| Mapping the Evolution of Sport Management Research: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis |
| Paper ID : 1278-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
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saba artik * Sports Management, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Abstract Introduction: This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of sport management research from 2011 to 2020, aiming to map its thematic evolution and scholarly influence amidst the field’s rapid growth and increasing complexity. The primary objective is to quantitatively assess the field's structure and its dynamic development over the past decade. This research also addresses prior debates concerning the predominance of commercial logic and the perceived need for disciplinary distinctiveness within sport management scholarship. Methods: The study analyzed 1,516 articles published across five leading sport management and marketing journals, utilizing data sourced from the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Various bibliometric techniques were employed, including citation analysis, h- and g-indexes (to measure productivity and scholarly influence), and co-word analysis. These methods were instrumental in identifying and evaluating the most influential authors, institutions, countries, journals, and the core thematic clusters within the domain. Results: The Sport Management Review (SMR) emerged as the most influential journal, leading in both article output and global citations (7,557), and boasting the highest Impact Factor (6.577). Quantitatively, U.S. authors were dominant, though scholars from Germany and Australia exhibited a higher citation impact per article. Funk was identified as the most influential author based on the highest h- and g-indexes. Co-word analysis revealed four primary thematic clusters: 1. Management of sport organizations and events; 2. The team–fan–game triad; 3. Marketing and sponsorship; and 4. Spectator behavior and identification. Conclusion: The results indicate a growing interdisciplinary influence of sport management research and a gradual shift towards establishing a more distinct academic identity. Although commercial and economic logic remains prevalent, the emergence of sport-specific theories in areas like volunteerism, sport for development, and team identification provides the potential to enhance the field’s broader scholarly legitimacy. Keywords: Sport management, Bibliometric analysis, Sport Marketing, Sport Entrepreneurship |
| Keywords |
| Sport management, Bibliometric analysis, Sport Marketing, Sport Entrepreneurship |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
