International Journal of Event and Festival Management Current Issue

Festivals as adaptive governance systems: deriving a nano-scale framework for sustainability and crisis management from Thrissur Pooram, India

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

Thrissur Pooram, a renowned temple festival in Kerala, serves as a living laboratory for sustainability, integrating cultural heritage, economic vibrancy and environmental responsibility. This study examines how the festival navigates socio-environmental challenges while preserving its rich traditions, with the objective of developing a contextualized framework for sustainability assessment and crisis management in large scale cultural events.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative case study approach, the research incorporates ethnographic observations, stakeholder interviews and document analysis to explore the interplay between sustainability practices, crisis management and cultural governance.

Findings

A key contribution is the study-derived Nano-Scale Assessment Model (NSAM), which categorizes sustainability dimensions into internal, external, interrelated and extraneous factors to assess festival sustainability holistically. By integrating Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Theory, the study highlights how traditional governance and participatory planning shape sustainability outcomes in high-intensity culturally embedded event settings.

Research limitations/implications

Findings reveal an urgent need for improved crisis management, stakeholder collaboration and structured sustainability interventions to mitigate overcrowding, environmental strain, and economic vulnerabilities. The NSAM framework offers a replicable tool for a sustainability-driven governance mechanism in a similar festival context globally.

Originality/value

The study positions Thrissur Pooram as a replicable model for sustainable festival management, offering policy insights for event organizers, cultural policymakers and sustainability practitioners. It extends SES theory through the introduction of a layered, even specific analytical model, enabling a granular understanding of sustainability transition in a complex socio-cultural system.

Sentiment analysis of the 2024 Paris Olympics using RoBERTa language model

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

This study investigates public views of the Paris 2024 Olympics by analyzing tweets with the aim of elucidating public perceptions and identifying the factors that influence engagement, sentiment, and discourse related to this mega event.

Design/methodology/approach

Two advanced models, ChatGPT and Roberta, were used to compare sentiment analysis on the dataset, which included 30,300 valid tweets. This research analyzed by RoBERTa the trends and fluctuations of the sentiment in engagement, regarding cultural, social, and geopolitical aspects. Sentiment trends were analyzed by country, sport, gender, user engagement, etc.

Findings

91.1% of the tweets were either neutral or positive, showing a generally favorable public opinion. Certain events, such as the basketball semifinals and the javelin finals, received high engagement, while the opening ceremony garnered mixed reactions, underscoring the importance of cultural and social sensitivities in event design. Country-specific analysis showed positive feedback from the USA and India, national pride and athletic success, and negative sentiment from Russia, possibly because of the country’s exclusion from this Olympics. The top three sports with positive reactions were basketball, athletics, and swimming. On the other hand, boxing was criticized for fairness debates. A gender-based sentiment analysis showed positive sentiment toward female athletes in 57% of the tweets. Negative tweets, although lesser in number, received more likes and retweets.

Originality/value

This paper investigates sentiment fluctuations during the Paris 2024 Olympics using advanced language models, exploring the convergence of sports, culture, and public perception to provide actionable insights.

Beyond the stage: exploring the complex motivations driving music festival attendance

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the motivations behind festival attendance and segments attendees into groups based on their preferences. Understanding these motivations enables event organizers to enhance participant experiences and tailor their offerings to meet diverse needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data collected from 531 responses on festival-goers' motivations and preferences, the research begins with a descriptive analysis to gain initial insights, followed by exploratory factor analysis to identify underlying motivational components. A cluster analysis then categorizes attendees into key segments. The analysis of differences among these segments highlights the value of customizing festival experiences to align with each group’s unique priorities.

Findings

This process identifies three main drivers: logistical considerations, social connections and escapism. Then, the analysis reveals key differences among attendee segments. “Socially engaged but logistically unconcerned” attendees prioritize social interaction, while “practical and balanced festival-goers” value both logistics and social engagement. In contrast, “logistically neutral, low social engagement” attendees focus primarily on practicality. Women often prioritize safety and logistics, whereas men emphasize themes and performers. Major motivators include escaping routines and fostering community.

Research limitations/implications

Several limitations should be noted. The study’s sample may not be fully representative of all festival attendees, as motivations can vary widely. Self-reported data may also introduce biases, with respondents possibly misrepresenting their true motivations. The segmentation method, while helpful for broad trends, may oversimplify complex motivations, and focusing solely on three factors may miss other influences, such as environmental concerns or specific performer types. Future research should expand the sample and explore additional motivators to build a more comprehensive understanding of festival attendance behaviors.

Practical implications

This study provides festival organizers with insights to create experiences tailored to three distinct attendee groups. For “socially engaged but logistically unconcerned” attendees, organizers should focus on community-building activities, as these attendees prioritize social aspects over logistical details. “Practical and balanced festival-goers,” who value both practical and social elements, may appreciate streamlined logistics like accessible transportation and cost clarity. Lastly, for “logistically neutral, low social engagement” attendees, practical considerations should be a priority to attract their attendance. Targeted marketing based on these segments can help organizers enhance satisfaction by aligning festival features with each group’s specific preferences.

Social implications

This analysis underscores the role of festivals as spaces for diverse social interaction, especially for the “socially engaged but logistically unconcerned” group, who see festivals as opportunities for social bonding. Festivals, thus, foster community and inclusivity, which can benefit local culture and economies. The digital engagement noted among attendees emphasizes the need for online interaction, which extends the festival experience and contributes to social cohesion. By catering to these motivations, festivals can go beyond entertainment, becoming platforms that reinforce community connections both on-site and online.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing body of research on music festivals by offering a nuanced view of audience motivations through descriptive, factor and cluster analyses. By identifying unique attendee groups, the study reveals motivations that extend beyond demographics, incorporating logistical, social and escapist factors. These insights provide festival organizers with valuable guidance for designing tailored experiences. This approach challenges the one-size-fits-all model, allowing for a more personalized and satisfying festival experience for diverse audiences.

