State rationale, leveraging strategies and legacies: Rugby World Cup 2011

Dickson, Geoff

doi:10.1080/19406940.2017.1313755

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…The branding opportunities of hosting a World Cup were also capitalised on by Germany in 2006 (Grix, 2012), demonstrating that even well-known and developed nations can use an event to change image. Grix notes that Germany was seeking to increase its soft power, a policy also identified by Dickson in his study of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (Dickson, 2017).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Yet, the networks formed as part of the bid are not leveraged. There is no reason why the ways in which hosting events have been used to leverage networking opportunities could not be transferred to bids; New Zealand implemented a government led networking scheme at the 2011 Rugby World Cup (Dickson, 2017). Similarly, the Business Club Australia, a networking initiative designed to encourage international trade was put to good use at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (O'Brien, 2006).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Planning to fail? Leveraging the Olympic bid

Bason¹,

Grix

2018

MIP

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In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of cities seeking to host the Olympic Games, with several cities withdrawing from the bid process following referenda. The debate around bidding has hinged on the costs and benefits of hosting events, with little consideration as to the benefits of a bid itself. This research identifies the ways in which Olympic bids can be leveraged for positive outcomes, regardless of the outcomes of the bid. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a content analysis, examining the 16 bid responses to the question in the IOC Candidate questionnaire: "What will be the benefits of bidding for the Olympic Games for your city/region, irrespective of the outcome of the bid?". Findings This research found that bid cities do attempt to use the Olympic bid process as a leveraging resource, with four unique opportunities arising from this; national and city pride, Olympism, the formation of networks and global focus. These provide the opportunities for Olympic bid cities to achieve the following strategic objectives: nation and community building, sport participation, business opportunities, enhancing image and profile, and to push through infrastructural projects. Originality/value There has been little consideration as to the ways an Olympic bid can be used to leverage positive outcomes for a city or a nation, and therefore this research contributes to the literature on leveraging mega-events. The research also has practical value, in providing potential bidders with information regarding positive outcomes whether the bid is successful is not.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Planning to fail? Leveraging the Olympic bid

Bason¹,

Grix

2018

MIP

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“…In Fiji, unlike in New Zealand, where a government with a well‐developed tourism and events infrastructure supported the world championship in the country's national sport (Dickson , p. 306) there was little active promotion and only limited government support beforehand. Soft power has hitherto scarcely been open to small states.…”

Section: Conclusion Twenty Minutes In Brazilmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…That has been particularly evident in the desire of Russia and Qatar to host forthcoming World Cup competitions (e.g. Brannagan & Giulianotti ; Reiche ), but is as true of New Zealand's desire to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup (Deos ; Dickson ), which the government leveraged for soft power, through ‘a patriotic narrative about New Zealand “punching above its weight” and showing itself off to the world’ (Butcher , p. 265). Otherwise, with fewer nations involved, rugby has been less frequently viewed as a means of representing and building nations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much of the literature on the impact of mega-events has focused on economic and environmental issues, rather than on political outcomes. Diplomatic legacies have rarely been empirically investigated, although it is acknowledged that hosting mega-events is a useful means of developing civic and national pride and symbolically and visibly demonstrating political and diplomatic power to others (Grix et al 2015;Dickson 2017;Rocha 2017). Success at international sporting events may thus be used to nurture nationalist myths (Agnew 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fiji, rugby and the geopolitics of soft power. Shaping national and international identity

Connell

2018

N Z Geog

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In this century, sport has steadily become a more visible and marketable part of everyday life and of global political significance. States have consequently used sport as a means of soft power in order to develop a positive international presence and, usually to a lesser extent, affirm national identity. Sport diplomacy is usually associated with mega-events and large states, but Fiji has used its prowess in rugby, and its Sevens victory in the 2016 Olympic Games, to promote itself globally, strengthen its national image and support government claims to legitimacy. The government emphasised Fijian values to construct a banal nationalism, in the face of ethnic divisions, and external concerns over repression of civil society. At least ephemerally, Fiji acquired new international recognition, and the government gained national legitimacy, indicating the expanding role of sport in geopolitics.

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