Innovation in Sport

Bastien Soulé is Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Lyon 1, France, and a member of the Laboratory on Vulnerabilities and Innovation in Sport (L-ViS). Julie Hallé is Associate Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Lyon 1, France, and a member of the L-ViS. Bénédicte Vignal is Associate Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Lyon 1, France, and a member of the L-ViS. Éric Boutroy is Associate Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Lyon 1, France, and a member of the L-ViS. Olivier Nier is Associate Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Lyon 1, France, and a member of the L-ViS.

Acknowledgements ix

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 Theoretical Elements: A Multidisciplinary Framework between Sociology and Management of Innovation 1

1.1 Classical approaches to innovation 2

1.2 Approaches based on uses and users 6

1.2.1 The lead-user theory: the user-innovator 6

1.2.2 Innovation through use: user participation 9

1.2.3 Co-creating value: the consumer at the heart of innovation 10

1.3 The socio-technical approach to innovation: networks and attachment 13

1.4 Critical innovation studies 19

1.5 Lessons learned from resistance to innovation and unsuccessful processes 21

1.6 Conclusion 22

Chapter 2 The Different Phases of Innovation Trajectories 25

2.1 Proposal for an interpretive framework 25

2.2 Breakdown of the methodology 26

2.3 Ideation and invention 32

2.3.1 Innovation program and strategic intent 44

2.3.2 Construction, characterization and evolution of the socio-technical innovation network 50

2.3.3 Key moments in innovation trajectories 59

2.4 Relations with users and the market 64

2.5 Success or failure: assessment of the innovation project and effects on the organizations 72

Chapter 3 Detailed Accounts of Three Sports Innovation Trajectories 83

3.1 The dualski: making downhill skiing accessible to people with disabilities 84

3.1.1 Technical description of the device 84

3.1.2 Ideation: at the intersection of several actors and projects 86

3.1.3 Innovation program: towards the empowerment of disabled people 90

3.1.4 Composition and dynamics of the innovation network surrounding wheelchair skiing 90

3.1.5 Relations with users and the market 100

3.1.6 Conclusion 103

3.2 The Booster Elite calf compression sleeve from BV Sport: innovating to promote recovery and prevent injuries 104

3.2.1 Presentation of the product 104

3.2.2 Ideation phase 106

3.2.3 Innovation program and strategic intent 107

3.2.4 Construction, characterization and evolution of the socio-technical network 108

3.2.5 Key moments in the innovation trajectory 115

3.2.6 Compromises made by BV Sport: between science and market realities 118

3.2.7 Market and user relations 119

3.2.8 Conclusion 124

3.3 Hyperion 7: innovating in the field of video recording sports events 125

3.3.1 The invention phase: the collective emergence of an idea that is less original than adequately problematized 128

3.3.2 The creation of an innovation network focused on the issue of security 131

3.3.3 A network of territorialized actors with its own rules 138

3.3.4 A deliberately delayed step: starting a business 140

3.3.5 The business model envisaged 143

3.3.6 Early and unexpected prospects for diversification 144

3.3.7 A dizzying prospect 147

3.4 Appendices 148

3.4.1 The company Booster Veines Sport (BV Sport) 148

3.4.2 Strategic intent 149

3.5 Sources used 149

3.5.1 Tessier Dualski 149

3.5.2 BV Sport compression sleeve 151

Conclusion: Recommendations for the Management of Sports Organizations 153

References 161

Index 175