Abstract
This case study analyzed the innovation processes that led to the adoption of a work-integrated learning program among several sport organizations. A comparative case study analysis was used to deduce the commonly shared determinants between each of the sport organizations. Notably, having an innovation champion was a key determination. As well, lack of resources regarding staffing, the involvement of the managers with the participating higher education institution, the ease of contract design, and access to good candidates for the program were also influential in the innovation process. This study revealed, for sport organizations facing similar issues, that the graduate apprenticeship program could provide benefits. As well for sport management program, it could provide a stronger relationship with regional sport organizations. This research also extends the body of research regarding the underlying mechanisms by which sport organizations innovate generally.
Highlights
This case study analyzed the innovation processes that led to the adoption of a workintegrated learning program among several sport organizations
Sport organizations often attenuate staffing issues through student internships, a common component of sport management education featured in 78% of collegiate programs in the US (Eagleman & McNary, 2010)
As sport attempts to understand its potential future in a post-COVID world, more sport organizations will deal with resource
Summary
This case study analyzed the innovation processes that led to the adoption of a workintegrated learning program among several sport organizations. Having an innovation champion was key, but other factors such as lack of resources regarding staffing, the relationship between sport management programs and sport organizations, the ease of contract design, and access to good student candidates were influential in the innovation process. Sport organizations seek out ways to mitigate staffing shortages at low costs, while avoiding lawsuits, and universities are seeking to provide effective workintegrated learning experiences for their students. This was echoed in the continual conversations with sport organizations participating in this research. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the innovation process that led to the adoption of a graduate apprenticeship (GA) program by several sport organizations in need of mitigating staffing shortages. Will sport organizations that face similar staffing issues to the organizations presented in this article benefit from the findings of this study, but so too will sport organizations more broadly pursuing innovation
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