Gender, Millennials, and leisure constraints: Exploring golf’s participation decline

This paper addresses the dearth of research regarding why the golf industry, specifically in the United States, is stagnating and, in some cases, losing participants. We focus on why Millennials are not playing golf to the same extent as previous generations. This is a conceptual paper, drawing upon literature in sports, leisure, gender, and marketing to track the current trends in sports participation, leisure, and household production to determine the constraints that might limit golf participation. In this paper, we highlight gender as an important social structure and conceptual lens for understanding social changes, particularly among Millennials, which could also contribute to the reductions in golf participation. We offer practical solutions for the golf industry to grow, especially among the Millennial audience. We suggest, among other actions, that golf should improve its appeal to the entire family

Gender, Millennials, and leisure constraints: Exploring golf’s participation decline

This paper addresses the dearth of research regarding why the golf industry, specifically in the United States, is stagnating and, in some cases, losing participants. We focus on why Millennials are not playing golf to the same extent as previous generations. This is a conceptual paper, drawing upon literature in sports, leisure, gender, and marketing to track the current trends in sports participation, leisure, and household production to determine the constraints that might limit golf participation. In this paper, we highlight gender as an important social structure and conceptual lens for understanding social changes, particularly among Millennials, which could also contribute to the reductions in golf participation. We offer practical solutions for the golf industry to grow, especially among the Millennial audience. We suggest, among other actions, that golf should improve its appeal to the entire family

Desalination by forward osmosis: Identifying performance limiting parameters through module-scale modeling

In this study, we analyze the effects of membrane properties, namely water permeability, solute permeability, and structural parameter, on the overall performance of an FO membrane module to extract water from simulated seawater (0.6 M NaCl). By considering the thermodynamic limit of operation, we demonstrate that the maximum achievable water recovery is practically independent of membrane properties, and higher maximum water recovery is achievable with counter-current compared to co-current mode. Analysis of the module-scale model indicates that reducing the support layer structural parameter offers substantial reductions in the membrane area required to achieve a specified water recovery. For example, a 25% reduction of the structural parameter of a state-of-the-art thin-film composite (TFC) membrane (from 400 to 300 μm) yields a sizable 20% reduction in membrane area. In contrast, quintupling the water permeability coefficient (from 2.0 to 10.0 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) of a modern TFC membrane generates only a modest 10% saving in membrane area. In addition, because of the permeability-selectivity trade-off that governs current polymeric membranes, doubling the water permeability coefficient would cause crippling ~7-fold increases in forward and reverse solute permeation. This quantitative study models the potential performance of a module-scale FO desalination process and firmly highlights the need to prioritize the reduction of support layer mass transport resistances over water permeability increases in membrane development

Forward osmosis research trends in desalination and wastewater treatment: A review of research trends over the past decade

Issues of water scarcity and water security have driven the rapid development of various technologies to ensure water sustainability. The forward osmosis (FO) membrane process has been widely recognized as one of the more promising technologies to play an important role in alleviating the issues of water sustainability. Extensive research has been carried out worldwide to explore the potential of FO in desalination, water and wastewater treatment and reclamation. It is of the utmost importance to understand the topics of interest and research trends to further advance the development of FO process technology. In this study, a bibliometric analysis based on the Scopus database was carried out to identify and understand the global research trends of FO process based on 6 main analyses: basic growth trends, journals, countries, institutions, authors, and keywords. A total of 1462 article published between 1967-2018 were extracted from Scopus and used as the raw data for bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software. The total number of FO articles has sharply increased since 2009 and stabilized at around 250 publications in the past three years. FO research started to diversify after the appearance of commercial FO membranes with improved characteristics, enabling the researchers to employ them for various application studies. Keywords analysis showed that the main directions of FO research could be categorized into three clusters: application of FO, membrane fouling study, and FO membrane synthesis. These bibliometric results provide a valuable reference and information on current research directions of FO for researchers and industry practitioners

