Contributions to Management Science

Sport, and in particular the sporting environment, has undergone significant changes in recent decades. The social significance and commercialization of sport; the use of new technologies and organizational structures; and the involvement of various stakeholders matter more today than ever before. This book addresses the key influence of stakeholders in particular on the activities of sports organizations, taking into account certain territorial differences around the world, but also within Europe. The authors explain the key characteristics of the management of sports organizations as opposed to other organizations. These include the strategic management and setting of long-term goals such as sporting success, sustainable funding, youth training, and community building. The authors present a strategic model for these goals and stakeholders in the context of sport, together with research-based case studies in which the critical factors in the strategic management of successfuland unsuccessful sports organizations are identified.

In today’s dynamic global marketplace, intangible assets and Intellectual Capital have become pivotal in determining corporate value and driving strategic success. To remain competitive and innovative, business leaders must not only protect but also effectively leverage intellectual capital.

This insightful book explores the transformative power of intellectual capital in shaping business success and societal progress. Combining theoretical insights with practical strategies, it offers readers a comprehensive guide to understanding, building, and sustaining intellectual capital. Through real-world examples and in-depth case studies, the authors demonstrate how organisations can harness intellectual capital to foster innovation, create lasting value, and adapt to the rapidly evolving business landscape.

An essential resource for business leaders, strategists, and academics, this book provides the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s knowledge-driven economy, while contributing to a better, more sustainable society.

This book emerged from a need in the field of entrepreneurial ecosystems to link foundational theories with practical realities faced by entrepreneurs as they acquire and manage resources when creating a new firm. It also seeks to address how different agents of the entrepreneurial ecosystems interact to facilitate new venture formation. The book’s core thesis posits that a comprehensive grasp of resource dynamics, including acquisition and management and flow, is essential for cultivating sustainable entrepreneurial environments that can significantly reduce the failure rate of startups. The book seeks to provide answers to how resources within these ecosystems—financial, social, and human—are acquired and how these processes impact the success or failure of new enterprises.

Through a combination of case studies, theoretical analysis, and policy recommendations, the work distinguishes itself by integrating rigorous academic theory with practical, real-world application. This dual approach not only resolves current ambiguities regarding the roles and effects of different ecosystem participants, but also reveals the frequently overlooked narratives of interdependence and collaboration that are crucial for fostering sustainable entrepreneurial settings.

This book aims to provide practical alternatives to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop and deploy effective strategies. The chapters focus on offering techniques for strategy development tailored to the specific needs and constrained resources in SMEs, ensuring their viability in competitive and uncertain environments. This book also offers insights into managerial capabilities and approaches to enable SMEs to quickly adapt to unexpected marketplace changes, such as economic crises or technological breakthroughs. Based on scientific research and empirical studies, the book validates proposed strategies with case studies, serving as a guide for training managers and business leaders to make informed strategic decisions and continuously improve their organizations.