Kathy Babiak

Challenges in Multiple Cross-Sector Partnerships

This research examines challenges associated with partnerships among a group of cross-sector organizations. The context for this study is a nonprofit organization in Canadas sport system and its numerous partners in public, nonprofit, and commercial sectors. The results reveal challenges in the areas of structure and strategy. Specifically, data uncover structural challenges with respect to problems with governance, roles, and responsibilities guiding the partnerships and with the complexity of partnership forms and structures. The data also uncover strategic challenges, in light of the focus on competition versus collaboration among various partners and the changes in missions and objectives through the duration of the relationship. The results and implications for nonprofit organizations involved in multiple cross-sector partnerships are discussed.

Criteria of effectiveness in multiple cross-sectoral interorganizational relationships

As the popularity of interorganizational relationships (IORs) grows, the challenge of evaluating the effectiveness of achieving desired outcomes has emerged as a concern for both practitioners and academics [Atkinson, M., & Maxwell, V. (2007). Driving performance in a multi-agency partnership using outcome measures: A case study. Measuring Business Excellence, 11(2), 12-22; Callahan, K., & Kloby, K. (2007). Collaboration meets the performance measurement challenge. The Public Manager, 36(2), 9-24; Coulson, A. (2005). A plague on all your partnerships: Theory and practice in regeneration. International Journal of Public Sector Management 18(2), 151-163.]. The purpose of this paper is to empirically compare the effectiveness criteria used by a nonprofit Canadian sport organization and its partners embedded in multiple cross-sectoral relationships. To that end, three levels of effectiveness criteria were investigated: the community, network, and organization levels. A qualitative case study was conducted on the nonprofit sport organization and its multiple cross-sectoral partners. The results suggest that some criteria for measuring IOR effectiveness among partners were highly interrelated, some reflected competing values, some were shared across all partners, and some were ambiguous in the measures of effectiveness of IOR outcomes. Implications for future research and for practice are discussed.

Adopting A Relationship Marketing Paradigm: The Case of the National Basketball Association

This paper explores the adoption of a relationship marketing paradigm by the National Basketball Association. A contextualist framework was used to explore the context, content and processes of this change that evolved over a 17-year time period. Personal interviews were conducted with leaders of this league and over 80 documents were reviewed and content analyzed. The results of this study provide insights into relationship marketing and organizational change for sport managers.

Beyond Sponsorship: Re-Framing Corporate-Sport Relationships

The purpose of this paper is to draw from broader management and marketing literature to provide a framework for assessing interorganisational relationships between sport organisations and corporate sponsors. This proposed framework seeks to extend current perceptions of the reasons and objectives for linkages between corporate sponsors and sport properties. Relationship marketing is an integral element of this framework, given its importance to the internal readiness of firms to enter into and manage long-term relationships, and to assist potential partners as they seek to find the best fit to meet their immediate and strategic objectives through interorganisational linkages. The intended contribution of this paper lies in its identification of three broad elements for consideration by sport organisations and potential or existing corporate sponsors. These elements include: context (external, internal), mutually derived benefits, and varying strengths of relationships. The theoretical underpinnings for each of the three elements, and the justification for their inclusion in this framework are discussed.

Organizational Changes in Canada's Sport System: Toward an Athlete-Centred Approach1

Abstract Prompted by an examination of the sport system, a reorientation of priorities and actions around high performance sport has occurred in Canada. One of the important changes has been a shift away from the administrative aspects of sport delivery to a focus on the development of high performance athletes. This shift has meant that more resources are now invested directly in high performance athletes rather than in the administration of sport organizations. The purpose of this paper was to explore the reorientation in priorities, from the bureaucracy of sport to the athletes and their development. Using Pettigrews contextualist approach, we examined the content, context, and process of changes that led to the introduction of athlete-centred initiatives in Canadas sport system. Evidence of the change included increased representation of athletes on decision-making committees of sport federations, increased athlete funding, the creation of training centres, and a forum for athletes to resolve disputes with coaches and sport federations. The change to a more athlete-centred system was the result of pressures originating from the external and internal environments. Key individuals also played an important role in the athlete-centred change. The application of Pettigrews approach allowed us to discuss the nature of the changes that took place and to better understand the complexity of the change process in light of pressures originating from the context. This paper allowed us to reflect on the reorientation in Canadian sport from a focus on the structural and bureaucratic development of the system to an athlete-centred approach. We also discussed system-wide changes occurring in Canadian sport and uncovered the factors that led to greater athlete-centred programs and services.

