The game in between competitions : A study of sport associations and its managers

Abstract: The aim of the thesis is to further our knowledge of the similarities/differences in the goals of sporting associations and how idealism and managerialism influences this at a municipality level. The demand on today‟s sport managers to offer the entertainment industry a commercial product and to provide to the developing of society in the fostering of its youth has called our attention to this topic. This study is based on a qualitative case study, where five semi-structured interviews were conducted with the sport managers from four different sports. Our findings are presented against the theoretical model of Institutional logics provided by Hallgier Gammelsaeter (2010), and the recurring themes identified in our finding pertaining to the notions of idealism and managerialism are highlighted. Our results of the study shows that, although strong alliances to the logic of idealism are present in all associations, especially with regards to the social responsibility and fellowship aspects, there are managerial influences within these associations, however to different degrees. Furthermore, the study has shown that there is interdependence between professional activities and youth development programs.