16 Ethnic sorting in football of the Dutch population and what factors best explain differences in participation between ethnic groups?’ In chapter 3, the analysis shifts from the composition of the total member population to that of the clubs which individuals are members of. It is unlikely that clubs form a perfect reflection of the total membership population, which will directly limit the opportunities for ethnic mixing. Hence, in this chapter I further explore the ethnic compositions of Dutch amateur football clubs and the degree in which ethnic groups are segregated from one another by posing the following research question: ‘To what extent and in what way are ethnic groups within the Netherlands unequally distributed over amateur football clubs?’ In chapter 4, I delve deeper into the question of whether or not the membership of individuals is in fact dependent on the ethnic composition of amateur football clubs. While citizens may or may not sort themselves unequally over amateur football clubs, the ethnic composition could also affect the membership experience and members’ willingness to prolong their membership at a club. If so, difference and changes in ethnic compositions of clubs may have important consequences for clubs’ sustainability over time, while also shedding new light on ethnic differences in membership rates. This is explored using the following research question: ‘To what extent does the ethnic heterogeneity of amateur football clubs affect member dropout?’ In chapter 5, the last empirical chapter of this dissertation, I look at the flow of members between clubs. It is questioned whether or not ethnic compositions of clubs play a role when members change clubs and by extension, whether or not clubs compete with one another based on the ethnic background of their members. For this purpose, I used the following research question: ‘To what extent are transfers of members between clubs related to differences between clubs’ ethnic compositions?’ This dissertation ends with a concluding chapter in which I summarize the main findings of the study, discuss its theoretical and social implications, mark several methodological strengths and weaknesses of my research and highlight avenues for further research.
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