Sport Management Review 16 (2013) 251–252
Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect
Sport Management Review journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/smr
Book review
M. Li, E.W. MacIntosh, G.A. Bravo, International Sport Management, 1st edition Human Kinetics, 1607 N. Market St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA (2012).,RRP $US 141.50, ISBN-10: 0736082735 (print), ISBN-13: 978-0736082730 (print), 511 pp. or 528 pp. as per the Human Kinetics website International Sport Management edited by Li, MacIntosh, and Bravo with over 40 academic and practicing contributors from around the globe, presents the internationalisation and globalisation of the business and management of sport. This book is an opportune and long-awaited supplement to the current sport management literature and one that stimulated enthusiasm and fascination for the reviewer. The publisher’s description introduces the book as ‘‘the first comprehensive textbook devoted to the organization, governance, business activities, and cross-cultural context of modern sport on an international level’’ (back cover) and it certainly lives up to this billing. The book is divided into five parts, consisting of 22 chapters. This book is not just ‘another’ text presenting sport management concepts. It takes an international or global view on the world-wide management and business of sport imparting current examples. Each chapter provides learning objectives and key terms at the outset indicating the intended learning outcomes. Also included are case studies, learning activities, chapter summaries, and review and discussion questions to aid comprehension and learning. An abundance of references are listed per chapter at the back of the book, if in fact readers wanted to pursue a topic in further depth. Part I, Issues in International Sport Management, contains three foundation chapters introducing the reader to concepts for understanding sport in a global context, the issues sport management faces in the global arena, competencies and strategies required to do business internationally, and finally cross cultural diversity and the management and business of sport in such environments. Part II, titled the Field of Play in International Sport, has six chapters providing contextual information of ‘‘mega’’ regions throughout the world with overviews of their sporting landscape in areas such as amateur and professional sport, economics, events, governance, law, the role of government, sport development, and structures and systems allowing those operating in these environments to have a greater understanding of the modes and challenges of sport business. Part III, Governance in International Sport, comprises four chapters and familiarises the reader to the high-fliers of international sport like the International Olympic and International Paralympic Committees (IOC and IPC respectively) providing an overview of the organisations themselves and contentious issues like gender equity, categorisation of athletes with disabilities, and fair play and performance enhancing drugs to name a few. Economics, functions, governance, relationships, and stakeholder management are also discussed in relation to international sport federations, professional sport, and youth, school and club sport. Part IV has five chapters and is aptly titled Management Essentials in International Sport as the contents deal with just that. Here business and organisation management concepts are discussed in an international sport slant. Such concepts include: finance and economics, corporate social responsibility and its role in sport development and human rights, the complexities, issues, and trends of sport law on the global stage, and finally touching on the consumption of services and its quality from an international sport perspective. Part V rounds out the book with four chapters on International Sport Business Strategies. This final section delivers information pertaining to marketing and branding in the global sport environment followed by the introduction of ‘‘new’’ media technologies defined as ‘‘. . .the convergence of telecommunications, computing, and traditional media. . .’’ (p. 410) and its relevancy to the global sport industry. There is no discussion of ‘‘old’ media, although the difference in the two is noted, but no other content is given, which the reviewer feels is still a valuable and useful toolbox for a global sport manager. The penultimate chapter presents sport facilities management but seemingly this chapter could be found in one of the many mainstream sport management textbooks. References are made to international sporting events throughout the chapter and in the case studies, and facility legacy and risk management are discussed, but the chapter is not as strong as others when the international aspect of facilities management is considered. The book concludes with a chapter on sport tourism, which often takes place on a global terrain. The fundamentals of sport tourism are explained, and a few aspects such as social costs and 1441-3523/$ – see front matter http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2012.12.005
252
Book review / Sport Management Review 16 (2013) 251–252
benefits, impacts of mega events, and legacy effects, which emphasise the international nature of sport tourism, are examined. Part V is perhaps the most tenuous segment. Although it is well written, as is the entire book, the information here does not hold the same association to the international sport world. International Sport Management is targeted towards practicing and future sport managers and would be a welcome and constructive addition to a reading list for undergraduate and/or graduate students’ world-wide studying any facet of sport management as chapters throughout are relative to all aspects of our discipline. If a specific paper on sport in a global or international framework is offered at an academic institution, then this book would be the book of choice. This reviewer gives it thumbs up. Trish Bradbury* Massey University, School of Management, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand *Tel.:
+64 9 414 0800x43403; fax: +64 9 441 8109 E-mail address:
[email protected] 