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Purposeful pedaling: analyzing MS 150 participant behavior

Elizabeth A. Gregg (Department of Leadership, School Counseling, and Sport Management, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA)
David A. Pierce (Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana, Indianapolis, USA)
Kristi M. Sweeney (Department of Leadership, School Counseling, and Sport Management, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA)
Jason W. Lee (Department of Leadership, School Counseling, and Sport Management, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA)

International Journal of Event and Festival Management

ISSN: 1758-2954

Article publication date: 19 October 2015

327

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore factors affecting participant awareness, attraction, and attachment to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s (NMSS) MS 150 PGA Tour Cycle to the Shore charitable bike ride utilizing the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) developed by Funk and James. In addition, the authors sought to outline variables sport organizations can use to predict donor behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this project were derived from an electronic survey distributed to race participants and was analyzed in SPSS® software. Regression analysis was employed.

Findings

The findings support previous research employing the PCM; wherein social situational variables have the greatest influence on the relational significance of hedonic and dispositional needs in attraction and attachment to sporting events. The work supports the inclusion of communities as an additional attachment outcome.

Practical implications

In all, 92 percent of riders were informed about the event through word of mouth (WOM) marketing, highlighting the importance this promotional technique in the awareness stage of the PCM. NMSS would be well served by capitalizing on the power of WOM.

Originality/value

The research provides insight into predictors of fundraising efficacy. In terms of fundraising effectiveness, participants with four or more years of participation were six times more likely than first-year riders to raise $1,000 or more.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank UNF Graduate Research Assistant and Educational Leadership Doctoral Student Nicolas Michaud for his assistance with data input and preparation.

Citation

Gregg, E.A., Pierce, D.A., Sweeney, K.M. and Lee, J.W. (2015), "Purposeful pedaling: analyzing MS 150 participant behavior", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 269-281. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-04-2015-0020

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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