| Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an area of research containing significant amounts of literature, yet little has been conducted from the perspective of the sports industry. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, including a survey and a qualitative content analysis, to explore how professional sports teams define CSR, who manages the issue within the organization, and how teams view CSR activities.; Findings from this study indicate that community relations directors and team owners both influence CSR in the sports industry. Pertaining to the definition, the hierarchy of CSR categories in sports is different from other industries. Respondents viewed ethical concerns as the most significant, followed by philanthropic, legal, and then economic responsibilities. Furthermore, the qualitative content analysis uncovered additional elements of the CSR definition. This study ultimately poses a new definition of CSR relative to the sports industry. |
