Routledge Handbook of Theory in Sport Management

Theory is an essential element in the development of any academic discipline and sport management is no exception. This is the first book to trace the intellectual contours of theory in sport management, and to explain, critique and celebrate the importance of sport management theory in academic research, teaching and learning, and in the development of professional practice.

Written by a world-class team of international sport management scholars, each of whom has taken a leading role in developing a particular theory or framework for understanding sport management, the book covers the full span of contemporary issues, debates, themes and functional approaches, from corporate social responsibility and diversity to strategy, marketing and finance. Every chapter explores a key theoretical approach, including an overview of that theory, a discussion of the process of theory development and of how the theory has been employed in research, practice or teaching, and outlines directions for future research in that area. Each chapter includes cases and examples, as well as short illustrative commentaries from people who have used that particular theory in their work, and attempts to highlight the theory-practice links, or gaps, in that area.

For a fully-rounded understanding of what sport management is and how it should be studied, taught and practiced, a thorough grounding in theory is essential. The Routledge Handbook of Theory in Sport Management is therefore important reading for all advanced students, researchers, instructors, managers and practitioners working in this exciting field.

George B. Cunningham (PhD, The Ohio State University) is a Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University, USA. He is the Marilyn Kent Byrne Chair for Student Success and the director of the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport. Author of over 180 articles and book chapters, Cunningham conducts research in the area of diversity and inclusion in sport and physical activity, group processes, and employee attitudes. He is the author of an award-winning book (Diversity in Sport Organizations), recipient of the Dr Earle F. Zeigler Award, and former president of the North American Society for Sport Management.

Janet S. Fink is a Professor in the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Her research interests include the marketing of women’s sport and female athletes, sport consumer behaviour, and diversity issues in sport. Fink is a NASSM Research Fellow and has published in top sport management journals (including the Journal of Sport Management and Sport Management Review) as well as outlets outside of sport (e.g. Sex Roles, Group Dynamics), and her research has been cited in popular press outlets, such as Elle Magazine, the Washington Post, Huffington Post Live, and ESPNW.

Alison Doherty is a Professor in the Sport Management programme in the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Her research focuses broadly on the management of non-profit and community sport, and particularly sport and event volunteerism, group dynamics and organisational capacity and innovation. Doherty is the Editor of Sport Management Review and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Sport Management. She is a NASSM Research Fellow and recipient of the Dr Earle F. Zeigler and Dr Garth Paton Distinguished Service awards.