Examining the antecedents and outcomes of event brand equity for music events: an analysis of the importance–performance matrix approach (IPMA)

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

While event attendees’ motivations have been extensively studied, limited research has examined the relationship between motivation factors and event brand equity for special events. This study investigated the antecedents and outcomes of event brand equity for live music events.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive sampling methods and a self-administered survey were used to collect the data. In total, 503 usable samples were further analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the measurement model and the importance–performance matrix approach (IPMA).

Findings

The results revealed that celebrity motivation, unique motivation and family and friend togetherness motivation affect event brand equity. Event brand equity increased the level of advocacy and revisit intentions for concerts in Thailand. Furthermore, the IPMA results proved that unique motivation is of great importance and is more significant than event brand equity. In contrast, excitement motivation is less important but showed slightly higher performance for event brand equity than other motivational factors.

Originality/value

This study offers several theoretical implications by applying the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework and contributing to a deeper understanding of factors influencing event brand equity and subsequent advocacy and revisit intentions within the context of music events.

Exploring the determinants of cultural reinvolvement intentions among festival tourists: insights from fsQCA

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

This study aims to address a gap in the literature regarding the long-term cultural impacts of festivals, exploring how psychological factors influence tourists' intentions for post-festival cultural reinvolvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs cultural worldview, the norm activation model (NAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to construct a model that analyzes the impact of psychological factors on post-festival cultural reinvolvement intentions. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was conducted on data from 451 tourists at the Dujiangyan Water Festival.

Findings

The findings indicate that cultural worldviews, TPB and NAM effectively predict cultural reinvolvement intentions, identifying necessary conditions and providing causal recipes to explain tourists’ willingness to reinvolve. This research offers a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding post-festival cultural benefits and lays the foundation for future studies.

Originality/value

This study uniquely combines the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the norm activation model (NAM) to address cultural sustainability in festival contexts. It also incorporates cultural worldview, providing fresh insights and practical strategies for enhancing tourists’ cultural reinvolvement intentions.

The role of sensory design in creating memorable event experiences

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the influence of sensory design elements upon attendees’ perceptions of events, focusing on all five senses and adopting a multisensory approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilises a qualitative research approach, employing semi-structured photo elicitation interviews. The inclusion of photographs within the interview process aids in memory recall and enables participants to articulate their sensory experiences in greater depth.

Findings

The study highlights the predominance of sight and sound in shaping event experiences. Sound, particularly in concert settings, has a significant effect on mood. Scents, though often processed subconsciously, have the capacity to evoke strong emotional responses and memories. Taste, especially at events focused on food, plays a crucial role, with variety enhancing emotional connections. Touch is the most interactive of the senses. A key overarching finding is the importance of sensory congruence: when sensory elements are harmoniously aligned with the overall event theme, attendees perceive the experience as more authentic and impactful.

Practical implications

The findings provide actionable insights for event planners. By recognising the significant role of sensory design in shaping attendee perceptions, event organisers can create more engaging and memorable experiences.

Originality/value

This paper makes a novel contribution by addressing all five senses in the context of event experiences. It also employs photo elicitation interviews, a relatively underutilised methodology in event research.

Modeling technology-enabled customer experience in running events: a service design approach

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

This study aims to explore how technology-enabled services influence the overall experience of participants in running events by applying a structured service design methodology. Specifically, it examined how recreational runners engage with technology-enabled services throughout the customer journey of a running event, and how the application of the MINDS method contributes to enhancing the runners’ experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty-nine running event participants were interviewed to explore their experiences. The interviews took place in Greece in 2023, across various mass-participation events from marathons to 5K city races. Using the Management and INteraction Design for Service (MINDS) method, qualitative data were thematically analyzed.

Findings

The study identified how recreational runners interact with technology-enabled services across the pre-, during-, and post-event stages. Using the MINDS method, participants’ experiences were mapped to reveal emotional touchpoints, service gaps, and opportunities to enhance the event experience. These findings were translated into service design proposals through the MINDS method, resulting in visual outputs that illustrate how technology-enabled services could be better integrated across the event journey.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to examine running event experiences from the participants’ perspective using a service design methodology. It also contributes to the advancement of the MINDS by introducing customer journey and emotional journey extensions, offering richer insights into how participant experiences can be optimized across the event lifecycle.

Gamification and re-attendance at festivals: a sequential mediation model with flow state and memorable festival experience

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms by which festival gamification influences tourists’ re-attendance intentions through the mediating effect of tourists’ flow state and memorable festival experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The 26th Macau Lusofonia Festival (MLF) was held from October 27 to 29, 2023, and convenience sampling was used to collect the questionnaires. A total of 335 valid questionnaires were collected from tourists who participated in festival gamification at the 26th MLF.

Findings

The research findings indicate that festival gamification influences tourists’ re-attend intention through the sequential mediating effects of flow state and memorable festival experiences.

Practical implications

To improve future festivals, such as the MLF, organizers should focus on the flow state and memorable festival experiences to enhance tourists' re-attend intention through gamification by designing competitive activities with varying levels of difficulty, feedback mechanisms, and thematic storytelling. In addition, loyalty rewards via apps can encourage re-attend.

Originality/value

This study innovatively integrates model of gamification within the framework of self-determination theory (SDT) and cognitive appraisal theory (CAT). It empirically tests the sequential mediating effect of the “gamification → flow state → memory → intention” chain, revealing how gamification facilitates the psychological mechanism by which tourists move from cognitive appraisal process and emotional experiences to behavioral outcomes.