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Networking as a cornerstone within the practice of social entrepreneurship in sport
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sport Science. Malmö university, Sweden.
2019 (English)In: European Sport Management Quarterly, ISSN 1618-4742, E-ISSN 1746-031X, Vol. 19, no 1, p. 120-137Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Research question: The aim of this study is to understand and discuss how networking can be manifested in a sport organisation characterised by social entrepreneurship.

Research methods: The qualitative data on which this study rests consists of seven semi-structured interviews (totally, ca. 600 minutes). Some interviewees were members of the organisation in question, while others represent various partner organisations. Supplementary data was added in the form of various written sources (e.g. annual reports).

Results and Findings: The social entrepreneurial sports organisation's networks encompass many actors from all societal sectors, and the networks themselves may assume many forms (e.g. social, institutional and reputational), as may the character of the cooperation involved. The study shows that several of the networks are characterised not only by a common desire to attain a win-win situation but also by mutual dependency. Through its use of networks, the organisation has reduced its dependence on financial support, a dependency which otherwise tends to burden social entrepreneurial organisations. Thus, the networks enable the organisation to continuously develop its social ambition to improve people's social values through participation in a wide range of sporting and outdoor activities.

Implications: This study contributes to a broader understanding of the significance of networks. The results indicate that it is necessary to consider other network types than solely social networks. Besides this, practitioners can transfer a number of the networks described to their own organisations. Consequently, the study constitutes a potential source of inspiration for sports organisations.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2019. Vol. 19, no 1, p. 120-137
Keywords [en]
Networks, relational mix, social responsibility, sports organisations, welfare triangle
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences Economics and Business
Research subject
Social Sciences, Sport Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-78814DOI: 10.1080/16184742.2018.1546753ISI: 000458978900007Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85057232145OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-78814DiVA, id: diva2:1263301
Funder
The Kamprad Family FoundationAvailable from: 2018-11-15 Created: 2018-11-15 Last updated: 2020-10-24Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Idrott som medel – inte som mål: Förutsättningar för socialt entreprenörskap inom idrotten
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Idrott som medel – inte som mål: Förutsättningar för socialt entreprenörskap inom idrotten
2020 (Swedish)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Alternative title[en]
Sport as a means - not as a goal : Preconditions for social entrepreneurship in sport
Abstract [en]

In sport management research, little attention has been paid to the relatively new concept of social entrepreneurship. In short, the concept refers to innovative methods of creating and satisfying social values through sport. However, research has shown that social entrepreneurs in sporting contexts are having difficulties in creating sustainable businesses. In addition to that the economic preconditions for social entreprenurial undertakings are uncertain, more research is needed on the general preconditions for conducting social entrepreneurship in sport. Hence, the aim of this compilation thesis, which consists of five papers, is to examine and analyse the preconditions for conducting social entrepreneurship in sport. The thesis is divided into two parts. In the first part, the subject of research (i.e., social entreprenurship in sport) is presented and defined. This is done by contextualising social entrepreneurship, analysing previous research on social entrepreneurship in sport, theoretically defining the concept and describing some research ethical issues that might arise in studies of social entrepreneurship. The second part of the thesis consists of three empirical studies of organisational, economic and political preconditions for conducting social entrepreneurship in sport. The findings from this thesis are based on an extensive literature review and five case studies in which multiple methods of data collection were used (interviews, documents and observations). The first paper, Sport and social entrepreneurship: a review of a concept in progress, shows that research on social entrepreneurship in sport is limited, the concept is seldom defined and sometimes used in ways more similar to philanthropy or corporate social responsibility. Also, sport only plays a minor role in the reviewed literature. The second paper, Ethical considerations in researching sport and social entrepreneurship, discusses some of the ethical dilemmas that have occurred when researching social entrepreneurship in sport. These dilemmas can, for example, be related to the principle of confidentiality. The third paper, Social entrepreneurship, sport and democracy development, offers an explanation of how to understand the “social” dimension in the concept of social entrepreneurship in sport. The social is ultimately about democracy in the sense that the participants are recognised, are given influence and are included in the organisation and in its community. The fourth paper, Networking as a cornerstone within the practice of social entrepreneurship in sport, focuses on how social entrepreneurial sport organisations can achieve economic sustainability by using their networks. The analysis shows, for instance, that the network of a social entrepreneurial sport organisation encompasses many actors from all sectors of society, and that the networks themselves assume many forms. The fifth and final paper, Swedish sport policy in an era of neoliberalism: An expression of social entrepreneurship?, provides an analysis of political preconditions for conducting social entrepreneurship in sport in Sweden. The paper, for example, argues that some political initiatives in the Swedish sport policy can be regarded as social innovations, since these aim to both solve certain identified social problems in society in general (e.g., social inclusion), or in sport in particular (e.g., making sport activities more accessible by lowering costs). In sum, this thesis contributes with: (a) empirical examples of social entrepreneurial sport organisations; (b) a theoretical understanding of the “social” dimension of social entrepreneurship in sport; (c) an ethical discussion on the role of researchers; and (d) a starting point when discussing the Swedish government support for sport.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malmö: Malmö universitet, 2020. p. 254
Series
Malmö Studies in Sport Sciences, ISSN 1652-3180 ; 34
Keywords
Development through sport, Network theory, Research ethics, Social innovation in sport, Sport and social responsibility, Sport for development, Swedish sport policy, Welfare triangle
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Social Sciences, Sport Science
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-93100 (URN)978-91-86295-91-2 (ISBN)978-91-86295-90-5 (ISBN)
Public defence
2020-02-07, D 138, Nordenskiöldsgatan 10, Malmö, 13:15
Available from: 2020-04-17 Created: 2020-03-24 Last updated: 2021-09-10Bibliographically approved

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Bjärsholm, Daniel

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