Abstract:
There is a strong tradition of collecting and disseminating information and knowledge
related to some areas of sport, for example, in the sports sciences for which there are
comprehensive manuscript collections, data services, ongoing research and a strong
body of academic literature. However there are other areas of sport where the
management of knowledge has not been so effectively utilized. There is a strong case
to suggest that sport event management is one of these latter areas.
Yet, the management of large spotting events, by necessity, includes the sophisticated
use of information, but information management per se is rarely recognized as a
formal component of sport event management, despite the fact that the organization of
sporting events include many information actions and processes. There is however
another dimension; that of knowledge. This paper explores the domains of knowledge
and knowledge processes that can contribute to more effective sport event
management.
Sport like any business is operating in a complex and global market. Sport event
management needs to be adaptive to change, effectively manage risk, integrate
technology advances and build stakeholder intimacy. Knowledge management is a
multi-disciplinary approach that can assist sporting event organizations achieve
operational excellence in complex environments, for example in gaining sponsorship,
venue management, logistics and legacy benefits.
In late 2004 Standards Australia released an Australian Knowledge Management
Standard. This standard is a descriptive guide for understanding and implementing
knowledge management. The concepts it proposes and their relationship to, sport event
management will be illustrated in this presentation via the use of stories and case
studies. Processes for the creation sharing and use of knowledge within the business
of sport will also be explored.
The presenters will argue that increased recognition of knowledge management can
deliver to the business of sport events a competitive edge and an increased value to all
its stakeholders - athletes, sport, administrators, sponsors, the media and event
managers,as well as to just to information professionals.
