UTM team investigates existing research related to human-ethical questions surrounding mega-events, and proposes new areas for scholarly inquiry
A new academic paper from 2 scholars and an alumnus at UTM sheds light on research gaps regarding the well-being of all types of people associated with mega-events. The study, titled “Human Rights and Mega-Events: A Systematic Literature Review”, was published last October in the Event Management scholarly journal.
Academics Mr. Don Wu Chi Wai and Mr. Alan Cheng Wan Lok, alongside UTM graduate Mr. Michael Tang Zhiqi, sought to perform a systematic review of academic papers in the field of human ethics practices related to mega-events. The aim was to pinpoint potential research gaps. Mr. Tang was an undergraduate student of UTM’s Hotel Management programme when the research was conducted.
The UTM team categorised mega-events as “sizeable” occasions with distinct temporal, spatial, and purposive characteristics that could potentially affect the “civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights of the stakeholders involved”. Examples included the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. The researchers emphasised that human-ethics issues related to mega-events could include freedom of speech, labour rights and worker exploitation, absence of personal safety, rights of sexual minorities, and issues related to poverty.
The study resorted to 3 scholarly database platforms: Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar. The researchers collected and analysed 127 academic articles on ethical issues connected to mega-events. From that analysis, the paper authors drew up a list of 18 research topic recommendations categorised into six groups.
Among the suggested research areas was the pursuit of equal participation for minorities, while also ensuring maintenance of fair competition. The scholars proposed 3 research subjects within this group: how to facilitate the participation of transgender athletes in international competitions, such as the Olympic Games; how to advance the Paralympic Games as a standard for equal access to sports and as a form of support for the ‘Sport for All’ concept; and how to ensure respect for all event participants whatever their religious background or religious norms are.
A second group of suggested research topics involved evaluating the social achievements of mega-events in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Potential researchers were encouraged to focus on the correlation between mega-events and, respectively, a number of SDGs. They included: SDG 3, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”; SDG 11, “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”; and SDG 15, “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.
Democratisation and labour exploitation
The UTM team also addressed the role of mega-events in the political arena, proposing research on: the potential of hosting mega-events to promote democratisation in the destination where these events take place; interpreting reported human rights abuses in ‘Global South’ countries; and how to advance freedom of expression under current mega-event hosting protocols.
The researchers suggested a fourth group of research questions, concerning labour exploitation. Topics included whether labour exploitation linked to mega-events had risen or fallen amid the COVID-19 pandemic; the influence of new regulations on labour rights in the domain of mega-events; and the role of corporate social responsibility in averting labour exploitation.
A fifth proposed research area focused on education. It was suggested that fresh research could investigate how effectively mega-events promote physical education and human rights education; and how such events might contribute to enhancing teaching facilities and the overall learning environment in a particular hosting destination.
Lastly, the UTM team identified the field of law as a potential sixth area for new research related to ethical topics and mega-events. The legal basis for international sports associations to declare neutrality on the separation of politics and sports was one area of scrutiny suggested by the report authors. They also proposed examining potential reforms to the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ensuring legal support for those experiencing human rights violations related to mega-events. Lastly, they suggested evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing reforms in host city contracts for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, with a specific emphasis on the incorporation of explicit human rights obligations into the contracts.
The UTM authors stressed that their systematic literature review not only represented a contribution to academic inquiry, but also carried practical implications. They urged actors in the fields of policy and practice to engage with mega-events stakeholders to mitigate the potential for such gatherings to have adverse effects on people.
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Mr. Michael Tang Zhiqi is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management from UTM in 2022.
Mr. Don Wu Chi Wai is a Lecturer at UTM, holding a master’s degree from City University of Hong Kong. He has had multiple academic papers published in prestigious journals, with a focus on applying artificial intelligence and deep learning in the tourism industry. His research has received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and he serves as an article reviewer for several prominent tourism and hospitality journals.
UTM Instructor Mr. Alan Cheng Wan Lok possesses a master’s degree in accountancy from Charles Sturt University, Australia. Specialising in teaching professional accountancy, his extensive work experience includes roles at Hong Kong Baptist University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Tang Zhiqi, Wu Chi Wai, and Alan Cheng Wan Lok: “Human Rights and Mega-Events: A Systematic Literature Review”, Event Management, Volume 27, Number 6, 2023, pages 851-875
https://doi.org/10.3727/152599523X16836740488031
Editor: Research Corner | A partnership between Macau Business and UTM
