Abstract:The meaning and nature of athlete representation in sport governance is broad and goes beyond formalistic delegate models and voting rights accounts. This article explores the meaning and nature of representation in the context of intercollegiate sport governance. Interviews were conducted with intercollegiate athlete representatives and athlete representative administrative advisors to gain an understanding of how and why athlete representatives carried out their roles. Findings revealed that the meaning and … Show more
“…Valiente does so by showing how gender quotas not only increase the representation of women on board, but also stimulate awareness of gender inequality issues more broadly. Similarly, Kihl and Schull (2020) demonstrate how the rule-based inclusion of athlete representatives on councils fostered motivation act as representatives for this group as a whole.…”
Section: Gender and Sport Governancementioning
confidence: 91%
“…In contrast to the studies referenced in the preceding, Kihl and Schull (2020), Thibault et al (2010), andValiente (2020) are unique in providing a more fine-grained understanding of the meaning and implications of representation in the context of sport governance. In particular, focusing on representation per se, Kihl and Schull (2020) and Valiente (2020) both draw attention to the constitutive effects of representational structures and practices. Valiente does so by showing how gender quotas not only increase the representation of women on board, but also stimulate awareness of gender inequality issues more broadly.…”
Section: Gender and Sport Governancementioning
confidence: 95%
“…Valiente (2020) and Kihl and Schull (2020, see also Thibault et al 2010) are not focused on the more foundational issue of which representational views are at work in the context of elected sport-governing bodies. Nonetheless, these studies are insightful from the perspective of democratizing sport, but by virtue of their focus on two different social categories, they also illustrate two of potentially numerous representational categories that may come into play in considerations around board composition (see also Stenling et al, 2020).…”
Section: Literature Reviewmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Given the intimate connection between representation and power in governance, remarkably little attention has been given to this topic (see Schull, 2020, andThibault et al, 2010, for important exceptions). This is not to say that representation has not been ascribed significance in sport governance research, including in studies carried out in countries whose systems are moving towards appointed, independent boards (e.g.…”
Contemporary sport governance contexts are marked by a trend towards efficiency-based board composition and an increasing use of instruments aimed to (re)shape boards. Yet, democratic governance is integral to many countries’ sport systems, and research tells us that representation still matters in sport governance. Considering this, the aim with this paper is to provide researchers and practitioners with a vocabulary to understand and address issues of representation in board composition. The paper builds on interviews with nomination committee representatives of 62 Swedish national sport federations (NSFs). The analysis provides insights into the meaning and implications of four distinct views of representation, along with an interpretation of potential responses to board-shaping instruments engendered by these views.
“…Valiente does so by showing how gender quotas not only increase the representation of women on board, but also stimulate awareness of gender inequality issues more broadly. Similarly, Kihl and Schull (2020) demonstrate how the rule-based inclusion of athlete representatives on councils fostered motivation act as representatives for this group as a whole.…”
Section: Gender and Sport Governancementioning
confidence: 91%
“…In contrast to the studies referenced in the preceding, Kihl and Schull (2020), Thibault et al (2010), andValiente (2020) are unique in providing a more fine-grained understanding of the meaning and implications of representation in the context of sport governance. In particular, focusing on representation per se, Kihl and Schull (2020) and Valiente (2020) both draw attention to the constitutive effects of representational structures and practices. Valiente does so by showing how gender quotas not only increase the representation of women on board, but also stimulate awareness of gender inequality issues more broadly.…”
Section: Gender and Sport Governancementioning
confidence: 95%
“…Valiente (2020) and Kihl and Schull (2020, see also Thibault et al 2010) are not focused on the more foundational issue of which representational views are at work in the context of elected sport-governing bodies. Nonetheless, these studies are insightful from the perspective of democratizing sport, but by virtue of their focus on two different social categories, they also illustrate two of potentially numerous representational categories that may come into play in considerations around board composition (see also Stenling et al, 2020).…”
Section: Literature Reviewmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Given the intimate connection between representation and power in governance, remarkably little attention has been given to this topic (see Schull, 2020, andThibault et al, 2010, for important exceptions). This is not to say that representation has not been ascribed significance in sport governance research, including in studies carried out in countries whose systems are moving towards appointed, independent boards (e.g.…”
Contemporary sport governance contexts are marked by a trend towards efficiency-based board composition and an increasing use of instruments aimed to (re)shape boards. Yet, democratic governance is integral to many countries’ sport systems, and research tells us that representation still matters in sport governance. Considering this, the aim with this paper is to provide researchers and practitioners with a vocabulary to understand and address issues of representation in board composition. The paper builds on interviews with nomination committee representatives of 62 Swedish national sport federations (NSFs). The analysis provides insights into the meaning and implications of four distinct views of representation, along with an interpretation of potential responses to board-shaping instruments engendered by these views.
“…Some studies have investigated the role of individual board members, such as the chair (Zeimers & Shilbury, 2020) and athlete representatives (Kihl & Schull, 2020), but this kind of research has traditionally been scarce. As such, there remains a gap in the sports governance literature concerning our knowledge of the roles of different types of individual directors, including supporter directors.…”
Supporter directors are individuals elected to a sports organization's board to represent the interests of its supporters. Although their inclusion on boards is widely considered to be good ethical practice, recent research shows that supporter directors face distinct challenges that often inhibit them from performing effectively. The purpose of this study was to illuminate how supporter directors can overcome these challenges by, firstly, generating a deeper understanding of the roles of supporter directors in Scottish football clubs and, secondly, analysing how board-level social interaction influences supporter directors role performance. The research method consisted of 17 interviews with individuals who are currently serving, or have previously served, as supporter directors on Scottish football club boards. The findings show that supporter directors perceive their role to encompass three elements: (1) promoting supporters' interests in board meetings, (2) acting as a conduit of information, and (3) complying with their fiduciary duties. Drawing on the social exchange theory, the findings then revealed a perception among supporter directors that successful performance of those roles is dependent on their ability to initiate and sustain patterns of reciprocal social exchange with their board colleagues. The research provides practical recommendations for supporter directors and other types of stakeholder representatives on how to improve their performance.
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