Tutkimukset Evaluation research and strategic information The governing structures of sport federations
The governing structures of sport federations

The governing structures of Finnish sport federations
The governing structures and management practices are vital part for sport federations to achieve their maximal organizational capacity in a changing world. Gaining international elite sport success, decreasing voluntary work in grass root sport clubs, demands for professionalization practices and national sport policy goal settings as well as many other inner and outer pressures are challenging the daily governance of sport federations more than ever.
The aim of this this study is:
- to model the Finnish sport federations’ governing organs in different sports,
- to consider the capability and know-how of the sport federations’ boards in relation to the future needs of national and international sports,
- to examine what kind of connections and networks exist between the federations’ boards and operational staff.
The study will produce practical implications for sport federations on how to improve their daily governance practices. The study will also strengthen sport federations’ own understanding of governance as part of the organization’s capacity. In addition, the study will participate in academic discussion concerning sport governance and management.
More information

Kati Lehtonen
Senior Researcher Strategic information and evaluation studies +358400932737 kati.lehtonen@jamk.fi
Funding: Ministry of Education and Culture
Collaborators: University of Tampere and Research Institute of Olympic Sports (KIHU)
Duration: 2020