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The exclusiveness of group identity in celebrations of team success

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  • Elizabeth B. Delia

Abstract

•Scholars have not examined the influence of multiple group identities in BIRGing.•Fans BIRG and blast for an enhanced sense of inclusiveness and distinctiveness.•Fans possess multiple, ordinarily inclusive group identities.•Identities converge into an exclusive identity structure for games against rivals.Basking in reflected glory (BIRGing) describes individuals’ tendency to publicly affiliate themselves with successful others. Within sport, scholars have provided foundational knowledge pertaining to BIRGing; however, they have not deeply engaged with sport fans to understand the influence of multiple group identities in celebrating team success. Using social identity theory and social identity complexity as theoretical frameworks in the current study, I conduct qualitative research with sport fans to understand how multiple group identities influence fan behaviours in response to team performance. I discover that fans (1) BIRG and blast for an enhanced sense of inclusiveness and distinctiveness, and (2) possess multiple, ordinarily inclusive group identities, which converge into a highly exclusive social identity structure immediately before, during, and after games against rivals. I conclude by discussing the potential theoretical and managerial implications regarding multiple group identities in sport contexts, as well as directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth B. Delia, 2015. "The exclusiveness of group identity in celebrations of team success," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 396-406, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rsmrxx:v:18:y:2015:i:3:p:396-406
    DOI: 10.1016/j.smr.2014.10.006
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    Cited by:

    1. Agha, Nola & Tyler, B. David, 2017. "An investigation of highly identified fans who bet against their favorite teams," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 296-308.
    2. Lock, Daniel J. & Funk, Daniel C., 2016. "The Multiple In-group Identity Framework," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 85-96.
    3. Westberg, Kate & Stavros, Constantino & Farrelly, Francis & Smith, Aaron C.T., 2020. "Fan empathy as a response to athlete transgressions," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 719-735.
    4. Jang, Wonseok (Eric) & Wann, Daniel L. & Ko, Yong Jae, 2018. "Influence of team identification, game outcome, and game process on sport consumers’ happiness," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 63-71.
    5. Wegner, Christine E. & Delia, Elizabeth B. & Baker, Bradley J., 2020. "Fan response to the identity threat of potential team relocation," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 215-228.
    6. Delia, Elizabeth B., 2017. "March sadness: Coping with fan identity threat," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 408-421.

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