Voluntary Sports Clubs Research Articles

A three-dimensional model of innovation within Flemish non-profit sports organisations

ABSTRACT Research question This study aims to address the limitations of current typologies and determinants of innovation by proposing a three-dimensional (3D) conceptual innovation model, in which three dimensions (i.e. ‘form’, ‘nature’ and ‘goal’) are related to each other, resulting in eight innovation types. Based on this model, this study first examines the extent to which voluntary sports clubs (VSCs), sports federations (SFs) and local sports authorities (LSAs) implement the innovation types differently. Second, the effects of managerial, organisational and environmental determinants on the eight innovation types are investigated. Research methods Online questionnaires were distributed to VSCs, SFs and LSAs. Key representatives were asked to describe and categorise each innovation that their organisation had implemented in the previous four years. In addition, they were asked for their opinion on management, structural organisational characteristics and environmental influences. Results and Findings Findings show that there are significant differences in the extent to which the eight innovation types are implemented by SFs, LSAs and VSCs. Also, the assumption that different innovation types relate to one or more managerial, organisational and environmental determinants is confirmed by logistic regression analyses. Implications As such, this study's model can serve as an extensive framework to identify innovation types in and outside a sporting context. Furthermore, the findings provide (sports) policymakers with insights into the innovativeness of (sports) organisations and how they can support it.

Building and Sustaining Organizational Capacity in Voluntary Sports Clubs: Findings From a Longitudinal Study

Despite a rich literature on organizational capacity (OC) in voluntary sports clubs (VSCs), few studies have examined OC building and its long-term sustainability. Against this background, the authors identified changes in OC among VSCs that participated in a club development program and examined the sustainability of these changes. The authors collected survey data 9 months after participation comparing the participating VSCs (n = 62) with similar nonparticipating VSCs (n = 64). A selection of the participating VSCs was then contacted 3–4 years later for a follow-up survey (n = 48) and focus group interviews (n = 5). The results show that (a) significant differences in human resource capacity, planning and development capacity, and infrastructure and process capacity were visible between the participating and nonparticipating VSCs, and that (b) certain changes in OC remain in the clubs 3–4 years after participation. A sustainable change was that core volunteers related differently to the work in their respective VSCs.

Experiences That Matter: Membership Involvement of Young Adult Members in Voluntary Sports Clubs in the Netherlands

Many young people in the Netherlands participate in voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) but stop once they become adults. VSCs lack the ability to transition their youth members to adult members, which threatens the size of the clubs in terms of membership, the income, and the availability of volunteers. This research aims to identify experiences of young adult members that contribute to membership involvement (MI) and intentions to support the club and continue membership (membership commitment). A mixed-method approach consisting of a qualitative and a quantitative study was used. The results showed that young adult members elaborate on a wide range of experiences that predicts MI at four stages of membership. These experiences can be classified into the pleasure when participating in sports (enjoyment), the service and support within the club (care), and the social connectedness among the members (closeness). Moreover, the results revealed that MI performs as a mediator for membership commitment. The conclusion indicates that experiences of young adult members are integrated system, one cannot do without the other. This integrative system of experiences determines membership involvement in all stages of membership, from less than one year to long-term memberships. For clubs it is important to address these experiences because MI is important for the development of membership commitment - loyal and supportive young adult members.

Smeerolie en/of lijm?

Lubricant and/or glue? The role of social network sites in voluntary sports clubs Although almost every voluntary sports club (VSC) in the Netherlands facilitates one or more social network sites (SNSs), the impact on attitude and behaviour of members is under researched. Our study aims to examine whether members’ use of organizational social network sites of their sports clubs (ClubSNS use) is a mediating factor for (1) supporting the sports club, and (2) continuing membership. Building on research among runners, we conducted a conceptual replication study of Mahan III, Seo, Jordan and Funk (2015). Results from a survey among members of voluntary sports clubs (n = 1009) revealed that ClubSNS use was a mediator to supportive and loyal membership. This research demonstrates the theoretical potential of organizational SNSs for activating and retaining members. Furthermore, practical implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.

