Thierry Zintz

Organizational performance of Olympic sport governing bodies: dealing with measurement and priorities

It is widely recognized that the performance measurement of organizations should help them in their strategic decisions and in their capacity to evaluate their successes. This measurement is, however, lacking in the sport governing bodies from the French speaking Community of Belgium. This paper proposes a model to measure organizational performance by considering objectives distributed among five main dimensions: sport, customer, communication and image, finance and organization, which are measured by quantitative performance indicators. The focus of the paper is on governing bodies of Olympic sport (n = 27) and the model measures their strategic objectives and operational goals. In addition, the priority that the Chairs of 13 Olympic sport governing bodies attach to each dimension and each objective is assessed. Finally, there is a discussion of the comparison of their priorities and their organizational performance, which leads to the identification of four strategic orientations.

Pathways to high performance: a Qualitative Comparative Analysis of sport governing bodies

Nonprofit organizations are facing increasing pressure to become more performance oriented. Most research in this area has focused on the effects of a variety of independent variables on performance with little research focusing on combinations of factors that impact on performance. This article focuses on sport governing bodies from Belgium and measures and assesses their strategic goals and potential determinants of performance. Due to the small N-sample and the causal complexity inherent in this research, a crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (csQCA) was carried out which highlighted three pathways associated with high performance. High performance could be delivered by sport governing bodies that develop innovative activities for their members and are proactive in elite sport services; or that develop innovative activities and involve paid staff in decision-making processes; or that involve committed volunteers in decision-making processes and delegate activities they are not able to deliver themselves.

A financial management tool for sport federations

Purpose This study aims to develop a tool to manage financial performance of sport federations. It stimulates thinking about the necessity for non-profit sport organisations to develop financial performance measures and management to survive and/or to grow. Design/methodology/approach Adapting the Ritchie and Kolodinsky (2003) model of factor analysis through financial ratios in the sport federation context, we develop a framework for financial performance measurement of sport federations in Belgium for the years 2001 through 2006. Findings Based on a principal component analysis, six financial performance-related categories were constructed, i.e.: (1) public funds dependence; (2) financial balance; (3) attraction of resources; (4) financial budget; (5) member services investment; and (6) elite services investment. They form the basis of a dynamic strategic management tool where financial categories are related to each other. Research limitations/implications The financial management tool can be a starting point for further organisational (performance) research. Differences and similarities between countries (e.g., sport policy priorities) and sport organisations (e.g., sport profiles) could be better investigated through our financial performance framework. Practical implications The tool developed should help strategic volunteers and managers of sport federations to take strategic decision relying on financial information in order to pilot their organisation and to communicate with their stakeholders. Originality/value Developing financial performance measurement of non-profit sport organisations is challenging and considerably different from for-profit and non-profit organisations. It provides researchers and practitioners with a viable model for analysing financial strategy and performance of sport federations over time. Keywords: financial management, financial performance, sport federations, financial management tool

Determinants of service innovation: a typology of sports federations

The increasing commercialisation of the sports sector and changing consumer demands are some of the issues that create challenges for non-profit sports in contemporary society. It is important for managers and marketers of these organisations to innovate because innovation is a way to grow within a competitive environment and to meet customers’ expectations. The present study aims to develop an explorative typology of sports federations based on their attitudes and perceptions of determinants of innovation and their innovation capacity. A cluster analysis suggested three clusters with different responses towards service innovation: traditional sports federations, financially secure sports federations and competitive sports federations. Sports federations perceiving competition in terms of financial and human resources, favouring change and paid staff involvement in decision-making processes, and with negative economic perceptions are significantly more innovative. These findings have implications for the management and marketing of non-profit sports organisations.

