The variables that explain loyalty in non-profit karate organisations

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Despite society’s growing interest in sports, the total membership of federations is the same as ten years ago. This study aims is knowledge about the principal factors that influence the “loyalty” of Spanish karate federation members. Material and Methods: From a population of 72,910 members of karate federations a sample of 629 individuals was obtained, with a sampling error of 3.97 a confidence level of 95.5% and p = 0.5; q = 0.5. The data obtained were collected from 11 of Spain’s 19 regional federations (71% are men and 29% women, all of them members of karate federations). The largest group is aged between 45 and 64, a majority of whom have been members for more than 20 years. Part I: literature review. This work makes an in-depth exploratory of over one hundred relevant. Part II: original research). A correlational study based on a survey of sportsmen who are members of Spanish karate fed erations included the variables that can influence the fidelity of the karate federation. Each of the indicators has followed a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Results: All loyalty indicators show an average above 4.10, although with a high standard deviation. All loyalty items are directly related (at a significance level of p<0.01) with all indicators of other empirical variables (perceived quality, commitment, trust, satisfaction and happiness). Conclusions: One of the novelties of this study is the consideration of happiness as a strategic variable. This study shows that it is not enough to just be a member of a federation, since members need to be happy and feel satisfied with the federation if their loyalty is to be maintained and improved and even result in recommendations to potential sportsmen and women. Another of the innovations in this paper is its field of study, namely loyalty in sports governing bodies.