The utility of certification for managing the state-voluntary sport club relationship: an agency theory perspective

ABSTRACT Rationale/Purpose: Certification is an institutional mechanism that may, indirectly, have utility for managing the challenges that are likely to be present when the state and voluntary sport clubs (VSCs) connect for sport development. Design/Methodology/Approach: A hermeneutic-dialectic approach guides the adoption of agency theory to conceptualize the state as principal and VSCs as its agents, and to consider agency problems of information asymmetry and divergent interests. Findings: The potential for VSC certification to counter agency problems through harmonization of interests, VSC signaling and reporting of quality and professionalization, state screening and monitoring, and confidence-building through quality assurances, are discussed. Practical Implications: The challenges of certification further inform implications for its indirect application for effectively managing the VSC-state relationship. Research Contribution: The paper advances the limited consideration of both VSC certification and agency theory in the sport literature, combining them for new insights into the potential role of certification for government and community sport relations.

Digitalization in organized sport – usage of digital instruments in voluntary sports clubs depending on club's goals and organizational capacity

PurposeThe intention of this paper is to identify the scope and purpose of the use of digital tools in voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) and to identify club-specific factors that influence their usage behavior.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted among VSCs in Austria and in Germany (n = 787). To answer the key questions, patterns of digital use in VSCs were analyzed in relation to the overall organizational goals and organizational capacity. In addition to the description of the clubs' usage behavior patterns, a multiple linear regression model (blockwise) and quantile regression models were estimated.FindingsThe descriptive results show that digital instruments are most used in the areas of “internal/external communication” (93.7%) and “to report membership data to federations” (82.1%). The OLS and quantile regression models indicate that user behavior is primarily influenced by the following factors: the goals of “commitment/success in competitive sports” and “cooperation with other institutions”; the organizational factors “digital processes do not fit with our club culture”, “proportion of volunteers with administrative tasks”, “we do not yet have a clear digitalization strategy for our club” and “lack of financial resources for necessary IT investments”.Originality/valueDigital technologies appear to be promising for organizational development in VSCs. However, what the usage behavior of digital instruments in VSCs currently is, and by which factors this usage is influenced, has not been the focus of empirical analysis yet. The study provides initial insights into the understanding of digitalization in VSCs that can be used for consulting and ongoing research.

Shifting dominant logics? The organisational field of Finnish sport clubs in the 2010s

This research, which draws upon the new institutionalist approach, investigates the changing dominant logics of voluntary sport clubs in Finland. Data were collected by conducting 41 semi-structured expert interviews with sport clubs and obtaining club documents. Results reveal a widening range of roles, networks, and participant pathways, as well as an increasingly formalised operation and diversified language-use. As a result, many clubs have experienced challenges in maintaining their legitimacy when operating in new domains that diverge from their traditional operations. The findings reflect growing expectations placed upon sport clubs and their shifting roles across the public, private and third sectors. Further, it is argued that understanding the logics of all three sectors have become necessary in order for sport clubs to run successfully. The findings will be of interest to federations, institutes providing tertiary education, as well as to clubs that are in the process of refining their profile.

The relevance of migration background for volunteer engagement in organised sport

The article deals with the question of whether and in what respect the migration background is a relevant variable on voluntary engagement as well as the access to leadership positions in organised sport. The database used for the analysis is the ‘4th wave of the German Voluntary Survey 2014’. For the analysis, a sub-sample was generated, which performs voluntary work in sport (n = 4,419). In addition, the group of migrants within this sub-sample was divided into four more specific groups, using `immigration experiencè and `German citizenship´ as the distinguishing characteristics. Bivariate analyses show that people with a migration background have a lower rate of voluntary engagement and that they are also less likely to have a leadership function in voluntary sports clubs (VSCs). However, a more differentiated analysis reveals that the group of migrants is by no means homogeneous: Migrants who were born in Germany and have German citizenship show the highest level of voluntary engagement in sports among migrants in general. Multiple regression analyses indicate that the differences between the migrant groups with regard to volunteering in organised sport remain largely stable even if other individual resources are considered. Subsequently, migration-specific characteristics such as immigration experience and German citizenship contribute to the forecast of volunteering in sports.

