Nicholas D Theodorakis | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (original) (raw)

Research Papers by Nicholas D Theodorakis

Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 2023

The purpose of the present study was to develop a new scale, based on social identity theory, for... more The purpose of the present study was to develop a new scale, based on social identity theory, for measuring the levels of fans' identification with their favorite sport team overcoming prior shortcomings reported in several well-established instruments (e.g., connection to theory, certain aspects of psychometric properties). The study employed the item response theory as an analytical framework. Data were collected from two independent studies. Eight hundred seventyseven subjects participated in the first study and 265 in the second. Participants were viewers of Greek sporting websites of high visibility. Results of the two independent studies revealed that a unidimensional 10-item scale (named Sport Team Identification Scale; STIS-10) assesses a wide range of fans' identification levels with high precision. Moreover, STIS-10 explained a greater amount of variance for basking in reflected glory (R 2 = 47.4%) and attendance intentions (R 2 = 69.8%), compared to existing scales. The findings of the present research can contribute to the existing literature by offering a short, reliable, valid, and theoretically driven instrument to measure the social identity afforded by an individual's identification with a sport team.

North American Journal of Psychology, 2024

Sport team identification has been considered a cornerstone construct in explaining sport fan beh... more Sport team identification has been considered a cornerstone construct in explaining sport fan behavior. The employment of an appropriate instrument is of paramount importance for academics who wish to comprehend sport fandom. The purpose of the present study was twofold: First, to further evaluate a newly developed unidimensional scale for assessing sport team identification (the Sport Team Identification Scale; STIS) within the classical test theory framework. Second, to empirically compare it with the multidimensional Team Identification Scale (TIS) in terms of psychometric characteristics and predictive valence. The sample consisted of 471 basketball team supporters. The findings supported the sound psychometric properties of the STIS and the TIS. In addition, the STIS was found to have better predictive power when compared to the TIS. The theoretical implications of the study are discussed.

International Journal of Event and Festival Management

Purpose-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interrelationships among the dime... more Purpose-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interrelationships among the dimensions of sport event experience, event satisfaction and event behavioral intentions. Design/methodology/approach-The sample was comprised of 186 individuals who actively participated in a mass participation sport event. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the relationships among the latent constructs. Findings-The results indicated that the dimensions of sport event experience predicted 55% of the variance of event satisfaction and 63% of the variance of event behavioral intentions was predicted by sport event experience dimensions and event satisfaction. Specifically, the sensory, affective and relational dimensions of experience sought to have a statistically significant and positive association with event satisfaction, while event satisfaction and the relational dimension of experience were found to have a statistically significant and positive correlation with event behavioral intentions. In addition, event satisfaction was found to mediate the relationships between sensory, affective and relational experiences and event behavioral intentions. Originality/value-The present study is one of the first that explores the relationships among sport event experience's dimensions, event satisfaction and positive behavioral intentions in the context of sport event participation.

Managing Sport and Leisure, 2023

Purpose/Rationale: The primary purpose of this research was to explore whether meanings embedded ... more Purpose/Rationale: The primary purpose of this research was to explore whether meanings embedded in sport licensed products are culturally transferrable by surveying sport consumers in four countries. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study tested a model that uses product meaning as a predictor of satisfaction and consumers' intention to purchase and wear sport licensed products in the future. Study participants included 876 sport consumers from Greece, Poland, Portugal and the United States who had bought licensed products of their favorite team. Findings: Across all four countries, consumers attributed meanings related to experience, socialization, esthetics, personal history and locality to the sport licensed products they possess. With few exceptions, those meanings predicted their post-purchase satisfaction and future purchase and wear intentions. Practical Implications: Identifying cross-cultural similarities and differences in how team products are valued by their owners can guide licensing executives in their promotional and sales campaigns. Research Contribution: This study adds to existing literature on product meanings by bringing to the forefront symbolic and experiential aspects of the consumption of sport merchandise. Originality/Value: To our knowledge, this is the first study that used data from four countries to examine whether consumers' cultural background affects the meanings they attach to their team possessions.

