Title: Isomorphism and choice in the creation and development of an international sports federation: a review of the International Triathlon Union

Authors: Sean Phelps, Aubrey Kent

Addresses: Department of Sports and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, 0627, New Zealand. ' School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University, 19122, USA

Abstract: Creating and developing an international sport federation is one step before governing a sport globally. Organisers may then seek the International Olympic Committee|s recognition as an international federation. IOC recognition offers legitimacy, especially to an emerging sport. This study identifies the International Triathlon Union founders| experiences and what directed their decisions while seeking Olympic recognition in just five years. Institutional theory demonstrated the forces exerted on the fledgling international federation. Strategic choice allowed the founders to creatively meet the IOC criteria. In the future, it may be worthwhile to incorporate more than one theoretical approach when investigating organisations.

Keywords: isomorphism; strategic choice; international sports federations; International Triathlon Union; Olympics recognition; International Olympic Committee; IOC; institutional theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2010.037509

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2010 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.277 - 295

Published online: 14 Dec 2010 *

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