A case study review of equality in sport organisations
type: CreativeWork
description: This thesis explores inequality in sport with a particular focus on sports’ National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and other sports organisations. The thesis adopts a critical realist lens to embrace the multi-factorial nature of inequality influenced by Shaw’s (2007) challenge that sports researchers should adopt a broader perspective that will allow for an acknowledgement of multiple categories and different axes, such as gender or ethnicity, and appreciate their interrelationships. The thesis uses a mixed method approach to examine the impact of a significant policy initiative in relation to equality for sports organisations. It then uses a more in-depth case study for an intensive examination of the pervasive (and often covert) influence of organisational culture on equality in a sport NGB. Study One focuses on The Equality Standard for Sport that was devised in 2004 by the four UK Sports Councils and embraces the multiple nature of inequality. This Study provides a comparative analysis to the previous review of the Standard and takes the form of a survey questionnaire completed by 42 senior members of staff at Governing bodies to examine what difference it is making in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion within these sports organizations. Results indicate that despite some proactive work by some organisations, the Standards’ outcome and audit-based methodology is ill equipped to challenge and critique the organisational cultures that are so influential in exclusionary practices. Study Two and Three utilise an action research approach within a case study of a large NGB and seek to further investigate the influence of institutional culture on the organisation’s efforts to become more inclusive and representative of the communities they serve. Using a multi-method research approach, Study Two included an online survey questionnaire, participant observation, eight semistructured interviews, archival and documental analysis, and a focus group. Study Two identified …
abstract: This thesis explores inequality in sport with a particular focus on sports’ National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and other sports organisations. The thesis adopts a critical realist lens to embrace the multi-factorial nature of inequality influenced by Shaw’s (2007) challenge that sports researchers should adopt a broader perspective that will allow for an acknowledgement of multiple categories and different axes, such as gender or ethnicity, and appreciate their interrelationships. The thesis uses a mixed method approach to examine the impact of a significant policy initiative in relation to equality for sports organisations. It then uses a more in-depth case study for an intensive examination of the pervasive (and often covert) influence of organisational culture on equality in a sport NGB. Study One focuses on The Equality Standard for Sport that was devised in 2004 by the four UK Sports Councils and embraces the multiple nature of inequality. This Study provides a comparative analysis to the previous review of the Standard and takes the form of a survey questionnaire completed by 42 senior members of staff at Governing bodies to examine what difference it is making in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion within these sports organizations. Results indicate that despite some proactive work by some organisations, the Standards’ outcome and audit-based methodology is ill equipped to challenge and critique the organisational cultures that are so influential in exclusionary practices. Study Two and Three utilise an action research approach within a case study of a large NGB and seek to further investigate the influence of institutional culture on the organisation’s efforts to become more inclusive and representative of the communities they serve. Using a multi-method research approach, Study Two included an online survey questionnaire, participant observation, eight semistructured interviews, archival and documental analysis, and a focus group. Study Two identified …
author: Dwight, Adam
keywords: sports, equality, equality and diversity, inclusion, intersectionality, unrepresentative, national governing body, equality standard for sport
license: https://wlv.dspace7.openrepository.com/bitstreams/f687b8ce-7094-4f15-8597-78b44ee5e379/download
date published: 2021-07
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:09:17Z
provider: University of Wolverhampton
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Wolverhampton