International Journal of Sport Management, 2023

The Sport Team Identification Scale (STIS) has been recently developed as a response to raising c... more The Sport Team Identification Scale (STIS) has been recently developed as a response to raising criticism and shortcomings related to most of the existing scales used to measure fans' identification with sport teams. However, this instrument has been tested only in one study and has not been empirically compared with any of the existing well-established scales. The purpose of the present study was to further examine the STIS within the Item Response Theory framework and to compare it with the Sport Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS), in terms of psychometric properties and predictive ability. Data were collected from a Greek sporting website (n=4,851). Findings showed that not only STIS is a psychometrically sound instrument, but it also outperformed SSIS in all conducted analyses. The implications of the study were discussed.

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, , 2024

Purpose-The aim of this research was to investigate fans' responses toward a sponsor that has had... more Purpose-The aim of this research was to investigate fans' responses toward a sponsor that has had a longstanding sponsorship deal with a club and decided also to sponsor the club's rival. Design/methodology/approach-A long-term sponsorship deal between a retsina wine company and a popular football club and a newly established deal between the company and the main rival club were selected as the research setting. Data were collected from a total sample of 302 participants, fans of the two teams, using an online survey and PLS-SEM was employed to test the relationships of the proposed structural model. Findings-The results provided evidence for the importance of the inclusion of perceptions of fit for both teams to the model as it impacted the responses in the joint sponsorship. Team identification emerged significant for improving fans perceptions of fit between the sponsor and their favorite club but also led fans of the long-term sponsored club to feel betrayed from the sponsor. The sense of betrayal impacted the level of fit, the rejection of sponsorship but did not emerge significant for driving negative responses toward the sponsor's brand. The same held for the rejection of the joint sponsorship. Originality/value-This is the very first study that incorporated the effects of the perceptions of fit of two rival clubs to test the effect of sponsorship for a sponsor brand of a deal that includes a longtime sponsored football club and its rival as a newly sponsored one. It is also one of the first attempts that explores relationships between perceptions of fit, sense of betrayal and rejection of a joint sport sponsorship in a rivalry context, highlighting the importance of preventing fans' betrayal.

Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 2021

Purpose-Given the increased competition among running events, it is important for event organizer... more Purpose-Given the increased competition among running events, it is important for event organizers to comprehend how they can retain a base of loyal customers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between sport event personality and loyalty intentions of runners participating in a running event. More specifically, it examined the relationship of sport event personality dimensions with the overall image of a sporting event as well as the association of event image with runners' loyalty intentions. Design/methodology/approach-Data were collected from 247 participants of an international running event. A structural equation model analysis was followed. Findings-The results showed that three dimensions of event personality (namely, excitement, sophistication and sincerity) predicted event image, which in turn positively associated with loyalty intentions. Practical implications-The study discusses how event managers can improve the image of their events in order to increase their customers' loyalty levels. Originality/value-This is one of the first endeavors that examined the role of event image, a construct that has not received much attention in the context of road races, in a model concerning event participation.

Journal of Sport Behavior, 2019

The present study aimed to examine the attitudes and behaviors of football fans in the Middle Eas... more The present study aimed to examine the attitudes and behaviors of football fans in the Middle East and to make comparisons between the different football markets in the region. Overall, 2133 football fans from 10 countries participated in the survey. Results showed that football is popular among all fans, regardless of country, age and income brackets. In the Middle East, fans frequently follow multiple football teams, while both males and females are highly identified with their favored teams. Results also showed that the big European football teams have created a solid fan base in this part of the world. Finally, the more passionate group of fans is keen not only on attending football games, but participating more in different types of sporting, leisure and art events and activities as well. The theoretical and applied implications of these results are discussed.