The role and relevance of corporate social responsibility in sport: A view from the top

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) represents behaviors that have increasingly strategic importance to many companies. CSR has been defined as a companys commitment to minimizing or eliminating any harmful effects on society and maximizing its long-term beneficial impact (Mohr, Webb, & Harris, 2001). The purpose of this paper is (a) to improve our understanding of how North American professional sport league executives view CSR and (b) to consider how CSR activities contribute to these leagues. Interviews with four senior league executives provide perspective as to the role and relevance of social responsibility in North American professional sport. The paper discusses the impact of leadership on CSR and relates the topics covered from institutional, strategic, and stakeholder perspectives.

Managing inter-organisational relationships: the art of plate spinning

Partnership management remains an underexplored area in academic literature, and empirical studies on the nature of interaction between organisations involved in relationships are few. This study empirically examined how multiple organisations in a cross-sectoral partnership used both formal controls and informal (social) processes to manage their relationships. This research employed qualitative methods to explore the extent to which both formal and informal processes were relied upon by individuals responsible for managing partnerships. Partnership managers in this study felt that formal controls such as defined objectives and strategies, division of costs, risks, and returns, and support and control mechanisms such as contracts and reporting structures limited interaction between organisations, and thus were not extensively employed. Participants reported that to a great extent, informal processes such as trust were used to ensure the effective interaction between organisations to allow the objectives of the relationship to be met. Recommendations for practitioners and future research are provided.

The role of social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sport industry

This introduction to the special issue of the Journal of Management & Organization on social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sport industry frames the key issues sport businesses, corporate partners, and related nonprofi t organizations grapple with to ensure that both the organizations and the social causes which are being addressed benefi t in some way. The importance of social responsibility is fi rst examined in the context of corporations and sports. The increasing importance of social issues to sport-related industries and the role of strategic philanthropy is discussed. Next, the connection between social responsibility and philanthropic endeavors is addressed in terms of social entrepreneurship. Finally, the article concludes by highlighting the increased signifi cance of sport in society and how the articles in this special issue contribute to a better understanding of the role of social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in sport.

Understanding strategic corporate environmental responsibility in professional sport

This study sought to understand how teams and leagues in professional sport in North America understand, position, and deploy environmentally focused CSR practices. We conducted interviews with sport executives and executives from consulting, advisory, non-profit and partner groups. Data revealed that teams and leagues viewed their environmental practices as being strategic and as playing a key role in the teams’ and leagues’ core CSR activities. We also uncovered some of the tangible and intangible benefits for the teams and leagues as a consequence of adopting environmentally responsible initiatives. We determined and integrated the perceived strategic benefits of environmentally responsible actions by considering whether these efforts were based on defensive factors (e.g., risk management to manage social legitimacy) or value adding factors (e.g., enhancing market demand from customers and fans). We present practical implications and discuss directions for future studies in the area of environmental responsibility.

Examining Positive Affect and Job Performance in Sport Organizations: A Conceptual Model Using an Emotional Intelligence Lens

In this conceptual article we introduce a model examining emotional intelligence (EI) and its effects on job performance in team sport. Moreover, we propose that both coaches and athletes actively engage in emotional labor (EL) as a means to performing in their respective job roles. A conceptual model linking EI to EL, positive affect, and subsequently job performance is introduced to serve as a conceptual foundation for better understanding the role of EI in sport. Concurrently, research propositions are introduced linking EI to job performance. Finally, implications for future research and practice, as well as potential limitations, are discussed.