Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications in the G-25 football clubs. (14th November 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kolyperas, Dimitrios; Sparks, Leigh
• Is Part Of: International journal of sport management and marketing. Volume 10:Number 1/2(2011)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2011-11-14
• Subjects: corporate social responsibility -- CSR -- CSR communication -- sport management -- sport marketing -- football corporate governance -- G-25 football clubs; Sports administration -- Periodicals; Sports -- Marketing -- Periodicals; 796.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-8962

Abstract

A key recent theme in the academic literature focuses on the increasing role of corporate social responsibility in the professional sport industry. This study is located within this body of work and examines how CSR communications occur in the professional football industry. This paper answers three key research questions: What kind of CSR-related issues do football clubs address with stakeholders? How do football clubs communicate their CSR efforts, if they do so? What strategies are followed and how do these differ across clubs and national spaces? The paper reviews important aspects of CSR communication across different clubs and football markets, using the G-25 professional football clubs in the world. It proposes a continuum model which adopts an international perspective and sheds light on how CSR communication strategies vary and evolve across different clubs and football cultures.