Towards an integrated model for the development of women’s sports

The PhD aims to investigate the key success factors for the development of women’s sports and the links between them so as to build an integrated model to be used by sports organizations. Several sports will be compared to ensure that the model works for different disciplines.
Aims and objectives
The development of women’s sports is currently an important issue in the areas of sports economics and management (François, Scelles & Bayle, 2014; Scelles, 2017; Valenti, Scelles & Morrow, 2017). Sports organizations are more and more committed to create the conditions encouraging such a development. A number of decisions and programs have been developed in different parts of the world in order to favor the development of women’s sports. Nevertheless, all these decisions and programs are not supported by an integrated model enabling to understand the links between them, their potential overlap and their actual efficiency on the development of women’s sports when considered together in a single model. Besides, it is worth investigating whether key success factors for one specific sport work for other sports (Scelles, Ferrand & Durand, 2015). As a consequence, the aims of the project are to build an integrated model for the development of women’s sports based on a comparative approach between sports and to provide recommendations to sports organizations about how to drive such a development based on the integrated model. This model is important since it will help sports organizations better understand the consequences and efficiency of their decisions related to the development of women’s sports – in particular the differences compared to men’s sports – and provide academics with a theoretical framework enabling to integrate a number of elements to be considered together for a more accurate understanding of the drivers and constraints to the development of women’s sports.

The objectives of the project are as follows:

- to conduct a literature review on sport development and more specifically on the development of women’s sports so as to identify potential indicators measuring the level of development and potential key success factors;

- to identify the most relevant variables in the context of the present PhD;

- to identify the best way to collect data for these variables (e.g. quantitative vs. qualitative);

- to identify sports that are suitable for the study (e.g. data available);

- to measure the impact of the potential key success factors on development but also the links between the potential key success factors so as to understand whether a key success factor is a driver for another key success factor;

- to build an integrated model for the development of women’s sports based on the results of the PhD;

- to apply the model to the different sports investigated in the PhD so as to identify potential areas for improvement and provide recommendations to sports organizations;

- to consider the impact of geographical and cultural factors on the relevance of the model in different contexts.

The model could be the output of a method involving quantitative data, but also the perceptions of actors within sports organizations since their incorporation is important to ensure that the model fits their expectations in terms of sport policy (Viollet, Minikin, Scelles & Ferrand, 2016). It could be used by sports organizations to shape such policy, define their key objectives and performance indicators related to the development of women’s sports, the factors to be mastered so as to achieve these objectives, the constraints to be anticipated and how to face them. It would provide sports organizations with a clear framework enabling them to prioritize their actions and measure their outcomes.
Specific requirements of the project
Applicants must have validated an MPhil or MSc in sports economics, management or related disciplines. They should be able to deal with quantitative and qualitative methods since the project is likely to include a mix of both methods. Prior projects on women’s sports would be better, although this is not a requirement.
Student eligibility
This opportunity is open to UK, EU and International applicants
Contacts
Informal enquiries can be made to:

For application related queries, contact [Email Address Removed]

Please quote the reference BusLaw-NS-2018-1.
In the Application link (below), you will be brought to the 'Economics, Policy and International Business' subject area application form - please ensure that you choose the ‘PhD’ option
How to Apply
The quickest and most efficient way to apply for this course is to apply online. This way, you can also track your application at each stage of the process.

Apply online: https://my.mmu.ac.uk/Prospectus/Course/Details/R0002

Please quote the reference: BusLaw-NS-2018-1.

Please complete the additional Postgraduate Research Degree Supplementary Information document and upload it to the Student documents section of your online application. This collects important information about your research application and there may be delays if you do not submit this document.

Before you apply, we recommend that you:

Contact the relevant Research Degrees Co-ordinator within your chosen area of interest to discuss the project or your ideas.
Ensure that you have gathered the necessary supporting documents required and submit them along with your application where possible: references, passport copy, qualification transcripts and certificates, English language proficiency evidence where relevant.
Next Stages of Your Application
We will contact you to let you know the initial outcome of your application, and invite you to attend an interview where appropriate.

Once the university is satisfied with the following, we will send you an offer letter informing you that you have been offered a place of study:

Your research proposal
The entry requirements have been met
You have satisfactory references
We have the expertise and resources to be able to supervise you
And you have had a successful interview

Some offers may be conditional upon achieving certain grades in your examinations, or successfully completing a particular programme. You must satisfy these conditions before we can confirm your unconditional place.
Closing date
30 September 2018