Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sport management'

Författare:

Lars Jennfors

Titel:

Sport Managers, Vad gör de? - En studie kring de arbetsuppgifter som innehas och de kvalifikationer som krävs för att arbeta som sport manager

Innehåll:

Sport Management är ett förhållandevis outforskat område i Sverige. Därmed är det inte alldeles självklart vilka personer som har ett arbete som kan kallas sport manager. Definitionerna som därmed blir av central roll i studien är idrottssektorn, idrottsorganisationer och sport manager. Att ta del av dessa definitioner är viktigt för att kunna ta till sig av det resultat som framkommit.

Syftet med undersökningen är att ta reda på vilka kvalifikationer som krävs på idrottens arbetsmarknad inom yrket sport manager, samt vad en sport manager har för arbetsuppgifter. Detta utforskas genom två skilda men samtidigt kompletterande delstudier.

Detta leder till följande två frågeställningar:

• Vilka kvalifikationer efterfrågas hos den jobbsökande och vilka arbetsuppgifter anger idrottsorganisationerna att den jobbsökande kommer att få i sin managertjänst?

• Vilka arbetsuppgifter och kvalifikationer krävs i det vardagliga arbetet för de personer som har managertjänster inom idrottssektorn?

I delstudie ett har 25 jobbannonser undersökts för att ta reda på vad idrottsorganisationer betonar gällande arbetsuppgifter och kvalifikationer. I delstudie två har intervjuer gjorts med tio sport managers för att få deras bild av vilka arbetsuppgifter man har och vilka kvalifikationer som behövs.

Resultatet från delstudie ett visar att man som sport manager framförallt jobbar med/behöver kvalifikationer inom följande femton områden: planering och organisering, leda, erfarenhet, kunskap kring idrottssektorn, ansvar, personalhantering, ekonomi, utbildning, utveckla, projekt, intresse/engagemang, samarbetsförmåga, kontakter externt, initiativrik och kunna kommunicera.

Resultatet från delstudie två visar att man som sport manager framförallt jobbar med/behöver kvalifikationer inom följande tio områden: ekonomi, personalhantering, externa kontakter, projekt, utveckling, överblick över alla delar, leda, kunskap kring idrottssektorn, utbildning och erfarenhet.

Ingenting från de två studierna motsäger varandra. Båda studierna visar att som sport managers anses det viktigare att ha kunskap kring idrottssektorn än att ha en formell akademisk utbildning. Samtidigt framhävs just generalistkunskapen för sport managers, dock i olika stor omfattning beroende på vilken chefsposition som besitts. Vissa sport managers kan dessutom behöva specifik kunskap inom något område.

The research seeks to investigate processes and structures presently in Khayelitsha so as to ascertain whether they are operating, in such a manner that sporting people and government can rely on them to strike the balance needed, to reach a scenario where all the citizens of the country are afforded equal opportunities in sport. The White Paper (Revised: 2007) mentions the establishment of the Strategic, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate to ensure focus remains on track with the latest development in sporting fraternity and that this is aligned with government priorities. However better resources are still handed out to advantaged communities. South African society has achieved somewhat miraculously, a stable democracy since the elections of 1994, but this new democracy has to realize that liberation comes with an added burden of responsibility. Hence communities and especially previously disadvantaged communities, need to even work harder to ensure social and an acceptable degree of economic transformation. The culture of entitlement needs to be discouraged in black townships. The Constitution, Provincial and Local policies allow for efficient sport management as sport is critical for development to take place. Sport is the most important vehicle to deepen democracy and bring about genuine transformation in society, forging unity of purpose at grassroots level so as to achieve same purpose and direction. Khayelitsha (as most of the black townships) has been hit by a wave of crime, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and gangsterism caused by the inactivity of youth. Sport can act as a catalyst to minimise tensions and maximise peace and harmony. This research focused on the efficacy of sport management processes and structures in Khayelitsha. It examined issues of provisioning, accessibility and maintenance of sport facilities in order to guarantee mass participation and infinite activism in sport.

There has recently been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of corruption in international sport. As such, a growing number of sponsors have taken remedial action in order to protect the reputation of their brand. This study has been designed to analyse how sponsors respond to the threat of corruption in sport and to identify the contextual factors that influence such a response. Maennig (2005) identified two forms of corruption – ‘management corruption’ and ‘competition corruption’. It is the latter, defined by Gorse & Chadwick (2010) as “any illegal, immoral or unethical activity that attempts to deliberately distort the outcome of a sporting contest (or an element within the contest) for the personal material gain of one or more parties involved in the activity” that provides a focus and context for this study and includes such behaviour as doping, tanking, match fixing and spot fixing. In order to identify how sponsors respond both to the threat of being associated with a property affected by this type of behaviour, also referred to as sporting transgression in this study, and to analyse instances of actual corruption, a four-stage research methodology has been employed. A database of cases of sporting transgression was created to provide contextual background and further rationale for the focus of this study; a series of preliminary interviews were conducted with professionals in and around the sponsorship industry to highlight the potential implications of corruption for sponsors; and a number of case studies were developed, recognising the key stakeholders in sponsorship management. A series of in-depth semi-structured interviews were then conducted with multiple stakeholders in the sport industry - sponsors, legal professionals with expertise in sponsorship and commercial managers in governing bodies of sport. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using grounded theory coding techniques, allowing for key themes to emerge and responses to corruption in sport discussed. Analysis of the interview data indicates that sponsors adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach when dealing with the potential impact of corruption, relying on a number of factors to decide upon remedial courses of action. These factors have been conceptualised and a Sponsor Response to Sporting Transgression, or SRST, Model is proposed.

