SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND THE DEMAND FOR SPORT: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS |
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| Authors: | PAUL DOWNWARD JOSEPH RIORDAN |
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| Institution: | Downward:;Senior Lecturer, Institute of Sport and Leisure Policy, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom. Phone +44 (0) 1509 226365, Fax +44 (0) 1509 223935, E-mail Riordan:;Senior Lecturer, AFE Department, University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, United Kingdom. Phone 0044 (0)1707 285539, Fax 0044 (0)1707 285455, E-mail |
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| Abstract: | This paper explores the decision to participate in sports activities in the United Kingdom and the subsequent frequency of participation. The paper draws links between economic and other theories of social interaction to motivate the discussion and links these theories to assessing policy initiatives in the United Kingdom. Cluster analysis is combined with a Heckman analysis to examine the empirical evidence provided by the General Household Survey in 2002. The results suggest that social and personal capital are of paramount importance in determining sports participation, and consequently, it is these features that policy should focus upon. However, the legitimacy of policy activism requires philosophical justification. ( JEL B41, C2, D11, D12) |
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