Residents’ perceptions on the social impacts of an international sport event: Applying panel data design and a moderating variable

ABSTRACTThis study extends prior research by examining residents’ perception of an international sport event using panel data design, comparing pre- and post-event perceptions among demographic categories, and applying a moderating variable that influences the relationship between socio-demographic variables and perceived social impacts of the event. We administered 2,000 mail-in questionnaire surveys to randomly selected residents at the 2013 Tour de France Saitama Criterium in Japan. The results suggest that the residents overestimated the sporting event's impacts. The moderating variable “interest in the event” is significant; further several social impacts are significant factors in the sustainability of the event.