Kaizen as a business philosophy in sport organizations

Abstract

The success of any sports organization, in addition to possessing optimal contingent and quality of all the necessary resources, is conditioned by the proper management systems. By applying appropriate business philosophy (in line with the shape and the specific characteristics of sport organizations) the management seeks to achieve its objectives, particularly sportingones, which are the basis for all other (business) goals of the organization. Kaizen, as a modern business philosophy, was said by its founder (Masaki Imai) to be a continuous work on how to be a better man. Simply saying 'better' is not a precise definition. Kaizen is primarily a daily and continuous improvement. When it comes to sports organizations, one can also talk about the realistic possibilities for the application of kaizen philosophy in their business processes and activities. Seeing as in business organizations the kaizen system requires involvement of all employees (of course, respecting the specific position, role and responsibilities of individuals in the organizational set up) it is quite logical that the sports organization and this approach may be completely acceptable. Essentially the paper, deals with the explication of the determinants of Kaizen as a business philosophy and its possible applicability to sports organizations; as well as a possible model for creating organizational change in them.