Molecular genetic markers can be used to assess genetic diversity, assign parentage, quantify inbreeding, and demonstrate structuring of populations across a system. Striped Bass Morone saxatilis, and Walleye Sander vitreus, are widely sought gamefishes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Striped Bass along the Atlantic Coast and within the Roanoke River drainage exhibit low genetic variation. Screening 12 microsatellite DNA markers across the range to define population genetic structure, I found that anadromous populations in the Southeast and the Chesapeake Bay were differentiated from landlocked populations in the Roanoke River basin, with an average FST of 0.066. Range-wide, Striped Bass are differentiated between the landlocked and anadromous populations, which need to be managed separately. Within stocked populations in the Roanoke River basin, there have been impacts stemming from small numbers of broodstock propagated, and inter-individual relatedness is ~20% within stocked reservoirs. Walleye across the eastern native range were screened to better understand evolutionary history and to identify native marker alleles for the upper New River population. Population genetic variation at eight microsatellite loci showed differentiated stocks in Alabama, Mississippi River, Eastern Highlands (Tennessee, New, and Ohio Rivers), and the Great Lakes drainages. All estimates of effective numbers of breeding individuals were under 25, and all populations within all watersheds had ~15-20% inter-individual relatedness, likely effects of both natural demographic processes and stocking. The extent of Eastern Highlands Walleye includes both the Ohio and Tennessee basins. Although I did not identify new marker alleles for native New River Walleye, I determined that marker-assisted selection has increased the frequencies of existing marker alleles for the native stock. Application of the results of this project will contribute to better fisheries management for both of these important species.
Master of Science
Population genetics have proven useful for defining the most appropriate units for conservational management across a variety of species. Molecular genetic markers can be used to assess genetic diversity, assign parentage, quantify inbreeding, and demonstrate structuring of populations across a system. Striped Bass Morone saxatilis and Walleye Sander vitreus are both widely sought gamefishes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I applied population genetic approaches to recognize genetically distinct groups of populations and to recommend genetically cognizant management practices. Striped Bass across the Atlantic Coast and in the Roanoke River drainage exhibit low genetic variation. After screening variation at 12 DNA markers, I found that Striped Bass are differentiated between landlocked and migratory populations, which need to be managed separately. Within stocked populations in the Roanoke River basin, there have been impacts stemming from propagation of small numbers of broodstock, and propagation and stocking practices will need to be changed to reduce apparent inbreeding depression. Walleye populations across the eastern native range were screened to better understand evolutionary history and to seek new marker alleles for the native upper New River population. After screening genetic variation at eight DNA marker loci, I identified four evolutionarily distinct stocks of Walleye across eastern North America. Although I did not identify new marker alleles for native upper New River native Walleye, I showed that marker-assisted selection has increased the frequencies of existing marker alleles over the past twenty years. The results of this project can contribute to better fishery management strategies for both of these important gamefish species.

Tourism and Sport
D.B.A.
Esports, or competitive video gaming competitions, have grown in popularity to have millions of global fans, spectators, and participants. Sport organizations, including leagues and teams, are increasingly affiliating, or dovetailing, with esports organizations. Although the meteoric rise of esports presents sport organizations with growth opportunities to connect with these markets, esports remain shrouded in uncertainty, stigma, and stereotypes that impede the convergence of industries. The growing affiliation between these two industries allows researchers to gain insight into the strategic actions of sport organizations despite the institutional constraints that influence their behavior. This dissertation includes three essays that address—with respect to esports—the (1) strategic resources and core competencies of sport organizations; (2) sensemaking of actors within sport organizations; and (3) institutional creation strategies within heavily regulated fields. Essay one consists of an explanatory, qualitative study of professional sport teams diversifying into the esports industry. As sport organizations mature, they will need to seek growth opportunities beyond their core industry and compete with formally tangentially related firms. The nascent esports industry has been embraced by sport organizations (e.g., leagues, teams), many of whom use existing resources and best practices from traditional sport to manage their esports property. This trend provides a salient context to identify how sport organizations are using their resources in a new marketspace and what they can provide to non-sport organizations. Guided by strategic management perspectives of the resource-based view (RBV), knowledge-based view (KBV), and resource orchestration (RO), the purpose of essay one is to examine how sport organizations leverage their core competencies to create a sustainable competitive advantage. The findings support the hypothesis that the existing resources of sport organizations such as physical venues and existing departments (e.g., legal, marketing, sales departments) are used to support sport organizations operations in the esports industry. Moreover, the findings identify that the tacit knowledge embedded in the human capital of sport organizations is a salient resource that helps them generate a competitive advantage against non-sport organizations. While tacit knowledge is a driver of competitive advantage, it is the supporting structures and departments that allows sport organizations to use this knowledge efficiently and effectively. Thus, by operating at the intersection of sport, entertainment, and media, sport organizations are increasingly competing with formally tangentially related firms, and can use their embedded resources and structure when competing with these firms. Essay two focuses on the integration of esports by a first-mover sport organization. Essay two employs an exploratory case study of the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball League (NBA) and their integration of an esports team. The 76ers were the first North American professional sports organization to purchase and integrate an esports team. Novel technologies and practices, such as esports, are surrounded by uncertainty and are generally met with resistance (Huber, 1990) with their integration contingent upon internal and external constituent support. Actors, individuals within the 76ers, had to position and garner support for esports, which are representative of the novel practices and technologies influencing the way sport organizations are managed. In essay two an institutional creation work perspective is linked with sensemaking and related constructs to examine how actors within the 76ers helped create and give meaning—sensemaking—to esports. The findings of essay two support how actors within the 76ers were able to foster a progressive culture to create a shared understanding of esports and use this understanding to influence the sensemaking of others—sensegiving. In particular, the 76ers linked the managerial components of operating a sports team to operating an esports team. Yet the 76ers were deliberate in their approach, limiting cross-promotions between the fanbases of the 76ers and their esports team. By connecting institutional creation work with sensemaking, essay two contributes to how actors can proactively take actions to garner constituent support. Moreover, the findings of essay two support that sensemaking is a critical antecedent of sensegiving, as a shared understanding within an organization is a necessary prerequisite to influence the sensemaking of others (i.e., sensegiving). Essay two provides actors within the field of sport integrating novel practices and activities (e.g., augmented and virtual reality, in-game sports betting, wearable fitness devices, mediated sports consumption) strategies to proactively garner support for their integration. Essay two focuses on the integration of esports by professional sport organizations. Essay three utilizes an exploratory qualitative approach to identify the institutional creation strategies associated with integrating collegiate esports programs within the heavily regulated field of U.S. collegiate athletics. The findings of essay three support how actors need to go beyond creating a shared understanding to integrate novel activities. Actors must also influence the cognitive schema of other actors to facilitate the integration of novel practices and activities. Specifically, they can build on the concept of sportification (Heere, 2018) to both communicate and present esports in a manner consistent with traditional sports, using the concept of sport as a legitimizing agent. Collectively, the three essays support how sport organizations can seize growth opportunities with respect to their institutional environment. Sport organizations must recognize their institutional confines, but also can be strategic in their actions by focusing on their financial performance and sustainability in lieu of their constraints. This research contributes to a deeper understanding regarding how the institutional and strategic concerns of sport organizations influence their efficient and effective management. The research lays a foundation for a stream of future research on the strategic growth and long-term viability of sport organizations both within and beyond the esports industry.
Temple University--Theses

