Critical success factors and their implementation in sports events organisation and management

Abstract

A successful sport event is not only an implementation of the management principles from the organisers but a live adaptation process that requires a deep understanding of the political, economic and social environment that takes place in a specific area at a specific time. As success has many different parameters and stakeholders with different expectations who define success in different terms, organisers need to be flexible in their recognition of the specific characteristics of each sport event so as to adopt new ideas, methods and skills or develop novel know-how where is needed in order to ensure the event is a success. For this reason the objectives of this study are: a. To understand how event organisers define the success of an event, b. Identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that influence the success of different types of sporting event, c. To propose a framework of CSFs for the sports events in order to develop a broader and deeper understanding of how to deliver a successful sporting event. In order to meet these three research objectives in this study twenty two people from five sporting organisations participated like FIBA, FINA, UEFA, the LAUSSANE TRIATHLON and the APHRODITE HALF MARATHON. In this multifaceted organisational environment in which event organisers operate, the recognition and identification of critical success factors for each event organisational area will provide a helpful framework for the successful organisation of events. The results of the present study were collected through semi-structured interviews and the classification and coding was done through use of NVivo 10 software. The study provides a useful basis for sports events organisation that connects the identified success factors that could influence the sports events with the CSFs, as a closely connected organisational set. Also this study focuses on what event organisers consider the critical success factors areas for a sport event to be and how they use them during the life cycle of the event organisation. In this, the key performance indicators, provide a clear sequence between the objectives, targets, action plans and measures that will take place during the event organisation. It considers a broad framework of CSFs, including communication, governmental and public support, financial, organisational, sport community, and stakeholders, technical and technological factors that could influence the success of the sport event. In addition, the study provides a framework for the determination of CSFs to support the sporting event organisation to keep track of the implementation progress of the event.