Author(s): ZAWADZKI, K., Institution: GDANSK UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 364

Introduction
While there has been a rise in studies recently that discuss innovation research in the sports industry (Ratten 2019; Corthouts et al. 2020), there are still few studies on technological advancements in relation to sports facilities (Skinner, Smith, and Swanson 2018). Thus, the primary goal of the study that is being presented is to give a social valuation of the technological innovations used at four Polish stadiums hosting Euro 2012.
Methods
Using the contingent valuation method (CVM), the study was carried out in Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw, and Wroclaw, four Polish cities that hosted sports venues for the 2012 European Championship. 1,200 people in total took part in the survey. Regression analysis was used to determine whether the study can be regarded as reliable in this regard and whether the residents willingness-to-pay (WTP) level depends on the adopted variables related to the access to fast wireless internet, the installation of solar panels and the utilization of drones among other technological improvements.
Results
Nearly PLN (polish zloty) 70 million is the estimated value of the technological advancements for all four sporting venues. The total value indicating support for the Warsaw stadiums adoption of technological innovations is more than 40% greater than the PLN 30 million annual stadium maintenance costs. Surprisingly, this amount demonstrates how much local communities value having sports facilities in their cities and how eager they are for assisting in the process of modernizing these facilities technologically. In the other three cities, the aggregate valuation of social benefits is significantly lower and fluctuates around PLN 9 million. But in light of the yearly maintenance costs, the obtained amounts should still be regarded as high. When taken into account in the financial statement, all of the Polish stadiums participating in Euro 2012 turn a profit because the aggregate valuation in each case surpasses 40% of the stadiums annual maintenance costs.
Discussion
Studies conducted in Polands stadiums during Euro 2012 have demonstrated the significance of technological advancements. It has been established, therefore, that the local communitys opinion of technological advancements may be taken into consideration when evaluating whether or not to use public funds to finance large sports facilities.
References
Corthouts, J., E. Thibaut, C. Breuer, S. Feiler, M. James, R. Llopis-Goig, S. Perényi, and J. Scheerder. 2020. “Social Inclusion in Sports Clubs Across Europe: Determinants of Social Innovation.” Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research 33 (1): 21–51.
Ratten, V. 2019. Sports Technology and Innovation. Assessing Cultural and Social Factors. Palgrave Macmillan.
Skinner, J., A. C. T. Smith, and S. Swanson. 2018. Fostering Innovative Cultures in Sport. Leadership, Innovation and Change. Palgrave Macmillan.