Context: Evidence supports education initiatives to improve knowledge of sport-related concussion (SRC) in active children and adolescents, as well as improve attitudes towards reporting concussion events to a supervising adult with the ultimate goal of early diagnosis and management. Most evidence focuses on urban and suburban children’s SRC knowledge and attitudes; however, little is known regarding knowledge and attitudes of children participating in sport in rural environments. Understanding current knowledge and attitudes of rural children can inform future education and health behavior strategies that encourage early reporting. Objective: Two objectives guided this study. First, obtain and analyze pilot data regarding current sport-concussion knowledge and attitudes from a rural youth cohort using a validated survey tool for adolescents. Secondly, make recommendations regarding the use of the tool and process to apply this method to a larger sample. Design: Survey Design. Setting: Middle and high school education setting. Participants: Twenty of 81 students who participated in interscholastic sport at a rural high school completed the survey for a response rate of 24.7%. More females (70%) than males (30%) completed the survey (Mage = 15.0yrs, SD = 1.89; range 13–18 years). Data Collection and Analysis: Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey – Student Version (RoCKAS-ST). Main Outcome Measure(s): Self-reported “likelihood to report”, concussion knowledge index (CKI), and concussion attitude index (CAI). Results: Concussion knowledge (CKI) was high amongst all respondents (19.7/25) and related positively to concussion attitude towards safe environments (CAI = 60.5/75). Students also self-reported a strong likelihood to report a concussion (7.3/10). Age, sex nor participation in contact verses noncontact sports did not vary from this trend with one exception; football respondents reported the lowest likelihood to report regardless of having knowledge and a safe attitudes. Conclusions: Although no formal education strategy has been delivered to this small cohort, respondents demonstrated a high or acceptable level of SRC knowledge, attitude and likelihood to report. The RoCKAS-ST as well at the process for delivering the survey was generally sound, however, delivering the survey during baseline testing may improve response rate. Future research should investigate the knowledge and attitudes of a larger cohort of rural student-athletes and should include more details on where students are receiving their education.

Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur rekryteringen till arbete av studenter från Sport Management-programmet vid Högskolan Dalarna har gått till, samt vilka personliga egenskaper och meriter som har varit avgörande för att erhålla anställning inom den idrottsrelaterade organisationen. Undersökningen har genomförts i intervjuform med arbetstagare som tidigare har studerat Sport Management samt med deras arbetsgivare. Resultatet visar att idealbakgrunden för att erhålla anställning inom idrottsrelaterade organisationer är:- Tidigare aktiv idrottare/insatt i idrotten för att veta hur det praktiska fungerar- Akademisk utbildning, förslagsvis Sport Management- Arbetslivserfarenhet inom idrotten- Brett kontaktnät- Att visa framåtanda - Utåtriktade och ambitiösa personliga egenskaper

