AN Explorative study on human legacy at Beijing Olympics

Abstract

This study proposes the introduction of a nation-wide policy framework at Higher Education Institution (HEI) and at the workplace that aims to integrate non-formal, informal and formal learnings and to promote life-long learning. The research takes on a heuristic approach to provide insights to the human legacy, in terms of employability at Beijing Olympics. The interpretive research paradigm supports the exploration in depth of each respondent’s (being a Chinese) personal experiences and thoughts about their personal gains (human and social capital) at Beijing Olympics. A total of 11 semi-structured questionnaires, 7 phone interviews and 1 personal response from staff at BWOCOG 2022 were collected and analysed using thematic analysis. Specifically, the paper presents a diagrammatic overview of employability using the demand and supply side of labour; the supply of labour depends on the “competency cube” where each human resource is affected by the three (3) types of learning that can primarily occur at HEI or workplace, while the demand depends on the domestic and international market outlook. This paper offers practical approaches for potential host nations to enhance and sustain human legacy, and valuable insights for individuals, who are keen to embark on a career in the mega-sports event industry.