Examining the body of knowledge in sport management: A content analysis of the Journal of Sport Management

Sport management scholars have called for examination of the literature in sport management to explore its state in relation to its representation of the field of study and the industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the Journal of Sport Management (JSM). Content analysis methodology was used. Findings reveal that the 52 issues examined in this study contain 233 peer reviewed empirical research articles authored by 435 authors. The field of study, as measured against sport management curriculum standards content areas, was found to have unequal coverage with a high level of content in Management and Organizational Skills, Sport Marketing, and Sport Business in the Social Context. Additionally, the sport business industry is inequitably represented with a majority of research involving intercollegiate athletics (40%). INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE Many scholars and academic leaders in the rising academic discipline of sport management, at its early inception and today, note that the profession must have a comprehensive body of literature with a foundation of knowledge that will prepare individuals with a solid and appropriate education for their career endeavors in the sport business industry (Cuneen & Parks, 1997; Fielding, Pitts, & Miller, 1991; Mahony & Pitts, 1998; Parkhouse, Ulrich, & Soucie, 1982; Parks, 1992; Paton, 1987; Zeigler, 1987). Indeed, a body of knowledge ought to represent the defined field of study. As Hancher stated, a body of literature should consist of “a minimum body of basic and fundamental knowledge that is commonly possessed by members of the profession” (1944, as cited in Fielding et al., 1991, p. 1). The sport management field of study and the sport business industry are defined by the sport management curriculum standards and sport management textbooks (Sport Management Program Review Council, 1993; 2000) (see, for example, Parkhouse & Pitts, 2001; Parks & Quarterman, 2003; Parks, Zanger, & Quarterman, 1998). Nonetheless, sport m a n a g e m e n t scholars have also pointed out that the state of sport m a n a g e m e n t literature does not sufficiently reflect the defined field of study or the sport business industry (Olafson, 1990; Paton, 1987; Pitts, 2001; Slack, 1996; Soucie & Doherty, 1 9 9 6 ) . F o r EXAMINING THE BODY OF SCHOLARSHIP IN SPORT MANAGEMENT: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE JOURNAL OF SPORT MANAGEMENT BRENDA G. PITTS, EDD, GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, PAUL M. PEDERSEN, PHD, INDIANA