Tweet, share, like? De rol van sociaalnetwerksites van sportverenigingen bij de ontwikkeling van het clubgevoel van leden

Tweet, share, like? The role of social network sites at voluntary sports clubs in developing membership involvement The number of organizations that use social network sites (SNSs) for internal communication is growing rapidly. However, little is known about the use and perceptions of SNSs in member organizations, such as voluntary sports clubs (VSCs). In a survey, members of the Dutch VSCs (n = 129) were asked about their use and perceptions of their clubs’ social network sites (ClubSNSs) and aspects of involvement with their club. Foremost, ClubSNSs are characterized as informative, interactive, and entertaining channels, as indicated by significant relationships with the content types on ClubSNSs. Furthermore, content about sports, the club, and the members are important. Finally, ClubSNSs contribute to membership involvement through the identification of members with their sports club. The main contributions of this study are the insights into the use and perceptions of SNSs in member organizations, such as VSCs. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Practices of German voluntary sports clubs to include refugees

In view of the current migratory movement of refugees to Europe, voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) are often regarded as important drivers in ensuring refugees’ participation in social life. As interest organisations, VSCs produce their services in order to satisfy their members’ interests. This study analyses the practices that VSCs have developed in order to make sports services accessible to refugees. In this study, 37 German VSCs were selected and analysed indepth using a qualitative research approach. The findings reveal that VSCs often develop unconventional practices to include refugees beyond the established routines of the club work and adopted diverse practices: some VSCs have built up cooperation with other organisations to provide sport services in refugee accommodations. Some club practices consist in establishing so-called ‘refugee training groups’ which operate separately from other training groups. Finally, there are VSCs that have enabled refugees to participate in regular training groups.

Performance Appraisal Criteria of Coaches According to the Age Group of the Athletes and the Level of Sports Competition

The purpose of our study was to analyse how coach performance appraisal frequency and criteria vary according to the age group of the athletes and the level of sports competition. To that end we surveyed a sample of 223 coaches of voluntary sports clubs in Madeira, Portugal, using an individual and anonymous questionnaire. Although in general coach performance appraisal was not treated as a systematic and structured process by the sports clubs, we did find significant differences between coaches of young athletes and coaches of adults, and between coaches at the regional level and coaches at the national/international level, with respect to the importance of sports results as a coach evaluation criterion. The study suggests applying structured practices in coach performance appraisal and a different approach to assessment according to the age group and specific context of the competition.

Social capital and social ties in organisations: a case study of two voluntary sports clubs

PurposeIf social capital is understood as the ability to access resources through social ties, it is clearly important to understand how people form social ties and what types of ties they form. Research has sought to do this, but it has seldom directly examined how organisations shape these processes and outcomes. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth, comparative case study research was conducted at two voluntary sport organisations in the UK, involving 23 in-depth interviews and participant observation over a 15-month period.FindingsThe case studies showed how key organisational practices structured, in meaningful ways, people’s opportunities for interaction and the nature of that interaction, shaping the ways in which they formed ties and exchanged resources. The organisations fostered the formation of both strong and weak ties, but also “compartmentally intimate” ties.Research limitations/implicationsThe research challenges individualistic, rational choice accounts of tie formation, highlighting the role of organisations as brokers. In addition, interviewees’ accounts challenge well-accepted distinctions between strong and weak ties, by demonstrating the importance of ongoing, context-specific interaction.Originality/valueThis research offers a rare, direct insight into the role of organisations in shaping people’s ongoing social relationships. In doing so, it problematises existing conceptualisations of social capital and social ties and highlights an alternative, organisationally embedded, process-based perspective on social capital.

