Local sport club presidents’ perceptions of collaboration with sport federations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the collaboration between sport federations and their sport clubs by examining club presidents’ perceptions of the relationship between the process and the effectiveness of this collaboration. Design: An online survey was administered to representatives of sport clubs in Wallonia, Belgium (n = 666). Multiple regression analysis was conducted. The independent variables were the five dimensions of the collaboration process and the dependent variables were the club presidents’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the collaboration. Findings: Results indicate that, according to club presidents’ perceptions, the process of collaboration is closely linked to collaboration effectiveness. Moreover, the research highlights that specific process dimensions such as mutuality and trust are closely related to club presidents’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the collaboration. Practical Implications: This research highlights that sport federations and sport clubs should strengthen their interorganisational interdependence and trust in order to collaborate more effectively. Research Contribution: This study contributes to the literature by providing strong empirical evidence that the process of collaboration is closely related to the effectiveness of collaboration between federations and their clubs. Mutuality and trust are particularly crucial for effective collaboration.