasons-why-hosting-the-olympics-is-a-losers-game/260111/ Read More