How Does Value Creation Manifest Itself in the Nexus of Sport and Business? A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Sport is a widely used as a vehicle for promoting business. Global brands invest tens of millions of euros in high performance athletes, top teams, and popular sporting events. Studies have also shown the potentiality of sport in the business context. However, relatively few studies have focused on the interaction of business and sport from a value-creation perspective. Knowledge focusing on value creation within and through sport is scattered throughout literature and a systematic understanding of how value creation manifests itself in a business context is lacking. Using a systematic literature review and inductive analysis of 44 empirical studies, the article presents six identified topics that represent the various angles to value creation in the nexus between sport and business. The topics are 1) the many shades of value, 2) brands and sponsorship as value-creators, 3) the value of CSR in and through sport, 4) sport as a network and platform, 5) sport for developing organisations internally, and 6) value congruence and identification. The article contributes to both business management and sports management. The article proposes theoretical and managerial implications and identifies avenues for further research.

The Value of E-Sports Is in the Eye of the Beholder, But Can E-Sports Operators Influence What the Spectators See?

“…There are several studies available on the value-creation ecosystems that have formed around traditional sports (e.g. Woratschek et al, 2014;Jalonen et al, 2018), but research on the value creation and the means of value justification linked to e-sports are notably scarce. Without underestimating the risks or over-emphasising the benefits related to e-sports, the present conceptual and theoretical article considers the societal discussion revolving around e-sports to be a reflection of the incommensurability of different means of value justification.…”

Leadership development across the lifespan through sport and physical activity

“…And, that indeed, business can learn from sport some competencies as interpersonal relationships, communication or the holistic view of ideal performance state. These findings have given rise to a new line of research based on the influence of sport on leadership (Frawley et al, 2018;Jalonen et al, 2018;Ryan and Dickson, 2018;Sepp€ anen, 2020;Thornton and Etxebarria, 2021;Trapp, 2013;Vilhelmsdottir et al, 2016;Wallenberg, 2021) Some of these studies are focused on the comparison of sport leaders and sport managers, either in terms of leadership styles (Wallenberg, 2021) or the comparison between team structures and group dynamics (Vilhelmsdottir et al, 2016). There is also, a growing interest from the gender perspective that focus on the development of women leadership based on their participation in organized sports (Thornton and Etxebarria, 2021;Trapp, 2013), or that analyses leader women athletes to explore differences and similarities between men leaders and women leaders (Hood, 2015;Wright and Côt e, 2003).…”

“…During the last years, business leaders have manifested an increasing interest in learning from the sport sector, proof of this are the increasing number of athletes and coaches who participate in leadership programs offering their insights and experience transferable to business (Gordon, 2007;Gould and Voelker, 2010;Frawley et al, 2018;Jones, 2002Jones, , 2008. Consequently, the research around the lessons transferable from sport to business has reached more interest (Burnes and O'Donnell, 2011;Frawley et al, 2018;Jalonen et al, 2018;Ryan and Dickson, 2018;Sepp€ anen, 2020;Thornton and Etxebarria, 2021;Trapp, 2013;Vilhelmsdottir et al, 2016;Wallenberg, 2021).…”

Sports Management Knowledge, Competencies, and Skills: Focus Groups and Women Sports Managers’ Perceptions

“…In fact, sports are a powerful driver of sustainable development, playing a crucial role in the promotion of inter-and intra-sectorial development, peace, tolerance, respect, equality, health, social inclusion, and education [10]. Furthermore, sports events attract billions of people, becoming a unique platform of convergent interest of several stakeholders (e.g., spectators, athletes, coaches, staff, clubs/associations, fans, managers, leaders, governing bodies, policy institutions, and the actors in the business and media sectors), and the perfect avenue for sport-related entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship [11,12]. To respond to the rapidly changing employability demands in society and to ensure sustainable competitiveness and social fairness, the five-year European Skills Agenda plan has been established [13].…”