Underdog consumption: An exploration into meanings and motives

Marketers frequently position business concerns—whether brands, teams, or stores—as the non market-dominant entity (or the “underdog”). This article examines the motives for underdog support through in-depth interviews and a focus group. Findings suggest that underdog consumers support underdogs out of empathy, as a way to ensure the maintenance of equal opportunity in competition, and as a way to provide personal inspiration. Some motives for underdog support can be interpreted to be anti-consumption (or, at least, anti-corporate) in nature. On the other hand, many underdog consumers support and identify with underdogs not necessarily as a way to keep the top dog down, but as a means to keep the little guy competing. Rather than solely “vote-against” behavior, “vote-for” behavior is very evident as well

Examining the gender gap in participatory golf using a ritual dramaturgical framework and gender perspective

A “churning effect” exists in golf in which nearly the same number of people leave the game each year as enter. Women, however, leave the game faster than men and only comprise approximately a fifth of the participatory golf population. This proportion has seen little change despite the fact that women consistently make up a disproportionately large amount of the beginner population. This study examines the theoretical underpinnings of this gap and looks at why women consistently golf less than men, irrespective of the notion that golf is seen as a sport that is neither masculine nor feminine. We collected usable surveys from 900 golfers in the state of Nebraska, 617 of which are from women. To examine more closely the impact of the churning effect on women, we broke down the female population by the years of playing experience. Those with five or fewer years of experience are called the NFGs (novice female golfers), and those with five or more years of experience are called the EFGs (experienced female golfers). The key constructs involved in this study include sacredness, the gendered dramaturgical components, opposite sex privileged status, consumer alienation, play (communitas, flow, and ecstasy), empowerment, leisure entitlement, and enduring involvement. In this study, golf is explored as a dramaturgical ritual, which is deconstructed into stage metaphors or dramaturgical components. These gendered dramaturgical components or GDCs include the setting, roles, performances, language, and props. As expected, we found that men perceive golf as being more sacred than women do, and women score higher on golf\u27s GDCs. Greater sensitivity to golf\u27s GDCs (or higher scores) is positively associated with higher perceptions of opposite sex privileged status. Overall, the most interesting story that emerges from the relationships between domain sacredness and the GDCs is how higher levels of sacredness is positively associated with more pressure to create appropriate impressions and to stay within one\u27s gender boundaries. This feeling is demonstrated most prevalently among the EFGs

Building a compelling underdog consumption experience

© 2020 Small Business Institute®. While recognizing the marketing potential of a company’s underdog status, existing research on underdog businesses has typically focused on how to effectively communicate about the underdog story. This study departs from prior research by formulating a theoretical framework to guide managers on systematically building and strengthening the underdog consumption experience as well as commu-nicating about it. Recent research on motivational bases of consumers’ underdog affection shows that drivers for underdog affection are much more than empathy and they also include feelings of dissatisfaction with dominant industry players, need for market balance maintenance, desire to be different and need for unique consumption experiences, admiration for perseverance, hope for hard-earned triumphs, and extension of oneself also as an underdog. Guided by the contingency framework of strategic decision-making, we apply the above notable findings to key areas of a company’s marketing strategy, specifically translating the motivational bases identified in existing research into pertinent company actions, which will in turn generate rewarding customer benefits. By formulating a series of innovative perspectives to guide underdog businesses on building as well as selling a compelling underdog consumption experience, this current article represents a significant addition to past research on underdog businesses

Keeping it real with Bruce Springsteen: How a celebrity brand survives via narrative, authenticity and transparency