The development of social media platforms had an immense global impact on the delivery and consumption of sports (Filo, Lock, & Karg, 2015), which placed a new meaning to the role and importance of the personal brands of athletes. The change from one-way (e.g., news reports, commercials) to two-way communication between athletes and consumers enabled by social media has opened up a completely different marketing world for athlete branding (Ballouli & Hutchinson, 2010). However, the global reach and potential of personal branding also increased the competition, which makes it more important than ever to differentiate and build a distinctive personal brand (Viţelar, 2019). The creation and management of brand identity are the foundations of any branding process (Aaker, 1996). The clearer the brand identity the athlete communicates, the easier it is for the consumer to form a congruent brand image. However, most research on athlete brands is focussed on brand image (consumer perspective). This not only leaves a theoretical vacuum on the brand identity of athletes but also on the congruence between the two perspectives. The lack of understanding of brand identity and brand congruence is concerning as athletes face increased pressures to utilise social media as a personal branding tool. Consistent with calls to examine athlete branding by combining athlete and consumer viewpoints (cf., Lobpries, Bennett, & Brison, 2017), this theoretical and practical knowledge gap presented an opportunity for research on the personal brands of athletes focussing on the insider perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this PhD thesis was threefold: (1) to investigate the current status of research on athlete brands and verify knowledge gaps in the existing literature; (2) to identify and explore the items and dimensions of athlete brand identity and develop a scale to measure the athlete brand from the athlete as well as the consumer perspective; and (3) to test the validity and practicability of the developed scale and introduce athlete brand congruence to measure comparisons between athlete and consumer perspectives of the athlete’s personal brand. Study 1 reports a systematic quantitative literature review (SQLR) that was designed to identify and qualitatively evaluate all relevant athlete brand research. This review built the foundation of the thesis by identifying gaps within the existing literature. Sixty-three articles met the inclusion criteria of the SQLR, which followed processes established by Denyer and Tranfield (2009) and Pickering and Byrne (2014). Results confirmed and substantiated the lack of research from the athlete’s perspective (i.e., athlete brand identity) and supported the need for further investigation on athlete branding. The focus of Study 2 was to identify the items and dimensions of athlete brand identity and to develop the athlete brand identity scale (ABIdS). This was achieved using a two-step, mixed-method process. First, a list of 112 items was collated from the literature identified in the SQLR. The relevance and importance of these items to the brand identity of athletes were then evaluated with the help of 10 athlete brand experts. Second, the remaining 74 items were tested on an athlete and consumer sample (n=194) in form of an online questionnaire. Factor analysis and Rasch analysis were conducted to further reduce the items, identify underlying common factors and assess item measurement properties to form a concise scale which best represented athlete brand identity. The result was the development of the ABIdS that consists of 33 items forming four athlete brand identity dimensions: Athletic Integrity (12 items), Athletic Success (9 items), Fan Engagement (7 items), and Character Traits (5 items). Study 3 tested and evaluated the validity and practicability of the ABIdS. Consumers (n=794) evaluated the brands of five current Australian elite athletes using the ABIdS. These athletes also assessed their own brand using the same scale. Statistical analyses confirmed the validity and reliability of the scale. However, one item (wellconditioned body) was removed from the Athletic Success dimension to resolve statistical inconsistencies. Collecting data from athletes and consumers on the same scale enabled the analysis of athlete brand congruence based on Musante et al.’s (1999) fit measure. Low congruence scores reflected low cohesiveness between brand identity items sent and the way these items were processed as images by consumers. These low congruence scores were further investigated and the specific items responsible for the disparity between the two perceptions were identified. From a practical standpoint, the ABIdS provides detailed information to brand insiders, such as athletes, sports marketers and high-performance sport managers, on the key elements required to develop a successful personal brand identity. These elements can be derived from the four dimensions of the scale and associated characteristics. Practical application and analysis of the ABIdS and the brand congruence measure delivers results that help athletes to develop targeted strategies to improve the status of their brand by providing guidance and pinpointing areas of improvement. The results of this PhD fill the identified knowledge gap on athlete brand identity and its relationship to brand image in form of brand congruence. Identifying and defining the four dimensions of athlete brand identity and developing the ABIdS represents a theoretical advancement in the discipline of sports marketing due to the particular focus on the athlete perspective throughout the scale development process. In combination, the ABIdS and the athlete brand congruence measure provide effective assessments of athlete brands, which presents a new approach for future research in this domain. This PhD thesis also contributes to the theoretical concepts that guided the three studies by focussing on conscious brand identity creation as the driver of brand image (cf., Aaker, 1996). Based on Aaker’s assumption, this thesis used a multidisciplinary approach to combine Goffman’s (1959) self-identity framework (sociology) and Tajfel and Turner’s (1979) social identity theory (social psychology) to rationalise the personal brands of athletes as intentionally managed, socially constructed and dynamic in nature. Extending the combination of these disciplines to examine athlete brands in the age of social media proved particularly relevant and presents opportunities to guide future research. Overall, the knowledge gained through the three sequential studies in the context of this PhD thesis provides evidence that will help to positively influence the development of successful athlete brand strategies and advances the theoretical understanding of this research domain.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Dept Tourism, Sport & Hot Mgmt
Griffith Business School
Full Text

The main goal of this master's thesis is to analyze methodology of sports event management followed by comprehensive description and its application on conducted sporting event (NOAH Golf Tournament) for corporate purpose based on analysis of the various economic, marketing and managerial aspects. Part of the paper is demonstration of growing importance of golf in China including market research.

The purpose of this study is to survey which competences and personal qualities the labour market, for students with examination from the Coaching and Sport management education at Vaxjo University, require. Furthermore I want to find out if the employees, videlicet the ex students, consider that their competences differentiate in relation to other employees in the organization which not have this education.

In the study a qualitative investigation method has been used where ten interviews have been implemented. The interviews have been carried out within five conceivable work areas to a student with examination from the Coaching and Sport management education at Vaxjo University. The work areas are sports association, sports union, municipal activity with sport and leisure time connection, company with health care connection and company without any kind of sport connection. Five of the persons being interviewed are ex students that now are employees within any of the elected work areas. The remaining five interviews have been carried out with the employer of respective employees.

The result of the study shows that the work which the employees perform within respective work area are relatively different but are despite everything of similar characteristic and can be deduced to the work that is included in the profession of a Sport manager. Between the work areas that have any kind of sport or health care connection their is an obvious connection between which qualifications that is demanded to recruitment and which competences and personal qualities that are important within each profession to perform its work. An obvious connection is also made clear among the competence weaknesses that the employees have, despite different work.

In the analysis the result is compared with the chosen theories to support the interpretations that are made. There are also suggestions given about changes that can be valuable to take into consideration in future planning of the course contents within the education of Coaching and Sport management at Vaxjo University.

Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga vilka kompetenser och personliga egenskaper arbetsmarknaden, för studenter som gått Coaching och sportmanagement vid Växjö universitet, efterfrågar. Dessutom vill jag ta reda på om de anställda, det vill säga de före detta studenterna, anser att deras kompetenser skiljer sig i förhållande till andra medarbetare i organisationen som inte har denna utbildning.

I studien har en kvalitativ undersökningsmetod använts där tio intervjuer har genomförts. Intervjuerna har genomförts inom fem tänkbara arbetsområden för en student med examen från Coaching och Sportmanagementprogrammet vid Växjö universitet. Arbetsområdena är idrottsförening, idrottsförbund, kommunal verksamhet med idrotts och fritidsanknytning, företag med friskvårdsanknytning samt företag helt utan idrottsanknytning. Fem av intervjupersonerna är före detta studenter som numera är anställda inom något av de valda arbetsområdena, de övriga fem intervjuerna har genomförts med de anställda respektive arbetsgivare.

Resulatet av undersökningen visar att de arbetsuppgifter som de anställda utför inom respektive område är relativt olika men än dock av liknande karaktär och kan härledas till de arbetsuppgifter som ingår i yrket för en Sport manager. Mellan de arbetsområden som har någon form av idrotts- eller friskvårdsanknytning syns ett tydligt samband mellan vilka kvalifikationer som krävs vid rekrytering och vilka kompetenser och personliga egenskaper som är viktiga inom respektive yrke för att genomföra dess arbetsuppgifter. Ett tydligt samband går även att utläsa bland de kompetenssvagheter som de anställda besitter, trots olika arbetsuppgifter.

