For Anglia's Research Student Conference in June, 2013 - I constructed a Research Poster for public engagement to other PhDs within the University.

1. email: michael.duignan@anglia.ac.ukMichael Duignan
Lord Ashcroft International Business School
Understanding ‘Olympic Legacy’ through a local small business lens; the case of London 2012
Since its revival; agenda’s, ambitions and expectations for what the
Games can do for us, and our global society has exponentially
grown. However both opportunities and risks exist for those cities
who wish to bid, and subsequently win the Games
In order to justify billions (£) of [public and private] spending required
to host the Games (i.e. fund infrastructure development and
security); positive long-term benefits (aka ‘Olympic Legacy’) should be
realised, and achieved. This is an essential part of Olympic planning
and discourse
‘Olympic Legacy’ can be understood in various ways; however the two
key areas are: ‘economic’ and ‘social’ longer term impacts. There must
be economic (short and long-term return); and social [urban]
enhancement (operationalised through urban planning, regeneration
and renewal activities)
The Barcelona 1992 Games form the benchmark in how cities can use the
Games as a force for good. To develop key local areas, through urban
planning; regeneration and renewal initiatives, inspired by the Games
This was a key strategy for London 2012 (and now Rio 2016). To turn London’s
East End, from one of the UK’s most socio-economically deprived areas, to an
attractive place to live, work and play (DCMS, 2008).
“The London 2012 Olympics, is an
opportunity that will underpin the next
50 years of East London’s future”
(Livingstone, 2008)
Research Strategy -
Case study analysis of London
2012; based on the small
proximity of local businesses
situated around the London
2012 Olympic Park area
Primary -Interviews,
focus groups and
questionnaires with local
council officials, local
borough business
associations and local
businesses themselves
Secondary - Cross-
comparative case
study analysis and
research reports
Policy makers better understand
the dimensions that contribute
towards increase small local
business performance.
Particularly specific initiatives; at
the local level
Small businesses better know
how to leverage potential Games
opportunities themselves
Local and domestic economies
benefit from increased local
spending, and collaboration
with local business
Research
Objectives
Introduction
Problems and
controversies
Methods
Potential
Impact
Research
Objective 4
Research
Objective 3
Research
Objective 2
Research
Objective 1
Identify post-Games year 1 and year 2
impact of the Games on local small
business clusters / environment
around the specific core event zones –
what’s changed? For good, for bad?
During the Games; can we
identify key initiatives taken
by small local businesses
themselves, that determined
successful Vs non-successful
business competitiveness
and performance
Pre, during and
post-Games; which
local policy decisions
worked Vs those that
did not in helping
local small business
clusters around core
event zones achieve
a positive Olympic
legacy
From the perspective of small local business
clusters around core event zones - what do
they believe to be the key elements that
contribute towards achieving a positive
long-term Olympic Legacy for them?
But who’s opportunity it is? What
happens to the local [business]
communities that already exist around
the Olympic Park and other core event
zones? How will they be impacted –
for good or for worse?
Controversy surrounding both the
Games as a force for good; and the
risks it presents for local communities
close to ‘core event zones’ (e.g.
Olympic Parks) is a growing academic
and practitioner concern
‘Tabula Rasa’ – businesses are
displaced to make way for the
necessary Games infrastructure
Given the international image of the
Games, and pressured deadlines for
completion – there is limited community
consultation with local business
Gentrification [increasing house prices
and rents] force lower income businesses
out and reduces competitiveness
Supervisory team: Dr Ilaria Pappalepore, Prof Chris Ivory and Dr Chris Wilbert Follow my research on: Twitter: @michaelbduignan Blog: OlympicResearcher.wordpress.com
Research Underground Map
Research
Objectives Line
Impact Line
Introduction Line
Problems and
controversies Line
Methods Line
Central Structure Line