Abstract
D.Com. (Sports Management)
Sport as a phenomenon has been part of different cultures throughout the ages, and in
literature various authors emphasise the significant role it played and still plays in
people's lives. From a cultural-historical perspective, sport as a time-filling activity
therefore forms an important foundation for the development of sport as an industry.
The possibilities of using leisure as an industry have been considered from early times.
Participants in sport, magnates and the public sector made an important contribution to
the development of sport, although everybody also benefited indirectly from this. In the
examination of sport as a business, sport is measured against the standards set for a
business, and from this it is evident that sport meets these requirements in all instances.
In the light of these facts, it is necessary for sport to be managed like a business.
Management and managerial behaviour are defined in a theoretical foundation, but
particular attention is devoted to concepts in sport with a view to providing an own point
of view.
As a result of this theoretical foundation, a base is created for drafting a curriculum for
a course in Sport Management. Various models and points of view are discussed and
suggestions on the ideal contents of such a curriculum are made. The B.Comm. degree
and certificate courses in Sport Management at the Rand Afrikaans University are used
as a model.
The fundamental personal traits of sport officials and students of Sport Management are
examined in the empirical study. Various psychometric tests and questionnaires are
employed, enabling the creation of an instrument in future research to screen students
and sport officials.
As a result of this research, certain recommendations are made with regard to further
research, drawing up a curriculum for Sport Management and measuring personal traits
of sport officials.