A relational and processual perspective on good governance in sport: Tackling the deeper problem

Abstract

Maarten van Bottenburg advocates an alternative vision on good governance in sport, one that shifts away from internal characteristics of organisations and organisations in isolation. Drawing on figurational sociology, his systemic perspective emphasises that interdependencies and power relations between organisations within the transnational sport governance system are co-determining as well as a condition for good governance. This implies that governance failures in sport are not merely caused by individuals or individual organisations who do not follow the principles of governance. Instead, more attention should be paid to the way sport is organised and governed as a system.