Internationalization of the Sport Management Labor Market and Curriculum Perspectives: Insights From Germany, Norway, and Spain

in Sport Management Education Journal

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Olivia Wohlfart Leipzig University

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Sandy Adam Leipzig University

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Jorge García-Unanue University of Castilla-La Mancha

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Gregor Hovemann Leipzig University

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Berit Skirstad Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

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Anna-Maria Strittmatter Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/smej.2019-0046
Keywords:
competencies; curriculum development; higher education; sport sector; thematic analysis
First Published Online:
25 Sep 2020
In Print:
Volume 14: Issue 2
Page Range:
129–141
Restricted access

This study applies “Europeanness” to the analysis of internationalization in the sport management labor market and which changes this trend necessitates for sport management curricula. The authors employed an analysis of 30 semistructured interviews with key informants from Germany, Norway, and Spain. The results reveal various effects of internationalization on the sport sector and highlight the richness and diversity in the three countries. Sport management graduates need to possess a diverse set of competencies for successfully starting their careers. In addition to subject-specific knowledge, generic competencies such as the ability to work in a team, being able to communicate in diverse languages, and having intercultural skills are important. The article discusses knowledge of international sport organizations, their governance, global trends, and intercultural and language competencies, as well as international sport event management as identified themes and proposes specific curriculum changes to promote educational outcomes of sport management programs.

Wohlfart, Adam, and Hovemann are with the Dept. of Sports Economics and Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Inst. for Sport Psychology and Sport Pedagogy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany. García-Unanue is with the Dept. of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain. Skirstad and Strittmatter are with the Dept. of Sport and Social Sciences, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.

Wohlfart (olivia.wohlfart@uni-leipzig.de) is corresponding author.
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