Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Effectiveness in the Greek Proffesional Sport Context

Abstract

The present study examined CSR evaluation issues regarding the effectiveness of CSR activities in Greek professional sport organizations. The initial results illustrated a general absence of CSR effectiveness evaluation. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of respondents have reported that in fact CSR performance is not measured mainly because of a lack of a methodology or a common framework. A major barrier to CSR assessment and evaluation practices is represented by the respondents' perceptions with respect to the nature of CSR. However, executives and managers mentioned a range of estimations to assess the impacts of their CSR actions, thus CSR effectiveness underlies subjective assessments of positive effect observations. Based on the results and the literature, the present study discusses the implications regarding the issue of CSR measurement and evaluation in Greek professional sport organizations.

Do companies manipulate CSR information to retain legitimacy?

“…Enterprises deciding to assess the results of CSR may use their own measures or use those according to GRI guidelines (Global Reporting Initiative). Gjolberg (2009), shows that some companies may have difficulties in obtaining relevant data (Douvis et al, 2015), especially if their accounting system does not allow for it. Gathering the information can be time-consuming and still may not meet the information needs of stakeholders.…”

The Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility of Major Sport Organizations by the German Public: An Empirical Analysis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Scholars have investigated CSR in sports using different methods. Most studies applied qualitative research paradigms (e.g., Babiak and Trendafilova, 2011 ; Douvis et al, 2015 ). Especially in professional team sports, qualitative approaches were preferred (Walzel et al, 2018 ), with data being collected via interviews (e.g., Douvis et al, 2015 ; Babiak and Kihl, 2018 ) or observations, focus groups, and content analyses (e.g., Walters and Tacon, 2011 ; Banda and Gultresa, 2015 ).…”

“…Most studies applied qualitative research paradigms (e.g., Babiak and Trendafilova, 2011 ; Douvis et al, 2015 ). Especially in professional team sports, qualitative approaches were preferred (Walzel et al, 2018 ), with data being collected via interviews (e.g., Douvis et al, 2015 ; Babiak and Kihl, 2018 ) or observations, focus groups, and content analyses (e.g., Walters and Tacon, 2011 ; Banda and Gultresa, 2015 ). Most qualitative studies were conducted as case studies of different teams (e.g., Davies and Moyo, 2017 ; Babiak and Kihl, 2018 ), leagues (Reiche, 2014 ; Banda and Gultresa, 2015 ), and federations (Filizöz and Fişne, 2011 ).…”

“…Both shortcomings were addressed in the present study, as it focused on three sport-governing bodies (DFL, UEFA, and IOC) and how their activities during the pandemic were perceived based on different population characteristics. Third, the strong focus on qualitative research in the form of case studies led to a call for a more quantitative evaluation of CSR actions (Walters and Tacon, 2011 ; Douvis et al, 2015 ; Walzel et al, 2018 ). Fourth, as the perception stakeholders have of CSR activities are crucial for mutually beneficial relationships (Walters and Tacon, 2011 ; Douvis et al, 2015 ; Walzel et al, 2018 ), it is important to survey them about their perceptions.…”

“…Third, the strong focus on qualitative research in the form of case studies led to a call for a more quantitative evaluation of CSR actions (Walters and Tacon, 2011 ; Douvis et al, 2015 ; Walzel et al, 2018 ). Fourth, as the perception stakeholders have of CSR activities are crucial for mutually beneficial relationships (Walters and Tacon, 2011 ; Douvis et al, 2015 ; Walzel et al, 2018 ), it is important to survey them about their perceptions.…”