A highly recommended resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive introduction to sport management

Derrick Charway
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

The Encyclopedia of Sport Management, edited by Paul M. Pedersen and published in 2021, presents an impressive collection of knowledge about sport management, offering insights in ways that many other books on the subject have not attempted. It covers 523 topics authored by 249 contributors from 26 countries, demonstrating a broad interdisciplinary approach.[1] This approach reflects the complexity of sport management, a field that increasingly draws on diverse areas of scholarship to address the evolving needs of the sport industry.

The content is organised alphabetically, providing a first-look overview of various contemporary issues in sport management. This structure allows readers to access specific topics and quickly gain an introductory understanding of a wide range of topics. The book draws from numerous academic disciplines including organisational management, organisational sociology, economics, marketing, media, information and communication technology, sport psychology, policy and politics, and development studies. Additionally, it includes contributions from less frequently discussed areas in sport management, such as geographical and religious studies.

For instance, readers might find themselves shifting abruptly from a discussion of “Crisis Management” to “Critical Race Theory”, or from “Diplomacy” to “Disability in Sport”, or “Religion” to “Reputation Management”, without a clear thematic or conceptual transition.

One of the key strengths of the book is its willingness to tackle contested and often overlooked subjects in sport management. Issues such as gender, globalisation (including the related concepts of “glocalisation” and “grocalisation”), sexuality, and LGBTQ+ topics are given significant attention, offering readers a platform for reflection. These discussions are timely and relevant, particularly given the increasing focus on inclusivity and diversity in sport. By exploring these topics, the book invites readers to engage with some of the most pressing ethical and social issues in contemporary sport management. This is crucial for both students and professionals who need to be aware of these debates in order to foster more inclusive and equitable sporting environments.

In addition to these contested topics, the book also covers a wide range of contemporary issues that are shaping the future of sport management. Topics such as groupthink, growth hacking, hazing, hospitality, human rights, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport management provide readers with a comprehensive view of the modern challenges facing the sport industry. The inclusion of COVID-19 is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects the ongoing adjustments that sport organisations and managers have had to make in response to the pandemic. This responsiveness to current events highlights the book’s relevance and utility as a reference work, particularly for those new to the field who need to understand how external forces can shape the management of sport.

The encyclopaedic format of the book excels in offering an accessible introduction to many complex concepts and theories, explaining their origins and evolution in a clear and concise manner. This is especially useful for readers who may be unfamiliar with certain theoretical frameworks. A notable feature of the book is its inclusion of insights from a variety of theoretical perspectives, including feminist theories, post-colonialism, post-structuralism, critical race theory, organisational theory, social cognitive theory, social learning theory, and social identity theory. By integrating these theories into discussions of sport management, the book underscores the field’s interdisciplinary foundations and encourages readers to approach sport management from a variety of intellectual angles.

The encyclopaedia also offers practical guidance on research methodologies, making it an indispensable resource for students and early-career researchers. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are discussed, with practical guidance on how to conduct sport management research. The book delves into research techniques, from data collection and analysis to research design and the formulation of research questions. This is particularly helpful for those who are new to academic research in sport management, as it not only provides an overview of the research process but also draws on examples from past studies to illustrate best practices. The discussion of reflexivity in the research process further enriches the reader’s understanding of how personal biases and perspectives can influence research outcomes, an important consideration in any academic field.

However, as with many encyclopaedic works, the Encyclopedia of Sport Management is not without its limitations. The alphabetical arrangement, while useful for quick reference, can disrupt the continuity between related topics. For instance, readers might find themselves shifting abruptly from a discussion of “Crisis Management” to “Critical Race Theory”, or from “Diplomacy” to “Disability in Sport”, or “Religion” to “Reputation Management”, without a clear thematic or conceptual transition. Readers looking for an immersive exploration of certain themes may find it frustrating to jump between topics that are not thematically connected. This is a common issue in reference works of this kind, where the primary aim is to provide accessible overviews rather than detailed thematic narratives.

Another setback is the potential for bias in the scope and depth of analysis. In this case, much of the content were drawn from a USA perspective, which may limit its applicability to international contexts. Per my observation, this is perhaps unsurprising, given that 113 out of the 170 contributing institutions and independent scholars are based in the United States. While this reflects the prominence of American scholarship in sport management, it also highlights a need for more diverse global perspectives. Readers from outside the USA may need to seek additional sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how sport management operates in different cultural and political contexts. That said, the USA-centric focus does not detract from the overall value of the encyclopaedia, but it is something to bear in mind for readers looking for a truly global perspective.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Encyclopedia of Sport Management remains a valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners alike. Its breadth of content, combined with its interdisciplinary approach, makes it an ideal starting point for those new to the field. The book provides a solid foundation upon which readers can build their knowledge. However, due to its function as an encyclopaedia, readers are advised to supplement it with more in-depth articles or books on individual topics of interest, particularly if they are looking to gain a deeper understanding of specific areas within sport management. The language used throughout the book is another strong point. The editor and contributing authors have ensured that the text is readable without sacrificing academic rigour. This makes the book particularly suitable for students or practitioners who are new to the field of sport management, as well as for those who may not have a background in the academic disciplines from which many of the concepts are drawn. The clarity of the language helps to demystify complex theories and ideas, making them easier to understand and apply in practical contexts.

Finally, it is worth noting that a second edition of the Encyclopedia of Sport Management was published in 2024. This update addresses one of the key limitations of encyclopaedic works: the tendency for content to become outdated. In a rapidly changing field like sport management, where new issues and challenges are constantly emerging, frequent updates are essential. The second edition ensures that the encyclopaedia remains a relevant and up-to-date resource for both current and future readers. To sum up, the Encyclopaedia of Sport Management is a highly recommended resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive introduction to the field. While it may not provide the depth required for specialised study, it offers a solid foundation for further exploration and serves as a significant starting point for those looking to deepen their knowledge of sport management.

Copyright © Derrick Charway 2024

Footnote

[1] This review is based on the first edition of the book. Since that is no longer available, information below the cover (above) refers to the second edition, as do the links to bookstores in the Further reading section. The second edition has 285 completely new entries and updates on 325 original entries, and the number of contributors exceeds 350. A full list of entries is provided at the publisher’s website.