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EXPERTISE
Professionalization:

Within this line of research we study types of collaboration, motivational and good governance, innovation and decision-making processes at the level of the sports organization in order to realize a more professional framework.

Integrity:

Within this line we investigate corporate social responsibility in sports, as well as problems that the sector faces today; gambling and gambling advertising, transgressive behavior, and sports-related fraud such as match fixing.

PROJECTS

Prevention Of Fraud In Sports

The PrOFS project is a 4-year multidisciplinary research project, funded by the Flemish government (FWO). Various disciplines (law, criminology, economics, psychology, sports management, and sports pedagogy) approach the complex phenomenon of fraud in sports from a macro (system and legislation), meso (organization) and micro (individual) level. The project aims to achieve systemic change, made possible by close collaboration between research and practice in the fight against fraud in sports. Both theoretical insights and useful tools are developed.

Sport and Fraud
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Sports fraud poses a significant challenge to the integrity and credibility of sport. This project investigates the individual, team, and organizational factors that influence the occurrence of fraudulent and unethical behaviour in sports settings. Particular attention is given not only to those who engage in such behaviours, but also to the role of bystanders that can enable or prevent misconduct. The research will also focus on organizational silence, the efficiency of reporting mechanisms, and the enhancement of whistleblower protection. Using a combination of surveys, interviews, experiments, and workshops, the research seeks to better understand why sports fraud occurs and how integrity in sport can be strengthened.

Sports and Gambling

GAMSPON (The relationship between gambling sponsorship and the normalization and prevalence of gambling) 

GAMSPON is an interdisciplinary research project funded by BELSPO that investigates the (social) impact of gambling sponsorship on society. A multi-method approach is used to analyze from different angles how sponsorship by gambling companies influences the Flemish population and contributes to the normalization of gambling. 

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FWO project (Sports sponsorship as a vehicle for gambling providers: How gambling sports sponsorship persuades consumers and contributes to gambling harms).
The FWO project is a 4-year interdisciplinary doctoral research funded by the Flemish government where we want to investigate how gambling companies use sports sponsorship to contribute to gambling harm by influencing the gambling-related beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of sports fans. We also take into account (perceptions of) moral appropriateness of this sports sponsorship, team loyalty and other influential factors.

Image by Amanda Jones
Sports Research Platform
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The Sport Research Platform (OPS) is a scientific research program funded by the Flemish Government within the field of sport. The platform brings together KU Leuven, Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) to support evidence-based sport policy in Flanders. During OPS1 (2017–2022), the Sport Management Research Group at Ghent University focused on accessible sport participation. In OPS2 (2024–2028), the focus has shifted towards the professionalization of organized sport, with particular attention to the long-term sustainability of voluntary sport clubs.

Corporate Social Responsibility

This research line examines the role of sports as a tool for sustainable development and the creation of social value. It focuses on the role of sport organizations, athletes, and other stakeholders in creating and balancing various values, including sporting, social, economic, and environmental values. By analyzing these processes, the project aims to contribute to a better understanding of sustainable value creation in and through sports.

The research project on corporate social responsibility examines how professional sports organizations and athletes manage tensions between social responsibility, athletic performance, and other organizational objectives, and how these tensions influence their policies, communications, and impact.

The research project on planetary health is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network SUPER. This project investigates how sport leaders and organizations can become effective advocates for climate action. The project will produce evidence-based guidelines and practical tools to support the integration of advocacy for planetary health within recreational and professional sports.

Image by Katja Anokhina
Sport Digitalisation & Innovation 
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The interrelationship of sports with technology and interactive sports equipment and –infrastructure is increasing, from which we see new virtual sporting disciplines emerge, such as the virtual cycling game Zwift or virtual rowing game Exr. We investigate how these new forms influence the management of sports organizations and federations, the organization of competitions and events, and the sport policy design. The doctoral dissertation of Thibault Fouquaert bundles our insights on this research line.

Transgressive behavior in sports

The FWO awarded funding for 4 years of research into transgressive behavior (GOG) in sport. This project focuses on psychological GOG by sports coaches towards young athletes. Starting from the Self-Determination Theory, we aim to investigate whether a controlling coaching style increases the risk of psychological GOG. In addition, we take a unique broadening approach by investigating the impact of the broader club climate on the prevention of GOG. Starting from normalization theory, we investigate the extent to which different stakeholders within the club tolerate and maintain controlling coach behavior.

Image by Arisa Chattasa
Professionalizing sports clubs

The project 'Professionalization of Sports Clubs' is part of the research line on strengthening sports clubs. The project consists of two parts: the first part took place from 2017 to 2021 and focused on developing pathways to strengthen the management capacities of sports clubs in the areas of volunteering, communication and organizational structure. This part was supported by the Sports Cabinet of the Flemish Government.

The second part, started in 2021, will be completed in the spring of 2025. This part focuses on developing processes to make sports clubs stronger in the field of motivational management. This part is supported by the Flemish Agency for Innovation through Entrepreneurship

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EPOSM

The EPOSM project ran for two years (2020-2021) and was co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ in Sport programme. During this project, eleven European institutions joined forces to (1) raise awareness about the prevalence of sports-related (i.e. non-gambling) match-fixing, (2) stimulate moral judgement on sports-related match-fixing and (3) share and transfer this knowledge.

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