Sport Business Management, 2019

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 2020

Purpose-The concept of sport team identification has been widely used as a theoretical framework ... more Purpose-The concept of sport team identification has been widely used as a theoretical framework in explaining sport fan behavior. However, limited attention has been devoted to the consequences of distant (i.e., foreign) team identification. The purpose of the current research was to examine the way in which fans (local and distant) can increase their levels of collective and personal self-esteem due to their team identification. Design/methodology/approach-Data were accumulated from three Greek websites (N 5 742). Among them, 623 subjects were grouped as local and 119 as distant football fans. A structural invariance analysis was followed. Findings-The results revealed how team identification, enduring team-related social connections, and basking in reflected glory are interrelated to affect collective and finally personal self-esteem. Moreover, no differences were found between local and distant fans regarding the paths from eam identification to collective self-esteem and from collective self-esteem to personal self-esteem. Originality/value-This is one of the first endeavors to examine the psychological consequences of distant team identification and to test the invariance across local and distant fans concerning the mechanisms that their personal self-esteem can be enhanced because their psychological connection to their favorite sport team.

Sport events constitute attractive platforms for providing unique experiences which increase, amo... more Sport events constitute attractive platforms for providing unique experiences which increase, among others, participants' satisfaction and purchase happiness. The current research explores whether (a) how event service quality elements influence have an impact on event satisfaction; (b) how satisfaction with the event influences happiness with the consumption experience; and (c) happiness influences the participant's perceived quality of life. Data were collected from 344 participants of an international running event in Greece, adopting survey methods. Results indicated that event evaluations, in terms of quality and satisfaction, are inter-related and affect happiness with the experiential purchase. Furthermore, for the first time evidence is provided connecting purchase happiness with quality of life. The study contributes to leisure and sport management literature by empirically demonstrating that participation in quality sport events can significantly enhance the participants' quality of life. Implications of this study include the designing of events to have more experiential elements to contribute to consumption happiness and enhanced quality of life.

International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 2018

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emeral... more If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.com Emerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services. Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.

EDUCATION 3-13 International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 2017

The present study was set out to investigate the association between teachers’ perception of the ... more The present study was set out to investigate the association between teachers’ perception of the quality of their relationships with their students’ and teachers’ professional self-efficacy. Fifty public school teachers were asked: (a) to assess their perceived levels of efficacy and (b) to randomly select eight students from their classrooms (4 males and 4 females) for whom (n = 395) to evaluate the quality of their relationships. The two administered instruments were the Teachers’
Sense of Efficacy Scale [Tschannen-Moran and Hoy. 2001. “Teacher Efficacy: Capturing an Elusive Construct.” Teaching and Teacher Education 17 (7): 783–805] and the Teacher–Student Relationship Inventory (TSRI; Ang. 2005. “Development and Validation of the Teacher–Student Relationship Inventory Using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.” The Journal of Experimental Education 74 (1): 55–74). Initially, the psychometric properties of the TSRI were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Greek version of TSRI has the same three-factor structure reported in other cultures. Multilevel analysis
revealed that teachers’ beliefs were not related to any of the TSRI dimensions. Teachers’ and students’ gender seem to affect teachers’ perceptions of their relationships with their students.

The current investigation extended past efforts on cultural differences in sport fandom by invest... more The current investigation extended past efforts on cultural differences in sport fandom by investigating sport fandom in Qatar, a previously unexplored culture. A sample o/259 sport fans completed a questionnaire packet assessing demographic variables, sport fandom, team identification, impacts of various socialization agents. and six typical sport/an behaviors. The results revealed a number of interesting findings including gender difl'erences (males exhibited both greater levels of identification with a team and sport fandom than females), the influence of team-related factors for selecting a sport team, and a particularly large percentage of foreign teams listed as one 11 favorite team. To farther our understanding of the behavior of sport /01111 globally and provide insights to sport manages, the results of this research are compared and contrasted with similar studies conducted in Australia, Greece, Norway, U.K., and the U.S.

