An Empirical Investigation into Crowd Operations at Sports Events: A Behavioural Operations Perspective

From the literature analysis a conceptual model was created with a new definition of crowd science, followed by a definition of crowd operations. The empirical findings evidenced what context and crowd flow truly means, as they are more complex than the literature suggests. The cases were cross-examined highlighting the similarities and differences across context and flow.

Further analysis evidenced what crowd methods organisers use, and the determinants that inform the chosen crowd methods. The discussion presents a robust theory of crowd operations, highlighting the rules of crowd operations developed.</p><p dir="ltr">Finally, the thesis concludes with answering the research question with; the flow of the crowd at sports events can be managed as effectively and efficiently as possible through understanding the elements of context, flow and crowd methods, and by using the 6+ determinants to inform what crowd methods to use.

Five future recommendations are given including the recommendation to examine the other types of flow not explored in this research; Emergency and Erratic. Also, to test the generalisability of some of the frameworks in other crowded situations, such as religious pilgrimages, music festivals, or crowded public places.</p>