© 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: Unlike artists using sartorial flair and flamboyant identities to shock and engage audiences, Bruce Springsteen is relatable, stable, consistent and authentic. Based on qualitative interviews of Springsteen fans of various levels, it is suggested that brands can sustain success through such tactics as existential authenticity, transparency and charity. His fans co-opt his music and co-create their own stories, which are enabled through Springsteen\u27s use of universal themes and vivid details. In terms of a branding paradigm, he adapts to the post-postmodern era, where brands allow individuals to define their own meaning. Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a qualitative method in generating themes and relationships on the enduring success of Bruce Springsteen\u27s brand. They interviewed 19 informants of various levels of fan support and various backgrounds and areas. They used grounded theory methodology, including open coding, triangulation and member checks, to develop themes and findings. Findings: In general, it was found that narrative structure and cause-and-effect stories are at the heart of his enduring success. While his individual songs, stage performances and charitable works cover a variety of topics and interests, combined they map to the same universal story structure, thus giving his fans solid understanding of his brand. His underdog appeal and story of redemption are maintained through such tactics as vivid songwriting, activism and charitable acts despite his international success and fame. Research limitations/implications: Theoretically, the authors add to the literature on celebrity branding, narratology and authenticity. Specifically, the authors build upon the notion of existential authenticity, connecting a brand to its various stakeholders beyond customers in a way that is holistically authentic. We also suggest that to sustain a brand for the long haul, it is necessary to be transparent and available to your community members. The story of your brand needs to resonate and be meaningful to the audience in a way that is believable, and more importantly true to the artist and product. Practical implications: The authors show how narrative structure and universal story themes create ways in which fans can identify. By not straying too far away from the inherent brand meaning, brands can achieve long-term success. Tactically, all ways to manage the brand must link to the main story, but authenticity and maintaining a macromarketing perspective are the keys to making the story believable and enduring. In Springsteen\u27s case, according to our interviews, his music and the message of his well-scripted songs have always mapped well with his real-life persona, making a distinction between his staged persona and actual self visibly difficult to distinguish. Social implications: Part of Bruce Springsteen\u27s enduring success and strong brand are built on his charitable works and activism. Brands that have this aspect will endure as well if motives are transparent, benign and believable. Springsteen has succeeded in this aspect because his charitable works often go unnoticed or unreported, which his fans respect when they discover these acts. Originality/value: Theoretically, the authors also add to the question (i.e. WH-question) literature in terms of connectedness and felt meaning. Springsteen\u27s music connects specific discourse to universal stories/themes via his vivid songwriting, live performances, charitable acts and multiple other tactics. The data suggest that Springsteen\u27s experiences are so vivid and thoughtful that little is needed for the audience to obtain aesthetic or felt meaning of his universal story themes. He allows direct access to the stories without internal interpretation, which then allows for instant penetration of felt meaning

Underdog consumption: An exploration into meanings and motives

Marketers frequently position business concerns - whether brands, teams, or stores - as the non market-dominant entity (or the "underdog"). This article examines the motives for underdog support through in-depth interviews and a focus group. Findings suggest that underdog consumers support underdogs out of empathy, as a way to ensure the maintenance of equal opportunity in competition, and as a way to provide personal inspiration. Some motives for underdog support can be interpreted to be anti-consumption (or, at least, anti-corporate) in nature. On the other hand, many underdog consumers support and identify with underdogs not necessarily as a way to keep the top dog down, but as a means to keep the little guy competing. Rather than solely "vote-against" behavior, "vote-for" behavior is very evident as well.Anti-consumption Creolization Counter-conformity Glocalization Identification Underdogs

Gender, Millennials, and leisure constraints: exploring golf’s participation decline

© 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This paper addresses the dearth of research regarding why the golf industry, specifically in the United States, is stagnating and, in some cases, losing participants. We focus on why Millennials are not playing golf to the same extent as previous generations. This is a conceptual paper, drawing upon literature in sports, leisure, gender, and marketing to track the current trends in sports participation, leisure, and household production to determine the constraints that might limit golf participation. In this paper, we highlight gender as an important social structure and conceptual lens for understanding social changes, particularly among Millennials, which could also contribute to the reductions in golf participation. We offer practical solutions for the golf industry to grow, especially among the Millennial audience. We suggest, among other actions, that golf should improve its appeal to the entire family