Sports Organizations as Complex Systems: Using Cognitive Work Analysis to Identify the Factors Influencing Performance in an Elite Netball Organization.

Adam Hulme,Scott Mclean,Anthony Bedford,Paul M Salmon,Gemma J M Read,Clare Dallat

doi:10.3389/fspor.2019.00056

Adam Hulme, Scott Mclean + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2019.00056

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Abstract

There is increasing interest in the adoption of a complex systems thinking approach when attempting to understand and optimize sports performance. Despite this, few studies have attempted to model elite sports organizations. The aim of this study was to use methods from the Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) framework to develop a model of an elite netball organization and identify wider organizational functions and constraints influencing performance. Two phases of CWA were used: (i) Work Domain Analysis (WDA); and, (ii) Social Organization and Co-operation Analysis (SOCA). A WDA model of the elite netball organization was developed via subject matter expert (SME) workshops, and a SOCA was undertaken to identify the different functions, roles, and responsibilities of key actors within the organization. The findings identify various factors that influence performance. Functions that appear to provide a competitive edge are discussed, including a strong club ethos, a shared responsibility for performance, and a focus on player and staff health and well-being. Factors that potentially have a negative impact on performance include organizational priorities not related to playing netball, and additional coach and athlete roles beyond coaching, training, and playing. The implications for understanding and optimizing elite sports organizations are discussed.

Highlights

The adoption of a complex systems thinking approach when attempting to understand elite sport performance is currently receiving traction in various sporting contexts (Cruickshank et al, 2015; Sadjad and Mitchell, 2016; Clacy et al, 2017; McLean et al, 2017; Mooney et al, 2017; Hulme et al, 2019a)
This involved the development of a Work Domain Analysis (WDA) (Naikar, 2005, 2013) model of the netball organization, including an analysis of stakeholder functions, roles and responsibilities using the Social Organization and Co-operation Analysis (SOCA) component
Specific modifications to the WDA-SOCA model following step eight of the nine step methodology can be viewed in the Supplementary Material

Summary

Introduction

The adoption of a complex systems thinking approach when attempting to understand elite sport performance is currently receiving traction in various sporting contexts (Cruickshank et al, 2015; Sadjad and Mitchell, 2016; Clacy et al, 2017; McLean et al, 2017; Mooney et al, 2017; Hulme et al, 2019a). The aim of this study was to use a well-known method from the discipline of human factors and ergonomics to provide an indepth analysis of an elite Australian netball organization from a systems thinking perspective. This involved the development of a Work Domain Analysis (WDA) (Naikar, 2005, 2013) model of the netball organization, including an analysis of stakeholder functions, roles and responsibilities using the Social Organization and Co-operation Analysis (SOCA) component. The aim of the broader research program in which this work was undertaken was to identify new opportunities for optimizing system design with a view to further enhance organizational management and sports performance

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