Technology adoption and use in not-for-profit sport: A case study of an Australian state sporting association

Authors

Alexander Best, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Ruth Sibson, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Ashlee Morgan, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Author Identifier

Alexander Best

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2097-2547

Ruth Sibson

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4722-5034

Ashlee Morgan

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6351-1313

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Managing Sport and Leisure

Volume

29

Issue

2

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

School

School of Business and Law / Graduate Research

RAS ID

40610

Comments

Best, A., Sibson, R., & Morgan, A. (2024). Technology adoption and use in not-for-profit sport: A case study of an Australian state sporting association. Managing Sport and Leisure, 29(2), 273-291. https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2021.2020678

Abstract

Purpose:

The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide new insights into the benefits of, and barriers to, adoption and use of technology at an organisational level in not-for-profit sport.

Research methods:

A qualitative, case study methodology investigates the adoption and use of technology within an Australian state sporting association. Organisational documents and semi-structured interviews with the CEO and top-level managers were analysed through Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory.

Results and findings:

Key benefits include increases to productivity, enhanced communication, and remote working arrangements. Key barriers include the costs of adoption decisions (both financial and organisational); the capability of staff and other stakeholders to utilise complex technologies; and the impact of social systems and organisational norms.

Implications:

The adoption and use of technology enhances business operations, which in turn allows staff to improve their provision of sport. However, balancing the technologies needed to deliver sport to multiple stakeholders against those required for business operations is difficult and is impacted by resource constraints. Overcoming these barriers within not-for-profit sport organisations may lead to improved organisational efficiencies and apposite return on public funding.

Research contribution:

This study adds to our knowledge of the benefits and barriers of technology adoption and use at an organisational level within the not-for-profit sport sector.

DOI

10.1080/23750472.2021.2020678

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