I analysen ställs resultatet mot de valda teorierna för att stärka de tolkningar som görs. Där ges även förslag på förändringar som kan vara värdefulla att ta i beaktande i framtida planering av kursinnehållet inom programmet för Coaching och Sport management vid Växjö universitet.

Tourism and Sport
D.B.A.
The current research investigates pricing practices and consumer behavior in long-distance running events. Two studies address (1) current practices in pricing and registration policies for long-distance running events, and (2) factors that influence the decision-making process by which event organizers develop, adopt, and implement particular pricing policies. Study One involves a descriptive census of policies currently in use for a comprehensive list of running events in the United States that include races at the full or half marathon distance. Study Two adopts a multi-case study approach based on semi-structured interviews of running event organizers, supplemented by additional organizational documents, to investigate the pricing and registration policy development process. Collectively, these two studies examine the what, the why, and the how of pricing policy development in long-distance running events. Based on study findings, a conceptual model was developed incorporating major sources of influence (organizational, consumer, environmental, and event) on the pricing policy development process. This research contributes to sport management by providing deeper understanding of how participant sport, specifically long-distance running events, is priced and how pricing decisions influence consumer behaviors. Results additionally provide practical insight for running event organizers seeking to improve or enhance pricing policies and revenue management by understanding both common and atypical practices in use throughout the running event industry. Finally the current research lays a foundation for a stream of future research building on findings from two studies and data generated in the process of addressing the overarching research questions.
Temple University--Theses

The globalisation of communications has brought with it the ability to increase the efficiency of various business aspects of sport organisations. Although the use of the Internet may be seen as a promotional and strategic eBusiness tool, there is little empirical evidence or analysis of the influence of organisational strategy on Internet initiatives within sport organisations. Little is known about the nature and effects of eBusiness developments in voluntary sport organisations and the extent that various sport management constructs influence organisational strategy to deliver sport business growth. Most of the existing research on the subject has simply provided what amounts to check lists of desired outcomes, or descriptive analysis of use of the Internet by sport organisations. This study has sought to investigate factors that contribute to voluntary sport organisations in Western Australia developing online strategies. To do this it was necessary to define characteristics of online sport organisations and development of a framework through an extensive literature review. Using sport strategic types from the literature, 5 imperatives of sport organisation strategy were identified and used to assist in developing research questions for the study. Specifically, the research sought to investigate what computer technologies are currently being utilised by sport organisations, how the Internet was being used by sport organisations, what were the features of sport organisation websites, which strategic imperatives contributed to the development of online strategies, and how do these strategic imperatives contribute to the development of online strategies. The research utilised complementary methods incorporating both qualitative and quantitative measures. The study used descriptive methodology to report what actually happened whilst examining relationships between strategic imperatives and the sport organisations through case study analysis. The major methods of data collection were survey analysis and interviews with key stakeholders within the sport organisations. The use of computer technology by sport organisations, and the use and role of the Internet within sport organisations was investigated. This was followed by an exploration of the features and characteristics of sport 2 organisation web sites which was analysed and contrasted with previous studies. This survey analysis provided a starting point for the main part of the study that entailed interviews with a number of participants from volunteer sport organisations in Western Australia. Using an interview guide approach, participants provided responses grouped around strategic imperatives for sport strategy that included fundability, the size of the client base, volunteer appeal, support group appeal, and total costs. Phenomenological nodes that arose from the research based on the qualitative method were analysed using a statistical computer program, NUD•IST. Using a case study analysis, the study explored a number of themes and issues that emerged from the data which influenced the development of Internet strategies within sport organisations. These included themes of strategic capability, intermediation effects, financial aspects, the issue of control, as well as measuring value. A plan of strategic preparedness for the online sport organisation was subsequently developed utilising the themes and results that emerged from the data coupled with planning models identified from the literature. The results of this research have many implications for the voluntary sport organisation in maximising online innovations to drive sport business growth. At the conclusion of the thesis, extensive recommendations for further research are provided.

The professional arena in which sport performers operate can be a breeding ground for stress. Despite the limited investigation of professional sport performers and their experiences of stress, the research conducted to date suggests that these individuals encounter a range of competitive and organizational stressors that are an inherent aspect of the organization in which they are contracted to operate. These stressors can typically lead to a range of adverse outcomes for well-being and performance if they are not appropriately managed. It is therefore important for psychologists to obtain a stronger evidence-base for understanding these performers' experiences of stress in this organizational setting. By understanding the ways in which these individuals interact and adapt to their professional environment, this can inform the design and evaluation of organizational stress management interventions aimed to optimise performers' well-being and performance. In so far that the evidence base for effective organizational interventions is limited, evaluating the effectiveness of organizational stress management interventions in sport organizations will make a strong contribution to psychologists' knowledge of the conditions by which such initiatives may be effective in this organizational context. To make a contribution to the evidence base in this area, the purpose of this thesis was to examine the management of stress as it is experienced in a professional sport organization.

The purpose of this study was to examine the governmental organizations in charge of sport in Belarus (Goskomsport Belarus) and Canada (Sport Canada) from a comparative perspective. Data were collected in both Russian and English. Results of the study suggested that the sport organizations have a number of common elements, notably their complexity and formalization. Granted their instable, complex and heterogeneous environments, both Sport Canada and Goskomsport Belarus are heavily influenced by political and economic factors and are confronted with budget reductions and re-structuring. It was found that Sport Canada had a more flexible structure, less centralized decision making, and more advanced technology than Goskomsport Belarus. Results also suggest that Goskomsport Belarus operates in a more instable and complex environment, with a proportionally smaller budget, but that it is more aggressive in terms of its quest for a political power that would allow it to maintain its operations, and for corporate partners that would bring revenues from sources other than the traditional state contributions. The environment's high degree of instability and complexity in Canada and in Belarus was perhaps the main factor affecting the two focal organizations. Environmental turbulence demands a lot of flexibility and adaptiveness on the part of organizational structures for the latter to allow an organization to be effective. In the case of Sport Canada, better structural flexibility (because of the matrix system), lesser structural complexity, lesser formalization and more decentralized decision making processes made the organization apparently better equipped to adapt to the changing political and economic situation. In brief, Sport Canada had a structural arrangement that was more suited to the contextual situation than was the case for Goskomsport Belarus. This may explain why Sport Canada seemed to be more effective than Goskomsport Belarus in an unstable and dynamic environment. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Excerpt: Hiring innovative employees and promoting an innovative workplace culture is often cited as critical to organizational success (Evangelista & Vezzani, 2010; Rubera & Kirca, 2012; Sapprasert & Clausen, 2012; Walker et al., 2010).

