Taking stock of sport management research in the new millenia–research contributions, worthwhile knowledge, and the field’s raison d’être

Abstract

Research question: In this paper, we analyse the variety and distribution of ways that authors frame their research contributions in published sport management articles, thereby providing a base from which to reflect on what is considered worthwhile knowledge in the field of sport management. Research methods: Our analysis builds on a reading of the introductions of 128 papers published in European Sport Management Quarterly, Journal of Sport Management, and Sport Management Review between 2001 and 2020. We grounded our approach conceptually in the work of [Sandberg, J., & Alvesson, M. (2011). Ways of constructing research questions: Gap-spotting or problematization? Organization, 18(1), 23–44. 10.1177/1350508410372151] but identified field-specific variations using an inductive process. Results and findings: Most contribution-framings entail spotting gaps in the literature, in which the value of a piece of research is based on the idea that existing research is lacking in some way. Very few papers adopt a more disruptive contribution-framing mode that questions the assumptions underpinning existing knowledge in the field. Implications: We raise potential issues of concern and important considerations for the future regarding questions around the development of a distinct body of sport management knowledge, ways to evaluate gaps in the literature, the significance of significance-statements, and the need to discuss an appropriate balance between incremental and assumption-challenging knowledge production.