Joshua McLeod, David Shilbury

Abstract: This research examines governance convergence between 2013 and 2018 in three Indian national sport organizations (NSOs). In this study, governance convergence refers to the adoption of UK sport governance principles (namely the principles of Structure, People, Communication, Standards and Conduct and Policies and Processes) in Indian NSOs. To achieve the aim, a content analysis is conducted on the Indian NSOs’ constitutions. The results indicate a significant degree of convergence in all three cases. There are, however, important nuances between the organizations concerning the extent of convergence in relation to each principle. The study provides new insight to the sport governance literature, which has thus far paid limited attention to the increasing isomorphism of governance systems within the professionalizing global sport industry. Future research is encouraged to explore the factors that facilitate and impede governance convergence in Indian sport, and subsequently build a sport-specific theory of governance convergence.

Citation: McLeod, J. & Shilbury, D. (2020). A content analysis of governance convergence in Indian sport. International Journal of Sport Management, 21(1), 26-53.

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