مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Networks in Hungarian leisure sports – framework for economic analysis and empirical findings

Abstract :

The aim of our research project was to develop our understanding on the role of networks in Hungarian leisure sports. Our research based on 69 in-depth interviews (31 from these were conducted in 2011 with key stakeholders in leisure sports, and the others in 2014 with experts and university students) and a quantitative online survey which was conducted in 2014 among 3374 university students out of twenty universities in Budapest. “Templates” and “Editing” qualitative analysis methods and quantitative data analysis techniques have been used. Through a large sample quantitative on-line survey we explored university students’ leisure activities, and the role personal networks could play in increasing their sporting activity. We learned that the strongest drivers for increased leisure sport activity are inner determination and the recommendation of friends and family. While team sports lose popularity, the role of networks as potential facilitators of active pastime was identified. In addition, we outlined a fundamental typology of leisure sport networks in Hungary. Key actors were identified and categorised across two dimensions describing the nature of the networks: the strength and the symmetry of relationships within the networks. Our current empirically based categorisation highlighted room for improvement related to some of the key actors. Overall, the economic and social rationale for networks in leisure sports was demonstrated through our analysis. The key outcomes of efficient networks could be better access to information, more professional operations and, perhaps most importantly, providing the much needed community for doing sports.