Is prioritisation of funding in elite sport effective? An analysis of the investment strategies in 16 countries

DE BOSSCHER, Veerle, SHIBLI, Simon and WEBER, Andreas Ch. (2018). Is prioritisation of funding in elite sport effective? An analysis of the investment strategies in 16 countries. European Sport Management Quarterly, 19 (2), 221-243.

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Official URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16184...
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2018.1505926

Abstract

Abstract Research question: This paper explores the extent to which nations prioritise elite sport funding; whether such nations are more successful than those whose funding is more diversified; and, if the sports that receive the most funding are also the most successful. Research methods: Data on public expenditure for elite sport programmes (2011/2012) were collected on a sport-specific basis in 16 nations (n=445 funded sports). The Herfindahl index and concentration ratios of the four/eight most funded sports (CR4/CR8) are used as proxies for prioritization. Success was measured using top 3 and top 8 places during the Olympic Games and World Championships. Descriptive analysis and linear regression are applied to identify the relationship between the distribution of funding and success. Results and findings: Generally, all sample nations are prioritisers. Nations with smaller total elite sport budgets tended to prioritise more. There is a slight negative association between the distribution of funding within a country and subsequent success, indicating that the sample countries that prioritise more tended to be less successful. Sample nations that diversify their funding more, are found to be successful in a wider range of sports. In addition, the data illustrated only low allocative efficiency for some nations. Implications: The study produced ambiguous conclusions that prioritisation as a deliberate strategic choice is an efficient way to invest funding. The findings have important implications for high performance managers and suggests that a more diverse resource allocation policy may help to avoid unintended negative consequences. Keywords: Targeted funding; elite sport policy; allocative efficiency; prioritisation; SPLISS

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Sport Industry Research Centre
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Health and Well-being > Department of Sport
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2018.1505926
Page Range: 221-243
Depositing User: Simon Shibli
Date Deposited: 17 Sep 2018 10:29
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 02:34
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/22496

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