Investigating Grassroots Sports’ Engagement for Refugees: Evidence From Voluntary Sports Clubs in Germany

Unprecedented numbers of refugees have affected European society at large, and the organized sports system, in particular. Combining the concepts of organizational capacity and institutional logics, this article examines the engagement of voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) in the process of refugee integration. Drawing on data from a representative sample of n = 5,170 German VSCs through an online survey, the results indicate that 28% of the VSCs reported engagement in the process of integrating refugees by the end of 2015; however, only 14% initiated concrete measures. The statistical analysis highlights the relevance of institutional logics. VSCs are encouraged to carefully handle the tension between business-like management and intensive voluntary work during the integrative process. Financial capacity appears less relevant; the presence of migrant club members and a more professional organizational design, however, appear beneficial. The results imply that involved stakeholders should intensify capacity building programs in the structural dimension of organizational capacity.

A critical discourse analysis of a local enactment of sport for integration policy: Helping young refugees or self-help for voluntary sports clubs?

An increasing number of scholars argue that politicians’ ill-defined policies of sport for integration are difficult to realize and, paradoxically, can lead to a sense of alterity and exclusion. This paper provides a micro-analysis of the ‘slippage’ between government visions of sport for integration for refugees and the local, contextual interpretations of sport policy for inclusion. From a critical constructivist perspective, influenced by critical race theory, it examines policy enactment by asking: ‘How did sport for integration of young refugees get talked and written about in a voluntary sports club?’; ‘How did this language in use construct the practices that became locally naturalized?’; and ‘What ideologies were underpinning these realities’? Findings from the critical discourse analysis revealed that local enactments of policy for integration were mostly built upon assimilationist ideas that can exclude, rather than integrate, refugees, and did ideological work to uphold racialized hierarchies in sport. Alternative visions of integration (such as two-way processes of integration or ideas about celebrating cultural diversity) were rationally marginalized in the everyday business of the voluntary sports club, namely, competitive sport. The findings contribute to the literature that claims VSCs may be unsuitable arenas for integration initiatives aiming to provide meaningful physical activity for refugee youth.

Social inclusion in sports clubs across Europe: determinants of social innovation

Based on the multi-dimensional framework of Damanpour and Schneider [2006. “Phases of the Adoption of Innovation in Organizations: Effects of Environment, Organization and Top Managers 1.” British Journal of Management 17 (3): 215–236], the purpose of this study is to identify the managerial, organizational and environmental determinants of social innovation, depicted in terms of the amount of special initiatives initiated for specific target groups. while considering the initiative's type (i.e. administrative versus technical). A lognormal double hurdle model, on a sample of approximately 5000 voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) from 9 different European countries, indicates significant effects for each level. In particular, positive managerial attitudes and public support through both financial and infrastructural resources are important predictors for a VSC to adopt special initiatives towards a target group. Furthermore, differences between determinants of administrative and technical initiatives are found. These results call for measures in terms of resource support from sports policy-makers at European, national and regional levels, along with the need for VSCs to meet the demands from neglected target groups.

“We want more diversity but…”: Resisting diversity in recreational sports clubs

Participation in sport is highly valued by governments and policy makers. Policies and programs encourage participation of populations who are underrepresented in sport. In many countries sport participation is possible primarily under the auspices of voluntary sports clubs, many of which name demographic diversity as an organizational value. Underrepresented population groups continue to lag, however, in participating in sports clubs. Change has been slow in coming. Relatively little research focuses on resistance by those in positions of leadership to the entry or involvement of underrepresented or marginalized population groups into sports clubs. The purpose of this paper is to develop insight into why change may be so slow in coming even though demographic diversity is purportedly highly valued. Drawing on Raby’s (2005) conceptualizations of practices of resistance, on empirical research on diversity in recreational sports clubs and on work by Foucault, the authors identify six discursive practices that those in positions of leadership in sport clubs draw on to resist diversity: speech acts, moral boundary work, in-group essentialism, denial/silencing, self-victimization, and bodily inscription. The authors conclude that resistance to diversity in sport clubs has emerged from a confluence of discourses that enable noncompliance at the micro level with the use of a macro-level discourse of diversity.

