Abstract
The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the stakeholder-strategy relationship in non-profit sport clubs and to answer the following questions; (1) how hierarchies of organisational aims and actual strategic decisions change due to involvement of certain interest groups in the strategic processes of the observed organisations; (2) how clubs on different quality levels differentiate regarding stakeholders’ hierarchies, hierarchies of aims, and regarding actual strategic decisions. The data were collected from 73 basketball clubs from four South-East European countries. Findings show that private sponsors are the most influential stakeholders in top quality clubs that pursue top sport and financial results more than local community inclusion and other non-profit objectives. Higher-quality level clubs pursue cost reductions, top sport results, and fast results, while clubs where volunteers, local communities, the state and municipal authorities had stronger impact give more emphasis to growth, local community aims, and lowering risk.
Highlights
Sport clubs in Europe are traditionally closer to the non-profit sector than their U.S counterparts
The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the stakeholder-strategy relationship in non-profit sport clubs and to answer the following questions; (1) how hierarchies of organisational aims and actual strategic decisions change due to involvement of certain interest groups in the strategic processes of the observed organisations; (2) how clubs on different quality levels differentiate regarding stakeholders’ hierarchies, hierarchies of aims, and regarding actual strategic decisions
Our findings indicate that private sponsors were perceived as the most influential stakeholder group among first division clubs, followed by professional employees
Summary
Sport clubs in Europe are traditionally closer to the non-profit sector than their U.S counterparts This is in line with EU Commission’s statement that sport clubs should offer sport opportunities at a local level and promote the ‘sport for all’ idea (Petry, Steinbach & Tokarski 2004). In the former centrally planned states as well as in some Nordic countries even highly professional top sport clubs preserved non-profit legal forms (Ibsen, 2006, Skoric, Bartoluci & Custonja, 2012). How do hierarchies of aims and actual strategic decisions correlate to strength of strategic involvement of certain interest groups?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
