Innovation in soccer clubs : the case of Sweden

• During a number of years soccer clubs have experienced environmental changes. Globalization, commercialization and professionalization affect clubs at all levels, even if in various scope and magnitude. When environmental changes occur in the general business sector, usually there are major calls for entrepreneurship and innovation. This is often followed by research in attempts to contribute to knowledge and further innovation activities. Hence we can find numerous studies. However, currently it seems as if “Soccer business” does not follow the same pattern. Or does it? One problem is that there are few scientific studies on innovation in soccer clubs. Thus, we do not know very much.This paper attempts to gather what we know but also critically reflect upon current state-of-the-art. Since there is a shortage of empirical research, this paper also reports from an ongoing study on innovation in Swedish elite soccer clubs. The general research approach could be described as an ethnographic endeavor into the world of Swedish elite soccer. By picking up pieces here and there at meetings, games, seminars, interviews, and so on, I gradually build knowledge on “what is going on” and “what do they think they are up to?”.The empirical material is presented in relation to four innovation options identified in the literature: adding new products/services, changes in business model, new ways to manage the team and organize the team around the team, and rethinking what the business is all about. The study shows that there are a lot of innovations going on in Swedish soccer clubs but also that there seems to be several ways to improve both what is being done and how.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Soccer

Football

Innovation

Ledarskap, entreprenörskap och organisation

Ledarskap, entreprenörskap och organisation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)