This module introduces students to governance and the law and reflects on the regulatory implications on sport organisations. It considers governance to be a multi-dimensional concept that can be understood across three levels: systemic governance; political governance; and organisational governance. Systemic governance is concerned with the wider environment and the regulatory context that shapes and influences the decisions made within sports at governing body, league or organisational level. At the systemic level, the role of law has become increasingly relevant and influential in sports. The module will look at how domestic, European and international law impact upon the sports industries. It considers how the law is a fundamental force in driving the development of governance and regulation in sport internationally and how long-standing practices can be challenged in the courts. In this respect, the increasing role of politics in the governance of sport is evident (political governance) and we will debate this in the module, for example through the increasing role that codes of governance have played in setting organisational governance standards.
This module will also consider organisational governance, i.e. the ownership, control and direction of organisations, with a focus on the role of the board (or in sports Federations, the Executive Committee). The board is seen to play an important role in governing an organisation and shaping its direction. The role of the board has become increasingly important for a number of reasons, most strikingly due to instances of poor governance, corruption, and scandals that have emerged in the sporting sector (and more widely). The module will differentiate between structural aspects of organisational governance, such as board structure and composition and board diversity, and process aspects such as board involvement in strategy or board culture.
By the end of the module students will have developed a sophisticated conceptual understanding of internal and external mechanisms of organisational governance; the role and effectiveness of boards of directors; board structure and composition; board diversity; and board culture. They will also have developed a critical awareness of how organisational governance is connected to political and systemic governance.