A mixed approach to investigating public acceptance of elite sport policy in Taiwan: antecedents and prediction

Abstract

This study developed and tested a scale for measuring antecedents of public acceptance of elite sport policy and explored the discrepancy between policy decision-maker concerns and public opinion in Taiwan according to stakeholder theory. Results of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis yielded 5 antecedents: concern for elite sport, trust in sport government agencies, emphasis on the assistance system for athletes, national pride associated with elite sport, and reasonable budgeting and transparency. A multiple stepwise regression further indicated that trust in sport government agencies and national pride associated with elite sport positively predicted public acceptance of elite sport policy. Semi-structured in-depth interviews revealed that athletic success in the international sport competitions is crucial and sport authorities in Taiwan may not necessarily consider public acceptance when developing elite sport policies. Further discussion and implications are provided.

Keywords:

• Sport management
• sport policy
• elite sport
• public acceptance

Acknowledgement

This research was funded by Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 105-2410-H-179-002 -), Taiwan, R.O.C.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).