The economic and social benefits synonymous with the sport industry have been well documented (Dalziel, 2011; Shilbury, Deane & Kellet, 2006). However it has become apparent that many of the organisations responsible for the delivery and development of sport within many countries have grossly underperformed and continue to do so. This study identifies and focuses upon fundamental performance dimensions that impact upon non-profit sport organisations (NPSOs) and explores ways in which these entities can manage and overcome specific performance challenges, to facilitate their prosper as key social institutions within society. The emphasis on NPSOs is justified in the first instance as it is they that represent the primary means of offering sporting opportunities and competition for citizens of a state. Thus state sport agencies and nationa1 governing bodies (NGBs) represent the principle foci of this research study whilst a comparative analysis is utilised, deploying a qualitative case study methodology, to analyse performance within selected organisations. The organisations that are afforded most attention emerge from Ireland and New Zealand; however, secondary case study organisations from other selected countries are also examined and key lessons from their governance and function drawn upon. Following a thorough review of the extant literature relating to performance management in the traditional business and sport management environments, the general tools, systems and processes that are available for use when managing organisational and individual performances within non-profit sport organisations are identified. This is followed by a more detailed examination of the literature around issues of governance, finance and industry participation. The case study organisations, referred to above, are then analysed to assess their use of traditional performance management practices, the management of selected performance dimensions and an identification of any root causes explaining underperfonnance within any of the organisations highlighted in the study. The findings of this research reveal that NPSOs have not yet fully engaged with performance management practices and, most notably within the focus afforded the situation in Ireland, in some cases there is a complete absence of any form of systematic and or identified organisational performance appraisal in place. Furthermore, the manner in which individual performance (including the performances of volunteers) finance, and participation (i.e. by the end users) are managed remains, by any international comparison, largely inadequate amongst many of the organisations addressed in this research study. Outdated and flawed governance structures are identified as the primary explanation for the often spectacular underperfonnance of these organisations with little prospect of immediate recovery for most. This has created a percolating effect within all levels of these organisations with performance failures being identified along several key organisational and performance dimensions. Consequently, the results of this study largely focus on the evaluation and re-structuring of current governance practices within NPSO bodies, specifically within the countries highlighted within this study.

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES)
This study is motivated by the growing need for South African sport competitions (such as the Olympic Games and various other sport-specific world championships) to be transformed into quality and profitable events, noting that they need to be managed professionally, with well organised and sophisticated athlete preparation with excellent management systems. New pressures have emerged from within South Africa from key stakeholders that require sport organisations to become more performance orientated, and to build their capacity in order to improve or better manage their organisational performance. The primary focus of the research, therefore, is on quality management practices in high performance sport at a programme management level while the research also reviews substantial literature concerning the study in order to explain the dynamics surrounding the high performance management practices of Swimming Centres of Excellence at the two selected universities in South Africa. The study is qualitative and unpacks two theoretical frameworks namely, Total Quality Management practices and a conceptual framework of high performance management structures and processes. The overarching findings and recommendations are that the implementation of the Quality Management Practices (QMPs) require that the principles and philosophy of excellence are shared and understood by all stakeholders. To implement QMPs successfully, there is a need to radically transform conventional practices to achieve radical and pervasive change. The research shows evidence that QMPs involve the redesign of organisational structures, the re-design of work and the re-definition of management style. The swimming high performance environment must be willing to take this into consideration for successful implementation of QMPs at the Centres of Excellence to ensure its future performance

This thesis examines if there is a relationship between competition time and team valuation, revenue and profitability in North American professional sport. The leagues examined were the major four in North America and include the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Football League. Using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a guide, appropriate literature of the four BSC categories was reviewed. The four categories of the BSC include Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes and Learning and Growth. Conceptual models for team valuation, revenue and profitability were constructed using the BSC as a framework. In order to construct the three conceptual models 51 professional sport research variables were identified as useful to this framework. The data was collected over a ten-year period for the seasons 2003/2004-2012/2013. A series of statistical analyses were examined with regression analyses revealed three distinct models for the three dependent variables. It was found that competition time has a significant impact on all three dependent variables. The results from this study will help league executives in creating new strategies for revenue growth and other financial gains. Future research will work towards creating more competition time variables that will aid in determining the proper amount of competition time that needs to be played by each league to maximize league finances.

Tyrimo objektas - Lietuvos miestų savivaldybių sporto padalinių specialistų (vadybininkų) kompetencijos. Darbo tikslas - Atlikti Lietuvos miestų savivaldybių sporto padalinių vadybininkų (specialistų) kompetencijų tyrimą ir analizę. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Apibrėžti kompetencijos ir darbo rinkos sampratas. 2. Išanalizuoti teorinius valstybės tarnautojų kompetencijos aspektus. 3. Ištirti sporto specialistų (vadybininkų) rengimą ir tobulinimą Lietuvoje. 4. Išsiaiškinti pagrindines savivaldybių sporto padalinių funkcijas ir priskirti kompetencijas, reikalingas jiems atlikti. 5. Nustatyti sporto specialistų kompetencijų lygį. Darbo struktūra - Darbą sudaro 4 dalys, 73 puslapiai , 6 lentelės, 23 paveikslai ir 4 priedai. Pagrindinės savivaldybių sporto padalinių funkcijų grupės: - Personalo valdymo - Sporto mokymo įstaigų veiklos koordinavimas - Teisinio valdymo - Informacijos valdymo - Statinių valdymo - Finansinės veiklos valdymo - Renginių valdymo - Aukšto meistriškumo sportininkų rengimo Pagal TUNING projektą, kuris nukreiptas į specialistų rengimo modernizavimą, 4 grupių kompetencijos: instrumentinės (būtinosios), tarpasmeninės, sisteminės ir kitos kompetencijos yra priskirtinos savivaldybių sporto padalinių atliekamoms funkcijoms atlikti.
Research object Competences of municipality sport departments managers (specialists). Aim of research To perform competence research and analysis of municipality sport departments managers (specialists). Tasks of research 1. To define conceptions of competence and labor market. 2. To analyze academic aspects of public officials competences. 3. To research training and development of sport managers (specialists) in Lithuania. 4. To detect main functions of municipality sport departments and identify competences, required to fulfill them. 5. To detect competence level of sport specialists. Research structure Research is structured of 4 parts, 56 pages , 6 tables, 23 pictures and 4 supplements. Main functions of municipality sport departments: personell management, koordination of sport teaching institutions, legal management, information management, buildings management, financial management, event management, high mastery sportsmen praparation. According TUNING project competences of 4 groups are referable to 8 main fumctions of municipality sport departments: instrumental, interpersonal, systemic and other competences. Key words: competence, sport management, public official.

