This paper examines the diffusion of environmental management initiatives in business and the motives and pressures reported by senior executives to adopt these practices in one industry. We frame these sustainable practices under the umbrella of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and examine the causal drivers of environmental behavior. This study used a mixed-methods approach and included a survey and 17 in-depth interviews with professional sports team and league executives. Data revealed both strategic and legitimacy motives to adopt environmental management practices. More specifi cally, the analysis suggested that strategic motives were the primary reason for adopting an environmental CSR focus. Motives to address institutional pressures were also found, although to a lesser extent. The paper discusses the role and relevance environmentally focused CSR plays in professional sport organizations in North America and presents suggestions for future research in this area.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an area of increasing importance for many companies. Professional sport teams, also, are increasingly engaging in socially responsible activities (Irwin, Lachowetz, Cornwell, & Clark, 2003;Kern, 2000;Robinson, 2005). The research described in this article identifies, and determines the relative importance of, the drivers-both internal and external-of socially responsible activities by professional sport teams. Using a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with sport executives, and organizational documents were analyzed. The data showed that external drivers of CSR, in particular key constituents, the interconnectedness of the field, and pressures from the league were more important determinants of CSR initiatives than the internal resources available to deliver CSR efforts (i.e., attention, media access, celebrity players, coaches, facilities). Based on these preliminary findings, we propose a framework of CSR adoption in professional sport that predicts the types of CSR initiatives a sport organization is likely to adopt depending on its internal and/or external orientation and present a research agenda based on the framework.Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has received considerable attention in the academic literature as the role that CSR plays in business has grown. The focus of academic research has been on identifying the link between financial and social performance (Margolis & Walsh, 2003). While the evidence of this relationship remains unclear, it does point to a positive association. Rather than continuing to focus on the financial-social performance relationship, Margolis and Walsh (2003) argued that researchers should shift their lenses and focus on the context, processes, and outcomes of CSR. This article follows this call by exploring contextual forces, internal and external to the firm, that lead organizations to become more socially responsible. Using an inductive research approach, we found Oliver's (1991) The purpose of this article is to explore and prioritize the forces that result in professional sport organizations engaging in CSR activities. By doing so, we hope to contribute to our understanding of the diffusion of this phenomenon such that it will be well grounded for future research. In addition, we explore the relationship among the determinants of CSR in sport and how they are related to the type of CSR initiatives that are adopted. The article is organized as follows, we: (1) present a brief overview of relevant aspects of the CSR literature; (2) highlight some socially responsible initiatives undertaken by professional sport organizations; (3) address what is unique about the sport industry, as it relates to CSR; (4) present preliminary research concerning the substantial diffusion of CSR in professional sport; (5) propose a determinants of CSR adoption in professional sport framework; and (6) present a research agenda that builds on the proposed framework. Next, we provide an overview of relevant elements of the CSR...

corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, professional sport industry,

This research examines challenges associated with partnerships among a group of cross-sector organizations. The context for this study is a nonprofit organization in Canada's 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.

Interorganizational relationships have become increasingly important for sport organizations. The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants and conditions of partnership formation in a group of collaborating nonprofit, public, and private organizations. A conceptual framework that includes the determinants of legitimacy, stability, necessity, asymmetry, reciprocity, and efficiency were used. Conditions including interdependence and presence of an interpersonal network were also explored. This research employed qualitative methods to examine partners’ reasons for developing interorganizational relationships in a sport context. For the collaborating organizations, the determinants of legitimacy, stability, reciprocity, and efficiency prevailed as important motives for relationship formation. These findings help to refine and apply contemporary theory to sport management and can be used to help manage interorganizational relationships.