Implications and impacts of terrorism on sporting events: Is the hospitality industry prepared and equipped to host mega events? A thesis submitted to: Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in International Hospitality Management Cyril Ravindran Peter 2011 Primary Supervisor: Dr Jill Poulston Secondary Supervisor: Erwin Losekoot Table of Contents Attestation of Authorship ..................................................................................... vi Acknowledgement................................................................................................ vii Confidential material ........................................................................................... viii Abstract .................................................................................................................. ix 1. Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................... 1 1.1. Terrorism ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Research topic ............................................................................................. 2 1.3. Purpose and parameters of the research..................................................... 2 1.4. Rugby World Cup (RWC)............................................................................. 3 1.5. Overview of the thesis ................................................................................. 4 2. Chapter Two: Literature Review ...................................................................... 6 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 6 2.2. Overview ...................................................................................................... 7 2.3. Hospitality and terrorism .............................................................................. 8 2.3.1. Discussion ........................................................................................ 13 2.4. Sport and sporting events .......................................................................... 18 2.4.1. Benefits of sporting events ............................................................... 19 2.4.2. Sporting events, politics and terrorism .............................................. 21 2.4.3. Discussion ........................................................................................ 22 2.5. Modes of attacks ........................................................................................ 23 2.5.1. Suicide bombing ............................................................................... 25 2.5.2. Kidnappings and hostage takings ..................................................... 27 2.5.3. Food terrorism .................................................................................. 28 2.5.4. Discussion ........................................................................................ 29 2.6. Safety and security concerns ..................................................................... 29 2.6.1. Participants ....................................................................................... 31 2.6.2. Spectators ........................................................................................ 32 2.6.3. Discussion ........................................................................................ 33 2.7. Rugby World Cup (RWC) security ............................................................. 34 2.7.1. Discussion ........................................................................................ 35 2.8. Political ideology ........................................................................................ 36 2.8.1. Discussion ........................................................................................ 37 2.9. Risk sensitivity ........................................................................................... 37 2.9.1. Discussion ........................................................................................ 40 2.10. Conclusion ................................................................................................. 41 3. Chapter Three: Methodology ......................................................................... 44 3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 44 ii 3.2. Qualitative research method ...................................................................... 45 3.3. Interpretivism ............................................................................................. 47 3.4. Research question ..................................................................................... 48 3.5. Participant selection and recruitment ......................................................... 49 3.6. Three different interview methods .............................................................. 50 3.6.1. Structured interviews ........................................................................ 50 3.6.2. Unstructured interviews .................................................................... 50 3.6.3. Semi-structured interviews ............................................................... 51 3.7. Ethics approval .......................................................................................... 51 3.7.1. Purpose ............................................................................................ 52 3.7.2. Process............................................................................................. 52 3.8. Data collection, analysis, management and storage .................................. 53 3.8.1. Data collection .................................................................................. 53 3.8.2. Data analysis .................................................................................... 55 3.8.3. Data Management ............................................................................ 56 3.8.4. Data storage ..................................................................................... 56 3.9. Conclusion ................................................................................................. 57 4. Chapter Four: Findings .................................................................................. 58 4.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 58 4.2. Data collection process .............................................................................. 59 4.3. Limitations .................................................................................................. 59 4.4. Significant observations ............................................................................. 60 4.5. Research data ........................................................................................... 60 4.6. Themes ...................................................................................................... 79 4.6.1. Political ideology and awareness of international politics ................. 80 4.6.2. ‘She’ll be right’ attitude. .................................................................... 80 4.6.3. Vetting of staff and suppliers ............................................................ 82 4.6.4. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) food guidelines .............. 82 4.6.5. Who is responsible for security? ....................................................... 83 4.7. Conclusion ................................................................................................. 83 5. Chapter Five: Discussion ............................................................................... 85 5.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 85 5.2. Political ideology and awareness of international politics .......................... 86 5.3. ‘She’ll be right’ attitude. .............................................................................. 88 5.4. Vetting of staff and suppliers ...................................................................... 93 5.5. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) food guidelines ....................... 96 5.6. Who is responsible for security? .............................................................. 100 5.7. Conclusion ............................................................................................... 103 iii 5.7.1. Key theme – laissez-faire ............................................................... 104 6. Chapter Six: Conclusion and Recommendation ........................................ 106 6.1. Terrorism ................................................................................................. 106 6.2. State of preparedness ............................................................................. 106 6.2.1. Security vetting process ................................................................. 106 6.2.2. Laissez-faire attitude towards security ............................................ 107 6.3. Important lessons .................................................................................... 107 6.3.1. Management implications ............................................................... 108 6.4. Recommendation ..................................................................................... 108 References .........................................................................................................