Title
Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Authors
Abstract
Purpose: This paper provides a comprehensive bibliometric review of the literature on sustainability in sport management to identify the most prominent thematic areas, underlying conceptual frameworks, and future research directions.
Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric analysis of 393 journal articles from the Scopus database covering the years 2000–2024 was conducted. Using VOSviewer, the study employed co-occurrence and co-citation analyses to map the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of the research field.
Findings: The analysis reveals three primary thematic clusters: environmental sustainability, economic impacts, and social impacts, with a notable recent surge in research on technological innovations. A significant increase in research output is evident since 2020. However, the literature is dominated by North American contexts, indicating a significant geographical gap.
Research limitations/implications: The review is limited to the Scopus database and English-language articles. The findings imply a critical need for research from more diverse global perspectives to develop a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability in the worldwide sports industry.
Relevance to Decision Sciences: This study provides a structured, quantitative map of the sustainability in sport management literature, offering a decision-making tool for academics, journal editors, and policymakers to identify critical research gaps, influential frameworks, and emerging trends, thereby guiding strategic research investments and evidence-based policy formulation. Within this broader Decision Sciences context, the study holds particular relevance for the field of Information Systems and Management, where bibliometric mapping and data-driven visualization function as decision-support tools for managing knowledge flows, evaluating digital sustainability practices, and optimizing research and policy strategies in sport management.
Originality/value: This study offers a broad, quantitative overview of the field over a 24-year period. It systematically identifies key research clusters, intellectual foundations, and critical gaps, providing a robust roadmap for future inquiry into integrating sustainability in sport management.
Keywords
Sustainability, Sports Management, Information Systems, Digital Innovations, Sustainable Practices, Bibliometric Analysis
Classification-JEL
L83, Q01, M14
Pages
94-140
How to Cite
Pellegrino, A., & STASI, A. (2025). Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Advances in Decision Sciences, 29(4), 94-140.