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The Schoolie experience: social identity and disconfirmation

Anna Kwek (Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia)
Mitchell Ross (Department of Marketing, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia)

International Journal of Event and Festival Management

ISSN: 1758-2954

Article publication date: 10 October 2016

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe experiences of high school graduates attending a significant annual celebratory event (Schoolies) on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive, qualitative paradigm informed by social construction ideologies was adopted. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Key findings relate to attendees’ notion of excitement and perception of social identity, which was found to encompass both a rite of passage and event exclusivity. Attendees’ sense of identity developed from the unique nature of the event as well as the anticipation of excitement and the actual experience.

Originality/value

This study makes a novel contribution in that it takes an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together the sociological, social psychological, and marketing disciplines in an event management context.

Keywords

Citation

Kwek, A. and Ross, M. (2016), "The Schoolie experience: social identity and disconfirmation", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 188-200. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-02-2016-0008

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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