Perspectives of Sport-related Labour Market and Employment Research: The Need for a Specific Approach

Abstract

A broad, sport-related labour market and employment theory does not yet exist. For the research-agenda it is therefore important to systematically test the contributions of the general labour market theory for applicability in the sport-related context, particularly in the light of the increasing emphasis being placed by European Higher Education institutions on the employability agenda. Beyond that, theoretical approaches that are specific to individual labour-market are necessary in order to be able to scope the whole spectrum of processes appropriately. In this paper perspectives of the sport-related labour market and graduate employment research are laid out in the context of their special characteristics and requirements. The labour market and the essential conditions of its development are characterised in a theoretical way, considering its typical features and delineating it from the neoclassical labour market theories as well as their contemporary expansions. Secondly, the political-institutional perspective is presented which takes into account the determinants of labour relations and the developments on the labour market, focussing on the special characteristics of the institutions and the economic subjects involved. Thirdly, recent and relevant fields of research are shown and theses for the future of the sport-related labour market and employment research agendas are formulated.