Studying the factors that contribute to the development of skiing loyalty holds particular intere... more Studying the factors that contribute to the development of skiing loyalty holds particular interest for ski resort managers and marketers, since it has been reported that recreational skiers’ dropout rates are considerably high. This study examines how intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural constraints, influence the development of skiers’ stage-based attitudinal loyalty (Attraction, Attachment and Allegiance stages), as conceptualised by the psychological continuum model, and further tests if constraints can be used for classifying skiers into the three stages of the model (Attraction, Attachment and Allegiance). Two hundred and thirty (N = 230) recreational skiers from one ski resort in North Greece participated in the study. The results indicated that the intensity of perceived constraints decreased from the lowest (attraction) to the highest (Allegiance) stage of the model. However, the hierarchical influence of constraints was not entirely confirmed, since all three types of constraints contributed to the stage classification of recreational skiers. The theoretical and applied implications of these results are discussed.

The Sport Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS) is a widely used instrument designed to measure s... more The Sport Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS) is a widely used instrument designed to measure spectators’ levels of identification with a sport team. Despite the fact that several studies were conducted to examine its validity and reliability, these past efforts relied solely on Classical Test Theory (Lock et al. 2009; Theodorakis et al., 2006; Wann & Branscombe, 1993). The purpose of the present study was to reevaluate the SSIS psychometric properties within the Item Response Theory (IRT) framework. Although the findings are encouraging, there are issues of concern and suggestions for the instrument’s further improvement

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 01490400 2014 938846, Dec 20, 2014

The consumption of sport events through direct participation can influence participants' percepti... more The consumption of sport events through direct participation can influence participants' perception of happiness with that experiential purchase given the time and resources invested in that experience. The purpose of the study was to examine how sport event service quality aspects operationalized through the physical environment, interaction, and outcome factors influence overall satisfaction with the event and experiential happiness. Data were collected from 300 runners who participated in 5k and 10k races. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed the positive effect of outcome and physical environment factors on satisfaction with the event and the positive influence of event satisfaction and outcome quality on experiential happiness. The overall expectations on the quality of the event experience can be a focus for event managers aiming to achieve social marketing goals related to positive psychology from the event participation.

Sport Management Review, 2014

Managing Leisure, 2014

The present study examines three competing models to clarify the relative role of antecedents to ... more The present study examines three competing models to clarify the relative role of antecedents to behavioural intentions in sport and fitness centres. In other sport and fitness research, there is some variability in respect to the relative influence on loyalty measures of such antecedents as service quality, value and satisfaction. Results of the present study support a satisfaction model with satisfaction as a mediator between both service quality and value and behavioural intentions. The satisfaction model was deemed superior to a value model and a comprehensive model. Recommendations are for future research to examine more comprehensive models in sport and fitness contexts to include a wider range of antecedents to explain the variance in global satisfaction and its influence on a range of loyalty measures additional to behavioural intentions.

Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 2023

North American Journal of Psychology, 2024

International Journal of Event and Festival Management

Managing Sport and Leisure, 2023

International Journal of Sport Management, 2023

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, , 2024

Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 2021

Journal of Sport Behavior, 2019

Sport Business Management, 2019

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 2020

International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 2018

EDUCATION 3-13 International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 2017

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 01490400 2014 938846, Dec 20, 2014

Sport Management Review, 2014

Managing Leisure, 2014

Un estudio de validación cruzada sobre la escala de percepción de otros consumidores en el contex... more Un estudio de validación cruzada sobre la escala de percepción de otros consumidores en el contexto de centros deportivos y de fitness

Routledge Online Studies on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 2012

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 2020

PurposeThe concept of sport team identification has been widely used as a theoretical framework i... more PurposeThe concept of sport team identification has been widely used as a theoretical framework in explaining sport fan behavior. However, limited attention has been devoted to the consequences of distant (i.e., foreign) team identification. The purpose of the current research was to examine the way in which fans (local and distant) can increase their levels of collective and personal self-esteem due to their team identification.Design/methodology/approachData were accumulated from three Greek websites (N = 742). Among them, 623 subjects were grouped as local and 119 as distant football fans. A structural invariance analysis was followed.FindingsThe results revealed how team identification, enduring team-related social connections, and basking in reflected glory are interrelated to affect collective and finally personal self-esteem. Moreover, no differences were found between local and distant fans regarding the paths from eam identification to collective self-esteem and from collec...

