Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
20903359
eISSN
20903367
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105029120914
Journal Title
Advances in Decision Sciences
Volume
29
Issue
4
Start Page
1
End Page
47
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Advances in Decision Sciences Vol.29 No.4 (2025) , 1-47
Suggested Citation
Pellegrino A., Stasi A. Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Advances in Decision Sciences Vol.29 No.4 (2025) , 1-47. 47. doi:10.47654/v29y2025i4p94-140 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114908
Title
Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis
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Author's Affiliation
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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.