Understanding Sport Organizations provides a strong foundation in organizational theory and organizational behavior and addresses how that theory is applied in a real-world context. It engages readers by providing opportunities to discover the theory in practice.



The classic groundbreaking text for understanding organizational theory in the sport industry is back in an extensively revised new edition. With an added emphasis on organizational behavior and practical applications of the theory, Understanding Sport Organizations: Applications for Sport Managers, Third Edition, provides a logical progression to understanding the many components of and processes in sport organizations. Readers will gain a strong theoretical foundation while learning how it applies within the context of the ever-changing field of sport management.

In this third edition, new chapters incorporate critical concepts that sport managers in the current era must be familiar with:

• Different policy types and the responses of sport organizations to policy
• Perspectives of marketing of sport and marketing through sport
• Control in sport organizations
• Sex and gender in sport organizations
• Volunteer management in sport
• Dimensions and assessment of governance in sport organizations
• Mental health difficulties and management strategies within sport environments
• Applying statistical analysis to support analytic decision making in sport
• Corporate social responsibility
• Procurement and sport organizations

To facilitate comprehension and application, each chapter opens with a list of key concepts and a real-world, contemporary scenario to demonstrate the relevance of theory and behavior in the sport industry. Time Out sidebars offer accounts from actual sport organization situations or from research findings to further illustrate issues being discussed. Chapter summaries and review questions are provided to stimulate discussion about the central issues from each chapter. Key Issues for Sport Managers boxes highlight how chapter content is applied at the level of sport manager, and closing Case for Analysis examples allow readers to directly apply information from each chapter.

Real-world examples throughout the text provide opportunities for additional exploration and application of relevant concepts. Every chapter references key articles that build on the foundational framework presented and includes suggestions for further reading within general management and sport management literature. This thorough presentation of subject matter will guide readers to a greater and more practical understanding of core issues.

Synthesizing modern conceptual and empirical research from many fields of management into a practical, engaging look at the sport management field, Understanding Sport Organizations: Applications for Sport Managers, Third Edition, is an invaluable resource for students and current practitioners alike.