International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 2018

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the sources of inspiration for active participant... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the sources of inspiration for active participants in sport events, and the link between inspiration sources and event-related outcomes (i.e. life satisfaction and behavioral intentions). Design/methodology/approach Research questions were examined using a Greek (n=264) and a US (n=103) sample of participants of two small-scale running events. Content analysis was used to identify and code the themes of inspiration, while a multivariate analyses of variance was performed to test the inspiration group differences on life satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Findings The qualitative findings revealed three categories of inspiration source identified in each sample. The quantitative results showed that the interaction between inspiration source and event type had an overall effect on participants’ life satisfaction and future participation intention. Specifically, findings highlighted the different roles of inspiration on influencing l...

Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 2019

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the psychometric properties of the Team Brand Person... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the psychometric properties of the Team Brand Personality Scale by Blank et al. (2013, 2018) in the context of the professional football clubs in Greece, based on the perceptions of fans for their own team and the rival team. The brand personality team scores of the fans are also used to create a league map presenting the brand personality of the different teams of the Greek football Super League. Design/methodology/approach Following a quantitative research design, 724 Greek football fans completed an electronic questionnaire assessing demographics, brand personality, team identification, sport involvement, attitudinal loyalty and game attractiveness. Findings The results partially confirmed the psychometric properties of the brand personality scale and suggested that the notion of brand personality influences positively the attitudinal loyalty and game attractiveness of the fans. Based on the results, the personality structure for the f...

Education 3-13, 2017

ABSTRACT The present study was set out to investigate the association between teachers’ perceptio... more ABSTRACT The present study was set out to investigate the association between teachers’ perception of the quality of their relationships with their students’ and teachers’ professional self-efficacy. Fifty public school teachers were asked: (a) to assess their perceived levels of efficacy and (b) to randomly select eight students from their classrooms (4 males and 4 females) for whom (n = 395) to evaluate the quality of their relationships. The two administered instruments were the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale [Tschannen-Moran and Hoy. 2001. “Teacher Efficacy: Capturing an Elusive Construct.” Teaching and Teacher Education 17 (7): 783–805] and the Teacher–Student Relationship Inventory (TSRI; Ang. 2005. “Development and Validation of the Teacher–Student Relationship Inventory Using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.” The Journal of Experimental Education 74 (1): 55–74). Initially, the psychometric properties of the TSRI were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Greek version of TSRI has the same three-factor structure reported in other cultures. Multilevel analysis revealed that teachers’ beliefs were not related to any of the TSRI dimensions. Teachers’ and students’ gender seem to affect teachers’ perceptions of their relationships with their students.

Leisure Studies, 2016

Abstract Studying the factors that contribute to the development of skiing loyalty holds particul... more Abstract Studying the factors that contribute to the development of skiing loyalty holds particular interest for ski resort managers and marketers, since it has been reported that recreational skiers’ dropout rates are considerably high. This study examines how intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural constraints, influence the development of skiers’ stage-based attitudinal loyalty (Attraction, Attachment and Allegiance stages), as conceptualised by the psychological continuum model, and further tests if constraints can be used for classifying skiers into the three stages of the model (Attraction, Attachment and Allegiance). Two hundred and thirty (N = 230) recreational skiers from one ski resort in North Greece participated in the study. The results indicated that the intensity of perceived constraints decreased from the lowest (attraction) to the highest (Allegiance) stage of the model. However, the hierarchical influence of constraints was not entirely confirmed, since all three types of constraints contributed to the stage classification of recreational skiers. The theoretical and applied implications of these results are discussed.

