Fostering Interorganizational Linkages in the Canadian Sport Delivery System

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and extent of interorganizational linkages between the partners involved in Canada's sport delivery system. Given the changes in the economic context of the 1990s and the ensuing fiscal restraints exercised by both government and the private sector, amateur sport organizations are in a period of high uncertainty. In order to deal with this uncertainty, links between organizations like governments, nonprofit sport organizations, and private sector organizations need to be established, fostered, and maintained. Organizations need to collaborate with each other in order to fulfill their objectives. Linkages between organizations will assist in the sharing of resources and in the coordination of work-related activities. In the paper, a number of examples of existing links between governments, nonprofit organizations, and private organizations are presented. Based on resource dependency theory, strategies such as contracts, joint ventures, and co-optation for establishing new interorganizational linkages are discussed. As well, related issues such as power struggles, loss of autonomy, asymmetrical relationships, and conflicting loyalties are addressed and discussed. Questions for future research also are proposed.

Examining the dissemination of innovations in the sporting goods industry.

“…From a sports perspective, the sport system may include players, teams and coaches, governing bodies, and sports media personnel (Stem, 1979). These system members combine to form the system, and they are connected via linkages (Thibault & Harvey, 1997). Other groups included in the sport system are consumers, sponsors, and strategic partners.…”

“…Researchers have examined systems and the effects of changes within them in a variety of fields, including agriculture (Bawden, 2007;Meter, 2007), transportation (Tay, Bobby, & Lim, 2007), education (Berman & McLaughlin, 1973;Datnow & Stringfield, 2000;Lasky, 2010), business (Knoke, 2001;Pfeffer & Salancik, 2003;Senge, 2006), and politics (Knoke, 2001). They have also applied systems theory to sport (Chelladurai, 2005;Thibault & Harvey, 1997).…”

“…Multiple organizations exist within the sport system such as teams and leagues (Chelladurai, 2005), governing bodies (Stern, 1979), media (Chelladurai, 2005;Stern, 1979), corporate sponsors (Thibault & Harvey, 1997), and government agencies (Thibault & Harvey, 1997), to name a few. Thibault and Harvey (1997) described the system as "the involvement of a number of organizations, operating at different levels, participating in a 'coordinated' fashion in the achievement of their goals and objectives" (p. 45).…”

“…Thibault and Harvey (1997) described the system as "the involvement of a number of organizations, operating at different levels, participating in a 'coordinated' fashion in the achievement of their goals and objectives" (p. 45). To meet their goals, sports organizations within the system come together and engage in various activities.…”

“…To meet their goals, sports organizations within the system come together and engage in various activities. These activities may include hosting and broadcasting sporting events, sponsoring teams and activities, promoting healthy living through sport, and developing new sporting goods and services (Thibault & Harvey, 1997). Thibault and Harvey (1997) used system theory to examine the Canadian amateur sport environment.…”