An Investigation into London Olympics Mega Event Effects on East End

This dissertation investigates the long-term social, political, and economic impacts of the 2012 London Olympics on London's East End. The research explores the background of the event, its rationale, and the research aims and objectives, focusing on the financial, economic, and social transformations. The study examines the conceptual framework, factors affecting mega-events, and their economic, political, and social impacts, supported by a literature review. The methodology section details the research approach, design, strategy, and data collection techniques, including thematic analysis. The findings reveal the lasting effects of the Olympics on the East End, with conclusions and recommendations for future mega-events. The research highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with hosting such events, providing insights into the complex legacy of the London Olympics.

Running head: DISSERTATION
An investigation into the long-term effects of London Olympics mega event on London's East
End
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Acknowledgement
Thank you to all of those who have helped listened and encouraged me throughout this study. I
am indebted to my supervisor ……………………. whose guidance, advice and patience have
been immeasurable. My sincere thanks to all members of the…………… [Mention your
university/college name], both staff and students, whose continuous support have made this
thesis possible.
I would like to thank all of the participants in the study: students, teachers and Local Education
Authorities, for the time and help given throughout. Without their participation, this research
would not have been possible. In this context, I am also thankful to them, whose research work
helped me to execute this paper well.
Finally, I thank my family, without whom this thesis would not have been started or completed!
Your encouragement and support have never faltered; thank you.

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Executive summary
This chapter introduces the long-term social, political and economic impact of mega-events on
the hosting country and the surrounding area. In this chapter, the researcher sheds light on the
background of the research along with the research rationale and purpose. Based on the
background information on the research topic, the researcher develops the research aim and
objectives that help in laying the overall foundation of the project.
The research investigates the financial, economic and social impact of summer London
Olympic 2012. Hosting the Olympic provided an opportunity for London to set benchmark for
the rest of the nation in the world other than allowing a platform for the athletes to compete at
the national level. Being selected to host mega-event is a huge opportunity for the nation or the
country, as this allows the nation to gain global popularity and recognition. The researcher
mentions and discusses the concepts, factors and impacts of the independent and dependent
variables. Because of in-depth discussion and analysis, the chapter provides an opportunity for
the readers to develop a deeper understanding of the research topic. The gathered knowledge and
information helps in the researcher to evaluate the arguments of different researcher critically. In
addition to, the researcher is also able to support own findings with the already existing pieces of
literature, theories and concepts. The chapter also presents a framework that conceptualizes the
entire findings of the chapter that provides a brief overview of the research topic, aims and
objectives.
This research includes the different kinds of research methodologies that can be used for carrying
out and proceeding with the research. It is essential for the researcher to analyze the various
methodological tools and select the most appropriate research methodology based on the

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research aim and objectives and completing the work successfully. The chapter also consists of
suitable justifications for using particular methodological tools along with the research ethics and
limitations encountered by the researcher. The researcher analyses the different themes that have
been developed based on the research topic. This provides an opportunity for the researcher to
distinctive themes by considering the research aim and objectives and evaluates the long term
impact of hosting mega-events on the country or the nation. From the findings, it can be
concluded that mega-events does have long-term social, economic and political event on the
hosting nation or the country. Thus, it can be said that summer London Olympics 2012 had long-
term economic, social and political impact on London’s East End. The above information shows
that London’s East End was a place with political, economic and social instability. Over
crowdedness, political conflicts and aloof people of the society were the major problems. As a
result, London’s East End was considered a troublesome place due to the above-mentioned
conflicts. The above analysis suggests that after being selected as the venue of hosting summer
London Olympics 2012, the economic, political and social scenario of the place developed
drastically.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................8
1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................8
1.1 Background of the research...................................................................................................8
1.2 Problem statement.................................................................................................................9
1.3 Background of the event......................................................................................................10
1.4 Research rationale................................................................................................................11
1.5 Research aim........................................................................................................................12
1.6 Research objectives.............................................................................................................12
1.7 Research questions...............................................................................................................13
1.8 Purpose of the research........................................................................................................13
1.9 Structure of the research......................................................................................................14
1.10 Summary............................................................................................................................15
Chapter 2: Literature review..........................................................................................................16
2.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................16
2.1 Conceptual framework.........................................................................................................16
2.2 Concept of events and mega events.....................................................................................17
2.3 Factors affecting mega events.............................................................................................18
2.4 Economic impact of organizing mega events......................................................................19

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2.5 Political impact of organizing mega events.........................................................................21
2.6 Social impact of organizing mega events............................................................................22
2.7 Opportunities for organizing mega events...........................................................................23
2.8 Challenges of organizing mega events................................................................................24
2.9 Summary..............................................................................................................................26
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................28
3.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................28
3.1 Research outline...................................................................................................................28
3.2 Research onion.....................................................................................................................28
3.3 Research philosophy............................................................................................................29
3.3.1 Explaining the use of interpretivism philosophy..............................................................29
3.4 Research approach...............................................................................................................30
3.4.1 Explaining the use of the deductive approach..................................................................30
3.5 Research design...................................................................................................................30
3.5.1 Explaining the use of descriptive design..........................................................................31
3.6 Research strategy.................................................................................................................31
3.6.1 Explaining the use of case study research strategy...........................................................31
3.7 Data Collection technique....................................................................................................31
3.7.1 Explaining the use of secondary data collection technique..............................................32
3.8 Data analysis technique.......................................................................................................32

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3.8.1 Explaining the use of thematic analysis............................................................................32
3.9 Ethical considerations..........................................................................................................32
3.10 Research limitations...........................................................................................................33
3.11 Summary............................................................................................................................33
Chapter 4: Data analysis and findings...........................................................................................34
4.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................34
4.1 Thematic analysis................................................................................................................34
4.2 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................42
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendations...............................................................................43
5.0 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................43
5.1 Linking with objectives.......................................................................................................44
5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................46
References......................................................................................................................................47

