Perception of the fair social distribution of benefits and costs of a sports event: An analysis of the mediating effect between perceived impacts and future intentions

Abstract

Residents' perception of a sporting event as a socially unfair phenomenon can lead to changes in residents' behavior towards the event and future sporting events. The aim of this study is to analyze the mediating effect of the perception variable on the fair social distribution (FSD) of benefits and costs between perceived positive and negative impacts and future intentions with respect to the celebration of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. A total of 371 residents were interviewed by using a questionnaire made up of indicators referring to positive and negative impacts, FSD, and future intentions. The psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The results confirm that positive and negative impacts are significantly related to the perception of FSD, which, in turn, significantly influences future intentions. The mediating effect of FSD between perceived impacts and future intentions was also tested. The study suggests that it is important for organizers to pay attention to the social injustices and imbalances that may be associated with the holding of major sporting events in order to improve future behaviors toward sporting events.