Netzwerktheorie

Sparsam, Jan

doi:10.1007/978-3-658-07558-3_5

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While they acknowledge the invitations from the top-level federations and appreciate them-similar to the club coaches-as a sports-related distinction, they try to remain neutral regarding the players' decisions for a national team. This finding is particularly relevant as it refers to the conceptualisation of networks as "exchange systems" [26]. Surprisingly, the interviews do not provide any evidence that an exchange of relevant knowledge takes place between the players' agents and the young athletes regarding specific decision-making aids that relate to their migrant backgrounds and chances to play for a national team.…”

Section: Players' Agentsmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…In the present study, we assume that the decision to join a national team, like social action in general, is considered "highly dependent on the relational structure (assumed to be relatively stable) between actors" [26] (p. 117). So-called "sociograms" can be used to examine the relationship structure between the relevant actors [18,27].…”

Section: Network Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through these "ties", people or groups enter into exchanges with each other [7,25]. Networks are conceptualised as "exchange systems" oriented towards the "circulation of resources and information" [26] (p. 119).…”

Section: Network Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Impact of Social Networks on the Choice to Play for a National Team in Football

Seiberth

Thiel

2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the course of their careers, elite athletes are faced with crucial decisions. This applies particularly to adolescent athletes who additionally have to cope with a variety of age-related developmental tasks. For young top football players with a migrant background, this can be even more challenging as they often attract the interest of national associations. From a network-theoretical perspective, it can be considered likely that the decision to join a top national association is not taken independently of the players’ networks. This article addresses the role of network actors within the players’ decision-making process. Our analysis is guided by constructivist network theory and based on a qualitative research approach that used guided expert interviews as its core research tool. Ten interviews with German-born youth internationals with a migrant background were conducted. The present analysis reveals several network actors such as family, coaches and players’ agents involved in the ‘national team question’. Evidently, most relevant networks of players with a migrant background are sports-related. These networks turned out to be highly functionalized and leave only limited room for manoeuvring. At the same time, the interviews reveal ‘structural holes’ within the players’ networks and indicate a considerable need for the optimization of talent counselling.

show abstract

Section: Players' Agentsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Network Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%