The impact of culture on sport innovations

Daniele Canini and Anne Tjønndal

Chapter 5 in Handbook on Sport and Culture, 2025, pp 64-76 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Recognising culture as a shared framework of beliefs, attitudes, and values, sport organisations naturally adopt diverse stances towards innovation. This chapter examines how culture may act as both a driver and a barrier for different types of sport innovations (social, technological, commercial, community-based, and organisational) using an Open Innovation (OI) lens. As an innovation driver, culture can work to foster creativity, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In turn, this may cultivate a forward-thinking approach to novel technologies, promote diversity and inclusivity, thereby enhancing the capacity for innovation and strategic advancement in sport organisations. Conversely, cultural resistance to change, fear of failure, lack of diversity in management, and a short-term focus on immediate success may act as barriers to sport innovations. By understanding, adapting, and working on cultural attitudes and practices – and by opening organisational boundaries through OI to share knowledge and co-create – sport organisations can create an environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling them to remain responsive and impactful in an evolving landscape.

Keywords: Sport and creativity; Cultural frameworks in sport management; Social innovation; Technological innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035339976
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