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This study develops and tests a measure for perceived vulnerability to occupational fraud and examines the relationship between organizational capacity and perceived vulnerability to fraud in community sport organizations. Drawing on the opportunity dimension of fraud triangle theory and the concept of organizational capacity, the study identifies a number of risk and protection factors for vulnerability to fraud. Board members of community sport organizations in Australia, Germany, and North America were surveyed (n = 1,256). The results offer a reliable and valid scale assessing vulnerability to fraud in community sport organizations consisting of procedural and financial dimensions. The regression analyses indicate a set of risk factors for vulnerability to fraud, including the presence of paid staff, high annual and unbalanced budgets, and owning sport facilities. Protection factors include strategic planning, relationships with other institutions, and trust within the board. This knowledge can be used to design antifraud education and training resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the prevalence of fraud occurrences in community sport organizations (CSOs) and compares the organizational characteristics of CSOs that have and have not experienced fraud. The empirical analysis relies on online survey data gathered in Canada, the United States, Australia, and Germany (n = 1256). Respondents were asked if organizational fraud had occurred in their CSO in the last ten years. In the full sample, 12.2% of organizations had experienced some type of fraud. The results showed occurrences of fraud were significantly higher among organizations that support the local community, have a high annual budget, possess grant income, and perform large and complex financial transactions and among those who lacked policies for handling assets and cash. In contrast, occurrences of fraud were significantly lower in organizations with a relatively small annual budget, a plan for the education and professional development of board members, and at least two individuals handling cash or checks. The analyses of geographic subsamples not only partially echoes the results for the full sample, but also shows further significant differences. The findings reveal that fraud occurrence across subsamples does not follow a clear pattern, demonstrating that prevention measures should be tailored based on geographic and organizational context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engaging in strategic planning may help leaders of community sport organizations (CSOs) to develop strategic thinking as well as build capacity to sustain and expand their programs despite environmental uncertainty. This study proposes a framework for understanding how the membership growth strategies of CSOs are shaped based on their environment. Semi-structured interviews with presidents of CSOs, alongside analysis of strategic plan documents, were used to identify strategic imperatives that CSO leaders considered when formulating their organizational strategies. These imperatives were grouped into two dimensions: organizational readiness for growth and environmental dynamism. These dimensions were then juxtaposed to create a matrix of four strategic approaches: Trailblazers, Enhancers, Maintainers, and Carers. Each approach is described in detail and implications for strategic management in community sport are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of interorganizational relationships in amateur sport has developed significantly over the past 30 years alongside rising expectations for multisector integration between sport organizations and other partners. This stems from sport organizations seeking innovative ways to achieve their mission and neoliberal government policies adding institutional pressure for interorganizational cooperation. This review paper discusses the wider cultural and political forces that shape the drive for legitimacy through partnerships across sector boundaries and outlines the theoretical influences on interorganizational relationship research in amateur sport between economic and behavioral paradigms. In addition to considering how prevailing frameworks and findings inform the current body of knowledge in sport management, we critically reflect on implicit assumptions underpinning this work given that partnerships now saturate the discourse of sport management policy and practice. Our review questions whether reality lines up with our "great expectations," and explores what limitations and opportunities remain for future interorganizational relationships research in amateur sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents are central stakeholders within the youth sport context, yet their own health and well-being can be compromised due to the extensive commitment required to support their child's sport development. Against a backdrop of transformative sport service research and eudaimonic well-being, the study presents an autoethnography of my experience as a parent attempting to subvert the traditional role of parent–spectator by engaging in "sideline" physical activity simultaneous to my child's sport. A secondary purpose is to identify the program and facility design attributes within the community sport environment that facilitate or inhibit the well-being of parents via simultaneous participation. This study highlights how the lines between researcher and subject can be blurred to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and strengthen well-being through mastery, autonomy, personal growth, interpersonal relations, and self-acceptance. Through lived experience and personal voice, I hope that my story will open new possibilities for transformative practices within community sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interorganizational relationships are a well-established practice among nonprofit youth sport organizations seeking to acquire key resources and improve service efficiencies. However, less is known about how broader trends in the nonprofit sector influence their utilization. Guided by Austin's collaborative continuum and resource dependency theory, this study analyzed how interorganizational relationships are utilized by different nonprofit youth sport organizations in one American context. The results indicate that high-resource organizations primarily utilize philanthropic and transactional forms of collaboration, whereas integrative collaboration is more likely among low-resource organizations. The discussion draws on resource dependency theory to provide theoretical insight into this association, as well as the implications for collaborative value generated through interorganizational relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adults may face stigmatization in sport settings that undermines this otherwise identity enhancing form of leisure, LGBT-focused sport groups provide a supportive setting for sport participation. We examine facets of ego involvement (e.g., identity affirmation, social bonding) as predictors of sport group behaviors (e.g., practice participation, volunteering) with 228 LGBT-focused sport group participants. Over time, the more identity affirmation needs were met, the more people took part in sport-related social activities. Further, the more participants' identity expression needs were met, the more they attended practice. Enhanced social bonding from sport club participation predicted increased social event attendance. Finally, identity affirmation predicted greater social event attendance for men and those with higher levels of internalized homophobia. LGBT-focused sport participation helps meet important psychological needs, leading to enhanced sport organization-supportive behaviors. The contributions of this study to leisure and ego involvement research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale/purpose: This case study examined how board members' actions, experiences, and priorities influenced the strategic management process related to the pursuit of community sport development in a local sports council. Design/methodology/approach: The study incorporates interviews, document analysis, and active-member researcher observations with stakeholder theory to provide insight from multiple stakeholders into the role of the board of directors in the strategic management process. Findings: Despite good intentions, the Council was not able to effectively utilize a strategic management process to foster community sport development due to unrealized stakeholder buy-in to the Council's philosophy, reduced board collaboration, and strong self-interest driving an agenda towards particular strategic issues. Practical implications: Recommendations are provided for navigating the challenges of strategizing for community sport development. Research contribution: The findings offer a critical perspective on the role of board of directors in the strategic management process and the challenges associated with using strategic management for the pursuit of community sport development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented 'where in the author discusses articles published in the journal's special issue on topics including trending organizational forms, erosion of traditional sector boundaries in sport organizations, and importance of social innovations.

This commentary considers return to organized sport amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of nonprofit community (grassroots) sport clubs that are the backbone of sport in many countries around the world. Local clubs can be vulnerable to challenging conditions at the best of times, and are at risk of significant negative impact if they cannot weather the storm of the current pandemic and resume their sport delivery. The opportunity and importance of drawing on evidence-based insights during these unprecedented times is highlighted here, by connecting examples of existing knowledge in several key areas (assessing and building capacity, embracing innovation, and adapting top-down policy directives to the local context) with the challenges facing community sport clubs. Potential directions for new research during and post-pandemic that builds on such foundational knowledge are also presented, charting a course for new inquiry that will support a more resilient community sport sector for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]