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List of Figures
Figure 1: Conceptual Framework..................................................................................................17
Figure 2: Research Onion..............................................................................................................29
Figure 3: Estimated cost of Olympics over the years....................................................................41
Figure 4: Efficient London road network operations with flexible ORN......................................43
Figure 5: Olympic venues and venue clusters connected to ORN with Olympic lanes................44

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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Introduction
This chapter introduces the long-term social, political and economic impact of mega-events
on the hosting country and the surrounding area. In this chapter, the researcher sheds light on the
background of the research along with the research rationale and purpose. Based on the
background information on the research topic, the researcher develops the research aim and
objectives that help in laying the overall foundation of the project.
The research investigates the financial, economic and social impact of summer London
Olympic 2012. Hosting the Olympic provided an opportunity for London to set benchmark for
the rest of the nation in the world other than allowing a platform for the athletes to compete at
the national level. Being selected to host mega-event is a huge opportunity for the nation or the
country, as this allows the nation to gain global popularity and recognition. The global
recognition helps in raising the profile of the country thereby, gaining political, economic and
social benefits. These social, economic and political impacts have both short-term and long-term
effects on the hosting nation or the country. In addition to, this research sheds light on both
positive and negative economic, political and social impact of summer London Olympic 2012 at
London’s East End.
1.1 Background of the research
London hosted the mega Olympic event in 2012 for the third time. As London was selected
to host the mega event, the East end of the country encountered changes socially, economically
and politically. This is because in order to host a mega event as Olympics the country has
prepared them thereby, justifying their suitability to host the event. As Olympics attract a large

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number of people around the world, the country has to indulge huge financial resources and
adequate people for entertaining the tourists and the players (Timesofindia.indiatimes.com
2018).
The summer London Olympics 2012 was the third time that the nation was hosting the
sport mega-event. Hosting the sports mega-event provided an opportunity to increase the
political and socio-economic boom for the country. Though London is a widely recognized
nation at an international platform, hosting Olympics for the third time increased the profile of
the company. The research analyzes the social, political and economic impact of hosting summer
London Olympic 2012 at London’s east End. The analysis of the social, political and economic
impact provided an opportunity to compare and contrast the past and present conditions of the
above three parameters in respect to London’s East end. The analysis also provides an
opportunity for the researcher to determine whether the country has been left under severe
financial or economic debts post hosting the summer London Olympic. In addition to, the
investigating the political and social affect of summer London Olympic also helped in comparing
and contrasting the past and present scenario of the nation.
1.2 Problem statement
Hosting a mega event highlights different problems, as the government has to undertake
actions in order to make the event successful. Hosting mega event has long-term social,
economic and political impact on the country and its surrounding area. The country encounters
issues in terms of lack of adequate funds, lack of human resources and mismanagement. Thus,
tiny mistakes lead to long-term social, economic and political impact on the country (Kaplanidou
et al. 2013).

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It has been seen that hosting and organizing sports mega-event puts the hosting nation or
the country into huge financial debts. Reports suggest that the past three cities that have hosted
Olympic events have been under huge financial debts. As a result, the cities have been unable to
fulfill their dreams. Thus, the financial factor is a major problem that needs analysis by
considering both short-term and long-term impacts. This is because the host nation has to bid for
hosting the Olympic Games. The bidding process is itself a marathon, as the cities around the
world bids to host the sports mega-event. The bidding process is largely dependent on the
financial and economic condition of the nation or the country as well as their present
infrastructure and development. The economic constraint thereby, affects both political and
social factors of hosting sports mega-events such as Olympics.
1.3 Background of the event
Olympic is one of the mega events that is hosted throughout the world in different
countries. This mega event features the leading international sporting events that facilitate the
participation of thousands of athletes around the world. It is considered the world's foremost
sports competition with more than 200 nations participating in the competition. The Olympic
Games are hosted every four years with both winter and summer games. The Olympic games
now have different forms such as Paralympics Games, Youth Olympic Games and Special
Olympic Games (MacAloon 2013).
The summer London Olympics 2012 was hosted in Olympic park in East London that
hosts several other sports venue. More than 175,000 spectators each day visited London’s East
End to enjoy the Olympic Games thereby, making it the focus of the Olympic activity. The
Olympic village was within the walking distance for all the venues in the Park that improved the
experience of the athletes and the officials. The summer London Olympics also hosted other

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prestigious venues in London including Wembley Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground and Horse
Guards Parade for beach volleyball. A four-year-old cultural Olympiad was included in the
summer London Olympics in 2012. The opening ceremony of summer London Olympics 2012
was hosted on 27 July 2012 thereby, commencing the 60 days sports mega-event across the UK.
The hosting of summer London Olympics 2012 highlighted the nation’s increasing support for
sports and athletes (Timesofindia.indiatimes.com 2018).
1.4 Research rationale
What is the issue?
The mega-events have the long-term impact on the country and the surrounding
environment that is caused due to lack of management of the resources appropriately. As a result,
the country and the surrounding are unable to overcome the issues that have the long-term
impact (Muller 2015). The issues of hosting mega-events include cost overruns, the future of
sporting venues, and transformation of Olympic housing to public housing, security issues,
infrastructure improvement, marketing merchandise and impacts of tourism. All these factors
highlight the social, economic and political issues faced by the nation or the country hosting
sports mega-events such as Olympic.
Why is it an issue?
It is an issue because the government encounters problems socially, economically and
politically. As a result, the financial and social environment of the surrounding environment is
hampered (Taks, Chalip and Green 2015). The social, economic and political issues are
considered as issues because these factors determine the standard and profile of the country at a