Abstract
Purpose - The literature suggests that the Olympic Games generate a range of social legacies (e.g. community pride, receptiveness, and volunteerism) that provide a foundation for extended social interaction and community development. Little of this research identifies ways in which such expressions of social cohesion and associated social capital are generated amongst Games-related tourism stakeholders. Consequently, this research explores how varying types of social capital were generated through the collective processes, interactions and activities pursued by stakeholders involved in leveraging tourism benefits from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Design/methodology/approach - In this research, social capital was assessed based on the perspectives offered by stakeholders in the 2010 Tourism Consortium engaged in leveraging tourism benefits from the Games. These 15 key informants took part in both a personal interview and follow-up survey exploring various dimensions of social capital they encountered during their preparations for the Games. In the study social capital referred to the degree of shared trust, mutual understanding, respect and interest in future collaborations generated or lost as a consequence of preparations for the Games.Findings - While based solely on a single mega-event case study, the findings suggest that the extent of bonding, bridging and linking social capital generated was very much dependent on the structure and operating culture of the 2010 Tourism Consortium. Research limitations/implications - Originality/value - Further explorations using similar social capital assessment tools in other mega-event contexts will help validate the findings offered, as well as contribute to an emerging appreciation of the relationships between mega-events and tourism social capital development.
Purpose - The literature suggests that the Olympic Games generate a range of social legacies (e.g. community pride, receptiveness, and volunteerism) that provide a foundation for extended social interaction and community development. Little of this research identifies ways in which such expressions of social cohesion and associated social capital are generated amongst Games-related tourism stakeholders. Consequently, this research explores how varying types of social capital were generated through the collective processes, interactions and activities pursued by stakeholders involved in leveraging tourism benefits from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Design/methodology/approach - In this research, social capital was assessed based on the perspectives offered by stakeholders in the 2010 Tourism Consortium engaged in leveraging tourism benefits from the Games. These 15 key informants took part in both a personal interview and follow-up survey exploring various dimensions of social capital they encountered during their preparations for the Games. In the study social capital referred to the degree of shared trust, mutual understanding, respect and interest in future collaborations generated or lost as a consequence of preparations for the Games.Findings - While based solely on a single mega-event case study, the findings suggest that the extent of bonding, bridging and linking social capital generated was very much dependent on the structure and operating culture of the 2010 Tourism Consortium. Research limitations/implications - Originality/value - Further explorations using similar social capital assessment tools in other mega-event contexts will help validate the findings offered, as well as contribute to an emerging appreciation of the relationships between mega-events and tourism social capital development.