The aim of this programme of research was to build on existing knowledge of impression management and self-presentation in the sport context. Theoretical advancement was made with the integration of two well-established social psychological frameworks of impression management phenomena; Leary’s (1995) topography of dispositional self-presentational motives, and Leary and Kowalski’s (1990) Two-Component Model of Impression Management – including situational impression motivation and impression construction – are complimentary, and their combination reflects a trait x state approach to understanding interpersonal behaviour in sport contexts. Athletes are assessed by team-mates, coaches, selectors, and the audience at a frequent rate. If they are aware of this, it could be viewed as an opportunity for personal and social development, or a threat to their existent identities. In both cases, the athlete must ensure that their performance is not affected by such thoughts, otherwise they risk conveying a negative impression regardless of their self-presentational motives (Leary, 1992). The present thesis incorporates three novel studies that address a multitude of first and second generation research questions (cf. Zanna & Fazio, 1982). Key findings include, but are not limited to: athletes have a strong dispositional motive to attain intra- and interpersonal goals via their self-presentations; if their impression efficacy does not match their impression motivation they tend to appraise this as a challenge, not a threat, contrary to theoretical expectations; in a laboratory setting, heightened impression motivation is associated with improved performance rather than increased distractibility and performance decrements (as was anticipated); impression management is important in developing desired social identities within university sport subcultures; and impression management is implicated in positive and negative group dynamics. In achieving its aims, the present thesis developed a new measurement scale, devised a successful experimental manipulation of impression motivation, and employed stimulated recall interview methodology; all novel or challenging approaches in sport psychology.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reflecting a general trend in modern society, the world of sport has become information driven, with effective information management becoming an essential part of all sports organisations and sporting activities. The sophistication oflarge, multi-sport events - mega-games - such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games demand a high standard of information management to help ensure the smooth running of such events. This is also true of the managing of national teams participating in them. In this thesis a model of an information management system (IMS) is developed for managing certain types of information in such events and the national team participating in them. The model is based on two conceptual frameworks: Intellectual capital, and secondly the information management cycle. The model is then tested using a number of case studies where a specific information management system was used to manage the information of different sports teams and events. The degree to which the information management system was effectively implemented in each case is evaluated and the results used to measure the correctness and accuracy of the model. Lastly suggestions are given as to how the model can be improved in view of the case study findings, and what the future role of information management in sports events may look like in light of the results.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die feit dat inligtingsbestuur 'n noodsaaklike deel geword het in sport organisasies en aktiwiteite is 'n weerspieeling van 'n algemene tendens in die moderne, informasie-gedrewe samelewing. Die ingewikkeldheid van groot, multi-sport byeenkomste - "mega-games" - soos die Olimpiese Spele en die Gemeenskapspele vereis 'n hoe standaard van inligtingsbestuur om te verseker dat sulke byeenkomste glad verloop. Dieselfde geld in die geval van die bestuur van die nasionale spanne wat daaraan deelneem. In hierdie tesis word 'n inligtingbestuursmodel ontwikkelom sekere tipes inligting van verskillende sportbyeenkomste en nasionale sportspanne te bestuur. Die model is geskoei op twee konseptueie raamwerke: Intellekteuie kapitaal, en tweedens die inligtingsbestuursiklus. Die model word getoets deur middel van 'n aantal gevallestudies waartydens 'n besondere inligtingstelsel gebruik is on sportspanne en byeenkomste se inligting mee te bestuur. Die mate waartoe die inligtingbestuurstelsel effektief geimplementeer is word ge-evalueer en die resultate gebruik om die korrektheid en akkuraatheid van die model te meet. Ten slotte word voorstelle gemaak oor hoe die model verbeter kan word in die lig van die gevallestudiebevindinge, en wat die moontlike toekomstige rol van inligtingsbestuur by sportbyeenkomste kan wees in lig van die bevindinge.

This study determines whether the institutional size has any relationship to institutional concerns for risk management and if institutional size is related to the effectiveness of sound risk management guidelines within collegiate sport club programs. A risk management self assessment instrument consisting of twenty-five sound risk management guidelines and a ranking of the five most important and most difficult to implement was developed. Using the risk management self-assessment instrument, this nation-wide study asked collegiate sport club administrators to assess the extent to which their programs effectively adhere to sound risk management guidelines and to determine what they deem to be the most important and the most difficult risk management concerns to implement. Between institutional population sizes of 0-3000, 3001-10000, 10001- 20000, and 20001-60500, no significant differences were detected in regards to overall effectiveness of risk management guidelines. Six of twenty-five individual statements had significant differences between institutional sizes. These statements' concerns were in regards to equipment, physical examinations, waivers, travel itineraries, site communication accessibility, and manuals. Analysis of the ranking of most important and most difficult concerns to implement indicated there was no significant differences between the institutional sizes in regards to risk management concerns for sport club programs. The most important concerns were: 1) Waivers, 2) Litigation prevention, 3) Facility inspection, 4) Travel-drivers, and 5) Manuals. The most difficult to implement concerns were: 1) Physical examinations, 2) First aid at competitions, 3) Coaching standards, 4) Equipment inspections, and 5) Travel-drivers. With no significant differences between institutional size groupings in either effectiveness or types of concerns, a standard of care regarding risk management appears to be in place across the country.

