Understanding Sports Organizations

Trevor Slack is a widely published authority on sport management and sport organisations. He currently holds the position of Canada Research Chair and the International Institute for the Study of Sport Management. A former competitive figure skater and coach, Milena Parent is working on a PhD in sport management. Her doctoral research relates to organisation theory and strategic management of large-scale sporting events.

ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. Organization Theory and the Management of Sport Organizations-Why Sport Managers Need to Understand Organizations and Organization Theory-Some Definitions-Ways to Look at Sport Organizations-State of the Art in Sport Management and Suggestions for Future Directions-Format of the Book-Format of Each ChapterChapter 2. Doing Research in Sport Management-The Research Process-Theoretical Framework-The So-Called Qualitative-Quantitative Research Debate-Research Design-Data Collection Methods-Data Analysis Methods-Quality Issues-The Write-UpChapter 3. Organizational Goals and Effectiveness-Importance of Understanding Organizational Goals and Effectiveness for Sport Managers-Organizational Goals-Effectiveness or Efficiency-Approaches to Studying Organizational EffectivenessChapter 4. Dimensions of Organizational Structure-Complexity-Formalization-CentralizationChapter 5. Design Options in Sport Organizations-Typologies and Taxonomies-Mintzberg's Configurations-The Simple Structure-The Machine Bureaucracy-The Divisionalized Form-The Professional Bureaucracy-Adhocracy-Organizational Designs As Ideal Types-Notes on Organizational SizeChapter 6. Strategy-What Is Organizational Strategy?-Levels of Strategy-Strategy Formulation and Implementation-Strategy and Structure-Strategy in Voluntary Sport OrganizationsChapter 7. Strategic Alliances-What Are Strategic Alliances?-Establishing Strategic Alliances-Managing Strategic AlliancesChapter 8. Sport Organizations and Their Environments-The Nature of the Organizational Environment-Research on Organizational Environments-Controlling Environmental Uncertainty-Other Perspectives on the Organization-Environment Relationship-The Relationship Between an Organization's Environment and Its StructureChapter 9. Sport Organizations and Technology-What Is Technology?-Research on Technology and Organizations-Critiques of the Technology Imperative-Microelectronic Technologies-Relationship Between Technology and Organizational StructureChapter 10. Power and Politics in Sport Organizations-Strategic Choice-Power and Authority-Sources of Power-Organizational Politics-Power in Sport Management ResearchChapter 11. Managing Organizational Conflict-What Is Conflict?-Horizontal and Vertical Conflict-Is Conflict Dysfunctional to the Operation of a Sport Organization?-The Conflict Process-Sources of Conflict in Sport Organizations-Conflict Management Strategies-Stimulating Conflict-Current Research About ConflictChapter 12. Organizational Change-The Concept of Change-Change As Paradox-Perspectives on Organizational Change-What Causes Organizational Change?-Resistance to Change-Dealing With Resistance and Implementing Change-Stages of the Change Process-Innovation in Sport OrganizationsChapter 13. Organizational Decision Making-Defining Decision Making-Conditions Under Which Decisions Are Made-Approaches to Understanding Decision MakingChapter 14. Managing Organizational Culture-What Is Organizational Culture?-Manifestations of a Sport Organization's Culture-Thick and Thin Cultures-One or More Cultures-Organizational Culture and Effectiveness-Creating, Managing, and Changing a Sport Organization's CultureChapter 15. Leadership and Sport Organizations-Trait Approach-Style or Behavioral Approach-Contingency or Situational Approach-Charismatic and Transformational Leadership-The Critique of Leadership and Some Suggestions for Leadership-Research in Sport ManagementBibliographyIndexAbout the Authors