From novice to expert? A panel study of specialization progression and change

Sammanfattning

The recreation specialization concept assumes that over time, participants in an activity move along a continuum of progression from beginner to expert. Past specialization research, however, has made exclusive rise of cross sectional data and never specifically tested this proposition about change in leisure participation. This study used data from two panels of boaters at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: a three-wave panel contacted in 1975, 1985 and 1997, and a two-wave panel contacted in 1985 and 1997. The study analyzed change on seven specialization indicators including boat ownership, frequency of participation on other Great Lakes and oceans, racing, perceived boating skill, interest in boating, and discontinued participation. The results showed that specialization progression was the exception rather than the rule among boaters. Only two of five people showed patterns of change that resembled specialization progression. The majority either sustained low levels of casual participation over time or decreased their participation. These findings indicate that change in leisure participation is more complex than the change represented by specialization progression. These findings also suggest the need for alternative management frameworks for thinking about leisure change

Publicerad i

Journal of Leisure Research
2006, volym: 38, nummer: 4, sidor: 496-512
Utgivare: NATL RECREATION PARK ASSOCIATION

SLU författare

• Heberlein, Thomas

  • Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2006.11950089

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/22628