Combinations of key determinants of performance in sport governing bodies.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on possible combinations of the key determinants of high performance in sport governing bodies (SGBs) which go well beyond the net effects of independent variables.Design/methodology/approach – The research focused on 18 sport governing bodies from the French‐speaking community of Belgium (CSGBs). Their strategic goals are emphasized and their potential determinants of performance are measured and assessed. Due to the small n‐sample and the causal complexity inherent in this research, a crisp‐set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) was performed.Findings – Three generic combinations of the key determinants linked with high performance were highlighted. The first was high‐performing CSGBs that provide innovative activities for their membership and are proactive in elite sport services. The second was other high‐performing CSGBs of large size that involve paid staff in decision‐making processes and also develop innovative activities. The third was small‐s...

Do non-profit sport organisations innovate? Types and preferences of service innovation within regional sport federations

Little is known about innovation in the non-profit sport sector. The current research addresses this gap by questioning whether and to what extent sport federations innovate. It aims to identify types of innovation implemented by sport federations and their attitude and preferences towards innovation. An online questionnaire was administered to a sample of key representatives (i.e. Chair, Secretary General or Directors) of regional sport federations in Belgium (n = 101; 70% response rate). Directed content analysis of the service innovations described by respondents reveals ten different types of sport and non-sport service innovations. Results suggest that membership size and categories of sport influence preferences in knowledge creation/appropriation, and ultimately the type of innovation developed. This paper also suggests that sport federations are driven by demands by members in meeting their expectations of new services and are not risk averse. On average, the sport federations surveyed have a positive attitude towards newness that favours innovativeness. The current study would help researchers to advance further into the knowledge of service innovation in non-profit organisations. It should act as a foundation for research and practice on specific types of service innovation in sport. Managers should realise the importance of attitude for innovation and use the suggested typology to provide new services in different categories and meet members’ expectations.

World Anti-doping Agency: a meta-organizational perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) through the theoretical framework of meta-organizations that focusses on organizations that are themselves made up of organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The data are drawn from a unique case study based on interviews with WADA experts and documentary analysis. Findings – The authors analyzed WADA through the organizational and strategic dimensions of meta-organizations, which are themselves each defined by two criteria: the mission and scope of the organization vs the hierarchical stratification and decision-making process. The findings suggest that the WADA can be examined through the lens of meta-organizational theory. The criterion of consensus in the decision-making process has already been put forward by scholars, but it needs to be nuanced in the study since it is not the only process used by WADA in its decision-making. Research limitations/implications – The paper enhances the understanding of a specifi...

Jacques Rogge—The Quest for New Olympic Values

Jacques Rogge chaired the IOC and was a key actor of the Olympic Movement for 12 years (2001–2013). Observers consider that his presidency would be one putting all efforts on Olympic values and ethics. He faced the growing professionalization of sport, worldwide economic crisis, climate changes, the power of media and many other challenges like doping, betting, match fixing and the gigantism of the Games. Rogge’s signature management clearly appeared at the end of his presidency: the IOC, which is at the heart of a complex system, requires the strategic vision provided by its commissions and the solid management provided by the Olympic administration in order to safeguard new values.

Multi-level analysis of institutional formation and change: The case of the Paralympic movement

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level mechanisms of institutional formation and change and, in particular, how this occurs through the interplay of multi-level mechanisms? This is answered with a processual analysis of the International Paralympic Committee which is the international governing body of sports for people with an impairment. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a case-study approach based upon archival records, collected in relevant national and international sport organizations. More than 2,700 pages of archives were gathered, some of them being accessible to researchers for the first time. Embargo was also successfully lifted on recent and sensitive documents. Findings This study highlights multi-level mechanisms involved in institutional change processes triggered by a shifting institutional logic at the organizational field level. This paper also shows how field logic shifted at the moment of alignment between the societal, field and organizational levels. Moreover, it underlines how societal discourses influenced processes of institutional change by shaping the range of organizational actions available at the organizational and field levels. Originality/value This paper proposes a rare account of institutional change processes in which interplay between the societal, field, and organizational levels is analyzed. Furthermore, this paper provides a longitudinal investigation of an under-researched empirical setting, the Paralympic movement. Finally, this study integrates insights from the disability studies’ research field, which significantly deepens this analysis.