ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to contribute to the understanding of innovation and crowdfunding of International Olympic Sport Federations (IFs), which are the world governing bodies of their respective sports. Three research questions were addressed: the perceptions of the IFs on the implementation of their innovation programmes during the last four years (2016-2020), the impact of COVID-19 on the IFs capability to innovate, and the crowdfunding strategies of the IFs. A mixed method combining qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. An online semi-structured questionnaire which included an open answer section was completed by IFs executives (n = 22) and an analysis of the information provided by IFs through various content sources was conducted. Results showed that IFs with less funding had a significantly more innovative approach that their counterparts, that the perception of the impact of COVID-19 on the innovative capability was not unanimous, that they identified sport-specific programmes as the most innovative of all initiatives delivered during the pandemic, and that crowdfunding projects were implemented in their sport but mostly at individual and local levels. From a research perspective, since this is the first study that investigates the innovation and crowdfunding strategies of IFs, future directions include the need for further research with national and regional federations on these topics. Practical implications are suggested for IFs to deliver innovative programmes to satisfy their stakeholder needs and to consider new funding methods such as crowdfunding as part of their strategies.
ABSTRACT
This paper assesses the societal benefit of transformative consumer research (TCR) through a descriptive review of articles published in the special issues associated with the TCR conferences, held every two years from 2009 to 2021. Frequency analysis and directed content analysis reveal (1) various societal benefits (knowledge, enhanced awareness, capacity building, and recommendations for improvement or redirection), (2) facilitators and barriers for solution implementation (e.g., definition of a problem-solving orientation to research problems, collaboration with practitioners, and testing and refining of solutions), and (3) well-being issues over time (e.g., climate change and sustainability education, food wastage reduction, healthy food consumption and production, and vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic). This research contributes to the literature in four ways by (1) synthesizing the types and natures of societal benefits of TCR, (2) identifying the most discussed consumer well-being issues over time, (3) assessing the barriers and facilitators for the implementation of solutions that influence societal benefits, and (4) providing a research agenda for improving consumer well-being and enhancing societal benefit. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.
ABSTRACT
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the most relevant innovation strategies used by the Latin American national tennis federations as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The methodology consists of a survey. The survey consisted of three sections apart from the consent one: a general descriptive part, one with 30 questions to assess attitudes and perceptions and a final section which included open questions. After the data were collected, the SPSS software was used to test the distribution of the sample. Findings Results show that executives' perception toward their need for involvement in the decision-making process varies. Research limitations/implications The first limitation relates to the sample size of executives who completed the questionnaire. The second limitation refers to the details provided in the open section of the questionnaire. Specifically, the space allocated for the answers and the degree of detail required could have been optimized by providing further instructions on the importance of facilitating information related to the implementation of the programs. Practical implications The results demonstrate that, although traditional management, organizational and administrative behaviors are still present in the tennis ecosystem, a more innovative mentality should embed these organizations. It is then relevant that sport and tennis organizations commit to the implementation of innovative strategies for the optimization of the administration of their ecosystems. Originality/value The paper adds more understanding to the brand of sports management. Furthermore, the fact of developing the study in a COVID-19 context sheds light on the issues faced by sports in a pandemic like this one.