Conceptual Framework and Research Design

Abstract

The overarching aim of this book is to analyse the contribution of sports clubs to public welfare across different European countries. Sports clubs are firstly conceptualised as voluntary organisations. Then a multi-level conceptual framework is developed to consider the following three analytical levels: (1) historical roots and the embedment of sports clubs in society and sports policy systems (macro level); (2) the sports club with structural characteristics, goals, resources and management (meso level); and (3) the members and volunteers and their sport activities and engagement in the club (micro level). We then briefly introduce relevant research as well as important policy documents about various socio-political functions, i.e. health promotion, social integration, democratic involvement and participation as well as volunteering. Furthermore, the research questions that guide the analysis across the ten country-specific chapters are developed. Finally, the research design of the project “Social Inclusion and Volunteering in Sports Clubs in Europe” (SIVSCE) is presented and limitations are discussed. This project collected comparable data across ten European countries by means of the same instruments and standardised questionnaires.