Leisure Sciences, 2012

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

Place Attachment is a concept with growing importance in Sports tourism. This concept refers to t... more Place Attachment is a concept with growing importance in Sports tourism. This concept refers to the extent to which an individual values or identifies with a particular environmental setting (Moore & Graefe, 1994; Moore & Scott, 2003). Four dimensions constitute Place attachment: place dependence, place identity, social bonding and affective attachment (Kyle et al., 2004b). In this study, the concept was brought to the team sports, namely, to Soccer. The objective of this study is to translate the Place Attachment Scale (PAS) into Portuguese and to examine the crosscultural generalizability of the factor structure and psychometric properties underlying responses to the translated scale. Therefore, the present study extends the use of the PAS to Portuguese soccer fans through testing the psychometric properties and the cross-cultural validity of the translated scales. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis and the alpha scores provide evidence for the validity and reliabilit...

Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 2021

PurposeGiven the increased competition among running events, it is important for event organizers... more PurposeGiven the increased competition among running events, it is important for event organizers to comprehend how they can retain a base of loyal customers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between sport event personality and loyalty intentions of runners participating in a running event. More specifically, it examined the relationship of sport event personality dimensions with the overall image of a sporting event as well as the association of event image with runners’ loyalty intentions.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 247 participants of an international running event. A structural equation model analysis was followed.FindingsThe results showed that three dimensions of event personality (namely, excitement, sophistication and sincerity) predicted event image, which in turn positively associated with loyalty intentions.Practical implicationsThe study discusses how event managers can improve the image of their events in order ...

The majority of studies, from what is known to date, have focused on the effect of the service qu... more The majority of studies, from what is known to date, have focused on the effect of the service quality dimensions in overall satisfaction not dynamic but in a cross sectional way, without highlighting the contribution of their experience level. Latest research in services, support that, the needs and customer’s perceptions change over time depending on their experience level. The present study examines the relationship between three specific service quality dimensions with overall satisfaction among novice and experienced participants in the field of SfA (Sport for All) programs. In total, there were 478 men and women participants from SfA programs offered by two adjacent Municipalities in Northern Greece. According to their participation time in specific programs, 116 of them were classified as novice and 296 as experienced, while the results of the survey found statistically significant differences between the two groups only in one dimension, the outcome quality. Based on the abo...

The current investigation examined the interrelationships among overall sport team identification... more The current investigation examined the interrelationships among overall sport team identification, specific dimensions of team identification, and behavioral intentions. Using an antecedents approach to guide pre dictions (Dabholkar, Shepherd, & Thorpe, 2000), a model was tested in which overall identification would mediate the relationship between specific dimensions of team identification and behavioral intentions. To test the hypothesized pattern of effects, participants completed a questionnaire packet assessing overall iden tification via the Sport Spectator Identification Scale (Wann & Branscombe, 1993), specific dimensions of identification assessed via the Team Identification Scale (Dimmock & Grove, 2006; Theodorakis, Dimmock, Wann, & Barlas, 2010), and four items assessing behavioral intentions. A series of regression analyses con firmed the predicted pattern of effects. Specifically, both overall identification and the specific dimensions of identification predicted behavi...

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism

Abstract Sport events constitute attractive platforms for providing unique experiences which incr... more Abstract Sport events constitute attractive platforms for providing unique experiences which increase, among others, participants’ satisfaction and purchase happiness. The current research explores whether (a) how event service quality elements influence have an impact on event satisfaction; (b) how satisfaction with the event influences happiness with the consumption experience; and (c) happiness influences the participant’s perceived quality of life. Data were collected from 344 participants of an international running event in Greece, adopting survey methods. Results indicated that event evaluations, in terms of quality and satisfaction, are inter-related and affect happiness with the experiential purchase. Furthermore, for the first time evidence is provided connecting purchase happiness with quality of life. The study contributes to leisure and sport management literature by empirically demonstrating that participation in quality sport events can significantly enhance the participants’ quality of life. Implications of this study include the designing of events to have more experiential elements to contribute to consumption happiness and enhanced quality of life.

