Thirteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine if and under what conditions voluntary sport clubs (VSCs) conformed to the institutional practices of professionalism, consumerism and instrumentalism and whether conformity to these practices increases the organizational strength of VSCs. According to the neo-institutional view, incorporating institutionalized practices enhances an organization’s survival. In the context of VSCs three institutional practices can be identified: VSCs are highly stimulated to professionalize, to broaden their services and to contribute to the realization of government policy. Based on this theory, it was tested whether VSCs’ conformity to these externally legitimated practices actually increases the organizational strength of VSCs. Cross-sectional (N=549) and longitudinal (N=158) panel data of Dutch VSCs between 2007 and 2021 were used. Paired samples t-tests show the extent of conformity. Linear and logistic regressions indicate the relationship between three conformity measures (level of professionalism, consumerism and instrumentalism) and self-perceived organizational strength and resources. Results suggest that VSCs did not strongly conform to institutional pressures between 2007 and 2021 and no relationship was found between conformity and self-perceived organizational strength and resources. This study shows that VSCs in the Netherlands have not changed strongly into the directions pursued by policy makers and sport federations and change into these directions does not seem to improve the survivability of VSCs. More research is needed to investigate survival mechanisms based on other theoretical concepts in order to understand, monitor and improve the survivability of VSCs.