Specific Features of Sport and their Influence on Entrepreneurship in Sport

Abstract

In the field of sport, we are currently witnessing a rapid increase in the number of innovations which are enhancing sports products, sport experience and related services and which are a rich source of entrepreneurship opportunities not only in professional sport but also in the public and non-profit sport sector. Therefore in this paper the links between sport specific features, sport-based entrepre- neurship and innovations are explored. The proposed conceptual framework of innovation – based entrepreneurship in sport provides researchers with the foundation upon which further research in this area can be developed. This paper also offers interpretation of the context of how innovations occur in sport entrepreneurship. On the basis of the typologies of innovation and sport specific features this paper addresses several issues regarding innovations in sport-based entrepreneurship. The papers also stresses the need for clarification of the concept of sport specific innovations which could help sports managers recognize, encourage and give priority to sports innovations as a key driver of entrepreneur- ship and intrapreneurship in sport.