The Effect of Youth Academy Service Quality of Professional Football Clubs on Parental Satisfaction and Club Loyalty : The Moderating Effect of Sports Involvement

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the influence of both core and peripheral service quality in youth academies of professional football clubs on parental satisfaction and club loyalty, as well as the moderating effect of sports involvement.<br/> Method: A survey was conducted by recruiting research participants whose children have attended youth academies at professional football clubs. After excluding insincere responses (n=190), various analyses were performed, including frequency tests, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability tests, correlation analysis, path analysis, and multi-group analyses using structural equation modeling.<br/> Results: The results revealed several key findings. Firstly, both core and peripheral service quality of professional football clubs’ youth academies positively influenced parental satisfaction. Secondly, while peripheral service quality had a positive impact on club loyalty, core service quality did not. Thirdly, parental satisfaction did not significantly affect club loyalty. Finally, parental involvement in sports had a moderating effect, particularly on the relationship between core service quality and parental satisfaction.<br/> Conclusion: This research is expected to be of both academic and practical significance, as it confirms the impact of service quality in youth academies of professional football clubs on parental satisfaction and club loyalty. Additionally, it highlights the moderating effect of sports involvement.