The Impact of Cultural Values on Sporting Excellence: A Study of Nations Worldwide

This article examines the impact of Hofstede's cultural indicators on national performance in elite sports, using a sample of 112 countries from all continents with valid data. The methodology includes cross-sectional OLS regressions with White's correction for heteroscedasticity and hierarchical clustering through Ward linkage. The study controls for GDP per capita and income inequality (GINI index), finding that only GDP per capita is statistically significant. Key cultural indicators that significantly influence sports performance include Individualism, Motivation towards Achievement and Success, and Long Term Orientation. The hierarchical clustering analysis identifies four behavioral patterns of countries based on sports performance, economic development, and relevant cultural indicators. These findings suggest that while economic factors play an important role, cultural dimensions also significantly shape a nation's success in international sports. The article contributes to the understanding of how cultural values influence sports outcomes, providing insights that can inform policies and strategies to enhance national sports performance. This research highlights the importance of considering both economic and cultural factors when analyzing the determinants of sports success across different nations. This study is important because it shows how cultural values, alongside economic factors, significantly impact national sports performance, providing valuable insights for improving sports policies and strategies.