International Sport Coaching Journal

The present study aimed to develop a scale for measuring Qataris’ attitudes toward coaching and t... more The present study aimed to develop a scale for measuring Qataris’ attitudes toward coaching and their intentions towards this profession. The survey target population included Qataris who were 18 years or older and who lived in residential housing units in Qatar. To assure representation of population a proportionate stratified sampling method was used. Overall, 823 Qatari nationals participated in the study. To develop the scale for measuring Qataris’ attitudes toward coaching (ATC), standard scale development procedures were followed. These procedures resulted in a 5-factors measure; Image, Personal development, Job nature, Rewards and Limitations. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided initial evidence regarding the factorial, convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. The reliability of all factors were also satisfactory. The five aforementioned factors predicted 22% of the variability in job intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of the study ...

In N icholas TI1 eodOI'akis, Kon s ta n tin os A lexand ris, Pedro Rodri guez a nd Pedro J. Sarm ... more In N icholas TI1 eodOI'akis, Kon s ta n tin os A lexand ris, Pedro Rodri guez a nd Pedro J. Sarm e nto The preseul sllldy allll/'d to le,' tlw salL'!aclioll leveis ~(Cl/slomas of lteaJtl/ dllb. ill POr/ligai, based On a "I//llile "f fO/lr IlIlIIrlred alld Iwellly six !N=426) indiIlidllols, WllO Wf'ri' lIIembers 01 fhte pri'l.ltlfe c1ubs in Braga, Portugal. Tlte IIced•satisfae/ioll seale !Alexalldris et ai., 1999) ,,'as /I,,'d lo ael/ieut' ti/c objee• lives cif ti/c .I/ldy. Til" pri/l cipal coII/ponelll Il/llll!!sis of li/e /leed-salisfaclioll srale revcalcd five dimellsiolls, ",ltieh lUere labelrd as follolt's: faci/ilies / services, slaf!, re/llxation, heaUl/ / filness, social / inlellce/llal. Ali Ilte s/lb-scales TVere show/I lO IIm 1 l" good internai cOlIsistency reliabiJities. Tlle descriptivf statistics iHdicatrd high /IIMn Scures for ali the /lt'ed-sati~(aclion di/lll'llsions. Dell/ogmphic CO/llpariso/l5 f"rlher/llMe ;,/dicnled Ihal fenlllles ",ere les5 satisfied t/I/ln /IIales i/l lhe facililies / ser"ices dimc/lsiem, wl1ile lhe 111051 edl/calcd i/ldividuals Ulere lhe leasl salisfieri bollt i/l Ilte faeililies / services a/ld sodal / illlel/eelual di-/1le/lsiolls. Tltr illlplicaliolls eif l!tese restl/ts are disCIIssrd.

