Search

Sport's distinctive social element serves as an excellent platform to facilitate corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This is particularly true in developing countries, where sport is increasingly recognised as a conduit to address social issues and development. Therefore, this study's main research objectives were to establish professional sport organisations' (PSOs) understanding of CSR, identify their CSR objectives, identify their engagement in CSR initiatives, and identify the benefits derived from CSR in a developing country context (South Africa). Data was collected via a qualitative approach, with in-depth interviews conducted among selected PSOs (n = 10). The results showed that PSOs engaged in and derived several benefits from their CSR initiatives, viz.: brand recognition, positive brand image, brand loyalty, increase in fans, commercial value, and sponsorship, and leveraging sponsorship. Additionally, some PSOs took more of a socially inclined approach in their CSR initiatives as opposed to a strategic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a significant increase in research around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the sport management context and it has been argued that CSR outcomes have marketing implications. Despite this increase, there is a gap in identifying the influence that CSR initiatives have on marketing performance within a professional sport management context. Moreover, the South African sport industry is rapidly professionalising with a need for the application of business management practices to the unique sport industry. This study explored the relationship between CSR and the marketing performance of selected professional sport organisations across South Africa. Six organisations were selected, representative of the three major professional sport codes in the country, namely cricket, rugby and soccer. Following a qualitative research approach, key personnel at the organisations were purposefully selected for in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted and the following core themes emerged: marketing objectives; income/revenue growth; marketing share; and CSR initiatives. The study proposed a set of criteria to assess the influence of CSR on marketing performance, which included: tickets and sales; brand loyalty; brand perception; media coverage; and sponsorship. The study clarifies the relationship between CSR and marketing performance in the South African professional sport environment and presents policy and practice-based recommendations based on these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport's distinctive social element serves as an excellent platform to facilitate corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This is particularly true in developing countries, where sport is increasingly recognised as a conduit to address social issues and development. Therefore, this study's main research objectives were to establish professional sport organisations' (PSOs) understanding of CSR, identify their CSR objectives, identify their engagement in CSR initiatives, and identify the benefits derived from CSR in a developing country context (South Africa). Data was collected via a qualitative approach, with in-depth interviews conducted among selected PSOs (n = 10). The results showed that PSOs engaged in and derived several benefits from their CSR initiatives, viz.: brand recognition, positive brand image, brand loyalty, increase in fans, commercial value, and sponsorship, and leveraging sponsorship. Additionally, some PSOs took more of a socially inclined approach in their CSR initiatives as opposed to a strategic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a dearth of sport marketing research investigating the strategic potential of socially responsible sport marketing practices for organizations in the sport management industry. Despite the more recent focus on this the emergent topic within marketing literature, there is a lack of application of cause-related marketing (CRM) and social marketing (SM) strategies in the sport marketing context. Furthermore, these strategies are often confused with corporate social responsibility (CSR). The main purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the adoption of CRM and SM marketing strategies by professional sport organizations (PSOs) in South Africa. An interpretivist philosophy and qualitative approach was adopted for the study, which centered on in-depth interviews conducted with key individuals from six South African PSOs. The findings revealed encouraging evidence of South African PSOs engagement in CRM and SM activities. However, it also revealed that the strategic potential of these elements were not leveraged, mainly due to a lack of understanding of these concepts. The differences and similarities between CRM and SM are identified, according to practitioner understandings. The study contributes to sport marketing literature and practice by proposing a conceptual framework to guide the effective planning and execution of strategic CRM and SM campaigns by PSOs. This framework can assist PSOs to engage in social responsible marketing approaches to improve their marketing performance while maintaining socially responsible business practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the sporting industry has become more professionalised, there have been an increased number of studies focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement within this sector. However, with unique aspects of professional sport organisations and limited studies on this in developing market contexts, this paper reports on a study that aimed to investigate the impact of environmental factors and stakeholders that have an impact on sustainable CSR engagement in the South African professional sport industry. Following an interpretivist philosophy, this study adopted a qualitative research approach to collect the primary data. Key stakeholders were strategically selected from six South African professional sport organisations and ten in-depth interviews were conducted. This inquiry revealed that several internal and external environmental factors influence sustainable CSR engagement by professional sport organisations, namely, (1) internal objectives, funds, people and resources and (2) external uncontrollable factors, economy, and community awareness. The study also found that corporate partnerships, non-corporate partnerships and targeted communities were the main stakeholder types involved in CSR activities. The study, therefore, expands the understanding of CSR engagement within the professional sport industry in South Africa, also contributing to CSR practice and policy within this sector by proposing the engagement in more sustainable CSR initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]