Sports Governance / Sports Governance

The Academic Board of Business Administration, Esbjerg
Teaching activity id: 9264701.
Teaching language: English.ECTS / weighting: 7,5 ECTS / 0.125 full-time equivalent.
Examination language: English.
Exam activity id: 9264702.Approved: 29-09-17.
Period: Spring 2018.
Grading: External examiner.
Assessment: 7-point scale.
Offered in: Esbjerg.
Subject director:
Associate Professor Chris Horbel, Department of Sociology, Environmental and Business Economics.

Prerequisites:
Students who take the subject are expected to meet requirements, equivalent to a bachelor degree in business or economics.


Purpose:
In relation to the study programme’s qualification profile, the subject explicitly focuses on:
imparting knowledge about the sports industry and about the application of organizational, managerial and (micro)economic theories on problems regarding governance in the sports business which is based on the highest international research within economics and management science;
enhancing skills in assessing theoretical and practical problems regarding governance in the sports system, in justifying possible solutions to these problems on the basis of advanced business economics theories, and in communication of research-based knowledge.

Content - Key areas:
The purpose of the subject is achieved by the fact that the subject contains the following areas of study:
  • The concept of governance in general and in the sports sector
  • Governance theories
  • Organization and governance in international sports
  • The role of sports associations as pseudo governments
  • Rules of sport business and contests: economics, institutions, implementation, enforcement and sanctions
  • Governance within profit-oriented sports clubs and companies
  • Governance within non-profit sports organizations
  • Fairness, ethics and good governance: specifics of the sports sector

Goals description (SOLO taxonomy):
After having participated in the module the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate knowledge within the subject topic, by being able to describe different state-of-the-art governance theories as well as sports economics theories and concepts.
  • demonstrate skills by being able to analyze governance problems in the sports industry by application of advanced organizational, managerial, and sports economics theories in combination with microeconomic methods, by being able to reflect upon existing governance systems in sports markets and organizations from a theory-driven perspective and provide solutions on specific problems of the sports industry, as well as by being able to discuss and communicate actual research-based knowledge.

Literature:
The subject is based on the following reading material:

Selected chapters from:

  • Késenne, S. (2014). The Economic Theory of Professional Team Sports: An Analytical Treatment (2. Ed.). Edward Elgar. Downward, P., Dawson, A., & Dejonghe, T. (2009). Sports Economics. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
  • Beech, J., & Chadwick, S. (Eds.). (2013). The Business of Sport Management (2 ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
  • Selected articles and case materials (max. 600 pages).


Time of classes:
Fourth quarter every spring.

Scheduled classes:
4 (2×2) lecture hours a week for 8 weeks

Form of instruction:
The student’s learning of knowledge is based on studies of literature. This learning is supported by lectures of which the aim is to help in the understanding of difficult areas and to provide an overview of and a linkage between subjects. Further, interactive elements like group exercises, group discussions, and case studies support the students’ learning by training the students in applying their knowledge and skills independently or in groups. In doing so, students are supported in evolving competencies as stated in the goals description.

These teaching activities result in an estimated distribution of the work effort of an average student as follows:
Activity
Hours
Participation in lectures
32
Reading literature and preparation for lectures
95
Preparation for and participation in exam
60
Total
187

Time of examination:
June and reexamination in January.

Registration for the course is automatically a registration for the ordinary examination in the course. Cancellation is not possible. If the student does not participate in the examination, the student will use an examination attempt.
The university may grant an exemption from the rules in case of exceptional circumstances.
Examination form at the re-exam can be changed.

Form of examination for the certificate:
Take home

Supplemental information for the form of examination:
The student’s achievement of the learning goals will be tested by an examination planned as a 24-hour-take-home assignment. Using a case from the sports industry or an appropriate research article as base for some specific questions, it should be verified whether the student meets the goals described above.

Duration: See the plan for exam. The assignment will be handed out at 12.00 (noon) in Black Board and must be handed in at 12.00 (noon) the next day.
Place: No restrictions.
Internet access: Necessary.
Distribution of assignment: Through Blackboard.
Submission of examination paper: Via SDU-assignment in Blackboard.
Number of pages: The assignment must not exceed 4,000 words. “Formalities for written assignments applying to Programmes in economics and business administration”
Examination aids: All examination aids are permitted.

The examination can be taken in Danish or English. If the teacher is not Danish-speaking, the exam must be taken in English. In all other cases, Danish-speaking students are allowed to attend the exam in Danish (that is – to answer the questions in Danish) regardless that the language of instruction has been English. According to §6 in the executive order on examinations, the university is allowed to grant exemptions from the rule that an examination must be conducted in the same language as the language of instruction.


Programmes:
MSc in Economics and Business Administration - Sports and Event Management
Spring Semester, 2. quarter, mandatory. Offered in: Esbjerg
MSc in Economics and Business Administration - Marketing and Innovation
Spring Semester, 2. quarter, elective subject. Offered in: Esbjerg