International Journal of Sport Management

A Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of Board Decision Making in Non-Profit Sport Organizations

Erik L. Lachance, Milena M. Parent

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore decision making in non-profit sport organization Boards. Data were gathered from 36 non-participant overt observations of non-profit sport organization Board meetings, 18 semi-structured interviews, and over 6,000 document pages. Sixty-six decisions were identified from the observations, on which a hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted. Results indicated two clusters, Concise and Expanded decision making, whereby the former had a shorter duration and fewer information sources, interactions, and delays than the latter. A contemporary taxonomy is developed with characteristics to describe decision making related to decision length, delays, interactions, and information sources for Boards at different systemic levels. Knowing how they make decisions allows non-profit (sport) organization Boards to better navigate their decision-making endeavours.

Keywords: decision-making, processes, non-profit boards, sport governance

Citation: Lachance, E. L., & Parent, M. M. (2024). A hierarchical cluster analysis of board decision making in non-profit sport organizations. International Journal of Sport Management, 25(2), 162-196.

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