We invite prospective researchers to apply for an exciting PhD position in the field of sports innovation management, offering a unique opportunity to make a significant impact both on the ‘field’ and in broader society. Delve into the intricacies of sports innovation, exploring its composition and devising effective measurement strategies. Your research will illuminate the role of sports innovation in tackling diverse organizational, sporting, and societal challenges, while identifying avenues for maximizing its impact. Join us in shaping the future of sports and driving positive change!
This PhD trajectory encompasses a diverse array of methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. For instance, you will be involved in developing and implementing quantitative measures of sports innovation at both national and European levels, across various types of sports organizations, including competitive sports and recreational activities. Also, you will conduct case studies of sports organizations to gain deeper insights into sports innovation and related factors and mechanisms. This research will explore both technological aspects, such as R&D and digitalization, and non-technological aspects, including new forms of interorganizational collaboration, organizational and governance innovation, and innovative management approaches.
The research will be conducted as part of a collaboration between the Amsterdam Business School of the University of Amsterdam, Mulier Institute, and the Utrecht University School of Governance. All three institutes take part in the doctoral supervision, allowing you to leverage and integrate the unique and pertinent expertise of each. The trajectory is financially supported by ZonMw, on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, in cooperation with SportInnovator. Your research will be partly embedded within the scope of an Erasmus+ sports innovation index project spanning multiple European countries. Besides focusing on publishing in top-tier academic journals, you will also disseminate relevant insights to the broader sports community. Upon successful completion of the trajectory, you will earn a doctoral degree from the University of Amsterdam.
What are you going to do? As a fulltime PhD Candidate, your tasks and responsibilities include:
- Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative research on sports innovation management with a high level of practical relevance;
- investigate the challenges sports organizations, policymakers and other entities face in successfully developing or fostering various types and dimensions of sports innovation;
- synthesize theories related to strategic management, innovation, and sports to develop novel conceptual frameworks;
- conduct a sports innovation survey in the Netherlands, building on a baseline measurement developed in 2020;
- contribute to the development and validation of a comprehensive sports innovation index that will be transformed into a self-assessment tool for sport organizations;
- publish and present work at (inter)national conferences and in academic (top) journals and practitioner journals, and engage in workshops/masterclasses to share findings;
- become active in the research community and collaborate with other institutes that are affiliated to the project.
You will join the Amsterdam Centre for Business Innovation, which is part of the Strategy & International Business section of the Amsterdam Business School.