Social Innovation in Sport

This book provides fresh insights on how social innovations are utilized as strategies to make sport more accessible and inclusive. It does so by bringing together theoretical insights and empirical studies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the United States, Australia, Turkey and Belgium. Within the overarching topic of social innovation in sport, this book covers contemporary themes such as digitalization, urban planning, gender equality and innovation in sport policy and practice.

It will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of sociology of sport, sport management, sport science and sociology.

‘The editor and her team of chapter authors have crafted a suite of materials that skilfully explore and unpack the nascent domain of social innovation in and through sport. Through its sociological lens, it critically considers several aspects of sport’s social innovation activities and practice: theoretical bases; empirical data; physical manifestations in sporting activity; and cases of how social innovation arises in sport’s play and its organisation. It will be invaluable to readers in the fields of sport studies, social studies and organisational studies.’ (– Aaron Smith, Professor and Associate Dean for Enterprise and Professor of Sport Business, Loughborough University London, UK)

‘The timing of this important collection could not be better! As we collectively work to re-enter and re-imagine sport in a post-pandemic world, this book provides both practical guidance and inspiration. Readers must foreground social issues in sport and stretch the concept of innovation beyond financial or performance concerns. In this way, this collection prepares us to engage with the emergent social issues that will bring both challenges and opportunities for the future of sport.’ (–Professor Megan Chawansky, Health & Sport Sciences, Otterbein University, USA.)

‘Scholarly literature on innovation in sport has been dominated by research with an empirical focus directed towards business, marketing, management and entrepreneurial ventures. While this research has enlightened us to how innovation in sport is rapidly evolving of equal importance is research that examines the impact of social innovation on sport. Tjønndal’s anthology is unique as it explores the role social innovation can play in sport. It fills a  void in the sport innovation literature by exploring theoretical perspectives on social innovation in sport; sport and social innovation in practice; innovations that challenge definitions of sport; and gender and social innovation in sport. Scholars, students and practitioners alike will find it refreshingly insightful as it offers new understandings of how social innovation in sport can be used to address complex social issues.’ (–Professor James Skinner, Institute Director for the Institute for Sport Business and Associate Dean for Teaching  at Loughborough University London, England.)

Anne Tjønndal is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, Bodø – Norway. She is also the leader of Nord University’s research group on “Sport and Society.”