The influence of voluntary sports clubs on the management of community sports facilities in Denmark

ABSTRACTIn this article, we use institutional theory to investigate how the role of the manager of Danish community sports facilities (CSFs) was initially defined and then developed from when the first CSFs were established in 1890 until 2017. We focus on three periods: The formative period (1890–1920), the confirmative period (1960–1980) and the challenging period (1997–2017). We conclude that the expectations for the manager’s role were initially defined by the needs and wishes of voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) and, further, that these expectations were stable throughout the two following periods. The management of CSFs has primarily been concerned with technical aspects such as budgeting, maintenance and cleaning, while the sporting activities in the CSFs have been the responsibility of the VSCs. Based on the analysis, we discuss how the managers of CSFs could handle current challenges such as an excess of available timeslots, cutbacks in subsidies and a maintenance backlog. We conclude that it is questionable whether the managers can provide the solutions to these, as their role seems to remain stable primarily due to a persistent pressure from VSCs to maintain the status quo for the role of the manager – i.e. that the manager should primarily focus on the need and wishes of the VSCs. Finally, we argue that if the aim is to make it possible for the manager to handle the challenges, the municipalities should consider to change the way municipalities allocate subsidies to CSFs.

Child Protection in Voluntary Sports Clubs in Germany — Factors Fostering Engagement in the Prevention of Sexual Violence

Based on the theoretical framework of organisational capacity and using data from an online survey of 8571 sports clubs in Germany, this study investigates clubs’ engagement towards child protection and the prevention of sexual violence. Only half of the clubs indicate that the prevention of sexual violence is a relevant topic for them, and on average, the clubs have implemented between two and three prevention measures. Pertaining to organisational capacity, human resource capacity (e.g. share of volunteers, share of women on the board) and structural capacity (e.g. club culture) exhibit significant effects on clubs’ activation towards child protection.

Do public subsidies and facility coverage matter for voluntary sports clubs?

In many countries, voluntary sports clubs are the main recipients of public subsidies regarding the provision of recreational sport, and the economically most important level of government is usually the local government (i.e. the municipalities). The purpose of this article is to examine whether and how municipal framework conditions matter for sports clubs. Inspired by previous studies, we examine the role of direct and indirect public subsidies as well as facility coverage. The authors conduct analyses on a general level (for all sports) and specifically for five sports (badminton, football, gymnastics, handball and swimming). The differentiation between sports allows us to examine how municipal framework conditions might be associated differently with density and participation across sports. In the statistical analyses, the authors apply data collected among all 98 Danish municipalities. The results show that the municipal levels of direct and indirect subsidies are weakly correlated with both the density of and participation in sports clubs, while stronger correlations can be identified with regard to facility coverage. The analyses for the five sports reveal that the supply of relevant facility types is – with few exceptions – positively correlated with sports club density and participation levels within each sport. Thus, facility coverage seems to play a more important role for sports clubs than the levels of indirect and particularly direct subsidies.

Professionalization of voluntary sport organizations – a study of the Quality Club Programme of the Norwegian Football Association

ABSTRACTResearch Question: This research investigates Norwegian football clubs’ participation in the Quality Club Programme (QCP) as a case of professionalization consisting of two stages – short term: more education, knowledge and documentation as well as better skills and improved organizational structure; long term: potential problems related to bureaucracy and full-fledged professions. In light of this distinction, the researchers ask the clubs why they take part in QCP and what they want to get out of it. This paper also invites reflections on the more troublesome part of voluntary organizations’ participation in processes of professionalization. Finally, we explore what the clubs understand to be the driving forces behind the programme and discuss whether these factors are conducive to the aims that the clubs have for their participation.Research Methods: The data comprise semi-structured interviews with 22 football clubs analysed by theme-based coding and categorization.Results and Findings: Clubs take part in QCP because they are expected to (i.e. institutionalization), to increase their autonomy and to improve their control over important resources: volunteers (i.e. resource dependency). To achieve this, the clubs see better routines, more predictability and improved structure as imperative. This study’s results show that what clubs report as making the programme function does not always work in favour of the clubs’ aims.Implications: The findings indicate that broad, multi-institutional approaches and action-oriented theories are necessary for understanding the choices and actions of voluntary sport clubs. Also shown is how the tools chosen for organizational development could be contrary to organizations’ aims.