Inquiries in Sport Physical Education, 2008

Η έννοια της ανάμειξης με μια αθλητική δραστηριότητα έχει διαπιστωθεί ότι συνδέεται θετικά με την... more Η έννοια της ανάμειξης με μια αθλητική δραστηριότητα έχει διαπιστωθεί ότι συνδέεται θετικά με την αφοσίωση των συμμετεχόντων προς τους φορείς ή τις εγκαταστάσεις που παρέχουν τη δραστηριότητα αυτή. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν να εξετάσει τη σχέση της ανάμειξης των φιλάθλων με το ποδόσφαιρο και της αφοσίωσής τους στην ομάδα τους. Το δείγμα της έρευνας αποτέλεσαν 215 Έλληνες φοιτητές. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας επιβεβαίωσαν και στο χώρο της συμπεριφοράς των φιλάθλων το μοντέλο των τριών διαστάσεων της ανάμειξης. Επίσης, οι αναλύσεις γραμμικής παλινδρόμησης έδειξαν ότι οι τρεις διαστάσεις της ανάμειξης προέβλεψαν σε διαφορετικό βαθμό ένα στατιστικά σημαντικό ποσοστό συγκεκριμένων δεικτών αφοσίωσης των φιλάθλων στην ομάδα τους. Η διερεύνηση του βαθμού που οι διαστάσεις της ανάμειξης επηρεάζουν τη συμπεριφορά των φιλάθλων μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί από τα διοικητικά στελέχη των επαγγελματικών ομάδων για τη δημιουργία του προφίλ ανάμειξης των φιλάθλων τους με το ποδόσφαιρο, την τμηματοποίησή τους και την ανάπτυξη αποτελεσματικότερων μορφών επικοινωνίας με αυτούς.

Σκοπός της εργασίας ήταν η εξέταση των ψυχομετρικών ιδιοτήτων της κλίμακας των «Ανασταλτικών Παρα... more Σκοπός της εργασίας ήταν η εξέταση των ψυχομετρικών ιδιοτήτων της κλίμακας των «Ανασταλτικών Παραγόντων Αναψυχής» (Alexandris & Caroll, 1997) και η διερεύνηση του ρόλου των ανασταλτικών παραγόντων στα επίπεδα ανάμειξης συμμετεχόντων σε οργανωμένα προγράμματα παραδοσιακού χορού. Για τη διερεύνηση των ανασταλτικών παραγόντων και των επιπέδων ανάμειξης χρησιμοποιήθηκαν η κλίμακα των «Ανασταλτικών Παραγόντων Αναψυχής» (Alexandris & Carroll, 1997) και η ελληνική έκδοση της κλίμακας «Ανάμειξης στην Αναψυχή» (Kyle, Graefe, Manning, & Bacon, 2003). Τα αποτελέσματα επιβεβαίωσαν την παραγοντική δομή και την εσωτερική συνοχή των ερωτημάτων της κλίμακας των «Ανασταλτικών Παραγόντων Αναψυχής». Επίσης, βρέθηκε ότι οι ανασταλτικοί παράγοντες προβλέπουν ένα στατιστικά σημαντικό ποσοστό των επιπέδων ανάμειξης σε δραστηριότητες παραδοσιακού χορού. Γενικά φαίνεται ότι οι ανασταλτικοί παράγοντες παίζουν ένα σημαντικό ρόλο στην πρόβλεψη των επιπέδων ανάμιξης σε δραστηριότητες παραδοσιακού χορού.

… and public relations: …, 2004

... Olympic Games: a framework for international public relations Yvonne Harahousou, Chris Kabits... more ... Olympic Games: a framework for international public relations Yvonne Harahousou, Chris Kabitsis, Anna ... for the public relations in organizing committees which, with certain minor alterations, based on ... promotion of the state lotteries, increased awareness on the torch relay route ...

Studying the factors that contribute to the development of skiing loyalty holds particular intere... more Studying the factors that contribute to the development of skiing loyalty holds particular interest for ski resort managers and marketers, since it has been reported that recreational skiers' dropout rates are considerably high. This study examines how intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural constraints, influence the development of skiers' stage-based attitudinal loyalty (Attraction, Attachment and Allegiance stages), as conceptualised by the psychological continuum model, and further tests if constraints can be used for classifying skiers into the three stages of the model (Attraction, Attachment and Allegiance). Two hundred and thirty (N = 230) recreational skiers from one ski resort in North Greece participated in the study. The results indicated that the intensity of perceived constraints decreased from the lowest (attraction) to the highest (Allegiance) stage of the model. However, the hierarchical influence of constraints was not entirely confirmed, since all three types of constraints contributed to the stage classification of recreational skiers. The theoretical and applied implications of these results are discussed.