GREENWOOD, PAUL BRIAN. Sport Fan Team Identification in a Professional Expansion Setting. (Under the direction of Michael A. Kanters.) This study assessed the relationship between team identification of sport fans and a number of different variables including but not limited to: the reasons for initially becoming a fan, specific sport knowledge, and purchasing behavior. A non-random sample of spectators (N = 356) at an Arena Football League (AFL) game completed a survey designed to identify or measure the aforementioned variables. A t-test revealed that males reported significantly higher levels of team identification than females. Analysis using a Pearson correlation matrix showed a positive correlation between team identification and sport knowledge, attendance rate, and purchasing behavior. Likewise, a positive correlation was found between team identification and the following reasons for initially becoming a fan: closest team, born and/or live in the city and/or state, team success, the players and/or coaches, parents and/or family influence, and the tailgating and party atmosphere. The findings have important implications for professional sport franchises in terms of tailoring marketing efforts for potential fans.

The word talent is becoming more important nowadays in a world where every-thing is getting globalizing. Along this thesis, the authors take a close look to the definition of talent and the role of the talent management theory. It is also mentioned other topics such as knowledge management and human resources management, and how both are connected to talent management through tal-ent itself. This process is mainly structured in three key elements: To find, develop and retain a talent. During the whole process, the concept of leader-ship and leader will be present. The authors use the world of sports as illus-tration to make the talent management and leadership topics more visible to the reader. Several experts were interviewed from different fields and with their knowledge and experiences, Íñigo and Andreas come to the final conclusion where it can be appreciated how business can learn and beneficiate from sports and vice versa.

This thesis investigates the underlying mechanisms and processes that shape sport sponsorship in Cyprus. A systematic review of the international sport sponsorship literature (1980-2009) is undertaken and used as the guide for the qualitative empirical study concentrating on football sponsorship activity undertaken in Cyprus as a developing sport sponsorship market. The systematic review reveals sponsorship management structures, practices, tendencies, and models adopted at a range of national settings, and discloses contrasts that exist in different contexts. The findings of the systematic review highlight the management practices employed by sponsors, such as their motives, decision-making practices, activation and leveraging initiatives, objectives, and evaluation processes. With regard to the empirical investigation, sponsorship activity is viewed and interpreted within the broader social and cultural context in which it takes place. The analysis of the findings is informed by critical realism paradigm, so that the underlying causal mechanisms and structures shaping (or influencing) sponsorship activity in Cyprus are identified and discussed. Specifically, the findings of study, which focused on the top division of the national professional league, revealed the existence of a sponsorship continuum involving four significantly different sponsorship approaches, ranging from purely philanthropic to heavily rational and commercial. Interestingly, the study revealed the interdependence of global and local processes within the sponsorship-related practices, suggesting that sponsorship arrangements in this specific context are marked culturally by processes of glocalisation. Such processes appeared to be vividly expressed in sponsorship-related projects in Cyprus, and involved an amalgamation of several local and cultural factors such as a strong prevalence of localism, nationalism, political clientelism, and reliance on personal relations. Community pressures seemed to have a central role in sponsorship related decision-making, whilst sponsorship activity appeared also to be influenced by the structure of the sponsors industry, the organisational structure and corporate culture, as well as by the structure and local specificity of the football market in Cyprus. More specifically, competitive imbalance of the national league, politicisation of football, the level of competition within a particular industry, and centrality of authority and control (both organisational and cultural), are additional factors that appeared to impact sponsorship activity in the specific market.

The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of using loyalty programs on sport fans’ relationship quality and fan engagement toward sport organizations. This study also sought to explore which relationship quality and fan engagement factors potentially differed as a result of using loyalty programs. Since there are two major defined sport levels, differences were explored across niche and mainstream sport organizations. Using relationship marketing as the theoretical framework, participants (n = 678) were administered a 55-item instrument that included revised relationship quality and fan engagement scales. Quantitative data were used to run confirmatory factor analyses, analyses of covariance, and multivariate analyses of covariance. Results first showed that significant differences existed between mainstream sport fans that have access to a loyalty program and mainstream sport fans that do not have access to a loyalty program. Mainstream sport fans that have access to a loyalty program had higher identification and reciprocity. Mainstream sport fans that do not have access to a loyalty program were found to have higher overall fan engagement, commitment, intimacy, and performance tolerance. Results also showed differences between niche sport fans that have access to a loyalty program and mainstream sport fans that have access to a loyalty program. Mainstream sport fans that have access to a loyalty program were divided into two groups (simple or complex) based on the design of the loyalty programs. Niche sport fans that have access to a loyalty program were found to have higher overall relationship quality, trust, intimacy, management cooperation, and performance tolerance. The findings provide an introduction in to the possibility that loyalty programs could be effective for increasing relationship quality for both niche and mainstream sport organizations. Moreover, for niche sport organizations that have access to fewer resources, it is encouraging that the use of a loyalty program appears to have the capabilities to build stronger relationships and engagement. These results provide several implications for sport organizations and sport marketers and serve as a foundation for which future research on loyalty programs can build.

Sport coaches are perceived as problem solvers who engage in creativity to handle the spontaneity of competitive activity and generate winning results. However, while creativity in athletes has been researched, little has been investigated regarding coaches. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine different aspects of creativity – person, process, press, and product – among collegiate team sport coaches in the United States. Specifically, how personality traits, ideational fluency, remote association ability, years of coaching experience, and work climate related to creative product impact and frequency. A modified creativity personality test was found to be positively related to both the impact and frequency of creative products. Further, self-confidence and years of coaching experience were positively related to creative product impact, while inventiveness was positively related to creative product frequency. Analyzing the creative potential factors related to creative productivity may be useful in enhancing creativity for collegiate coaches and improving outcomes.