Knowledge as a Key Factor for the Structuring of an Economic Sector? The Case of the Private Sector of Sports in France since the 1980s

Résumé En

Until the 1980s, the sector of sports was divided in France between a non-profit sector (clubs and federations) and a public sector (State and local authorities). Commercial activities remained divided between various industries and were often weakened by fragile legitimacy. However, during the last three decades, commercial activities have been undergoing a quick development, which has led to the structuring of the private sector in sports. One of the most obvious expression of this process lies in the emergence of two categories of managers: ``enchanting managers'', who distil sports passion in traditional economic activities (e.g., sporting goods manufacturing and retailing); and ``rationalising managers'', who instil a stronger economic rationality in sectors that rely on sports passion (e.g., professional sports). In this communication, we propose to examine the structuring process of the private sector of sports as the consequence of the constitutionamong these two categories of managers of a common set of knowledge labelled ``Sports Management''. The survey is based on semi-structured interviews conducted with 120 managers in this private sector of sports and training directors. First, we describe theemergence of the sports sector since the 1980s. Secondly, we examine the original features of the two categories of managers (``enchanting'' and ``rationalising'' managers) that emerged along with the private sector of sport. At last, we discuss the role of ``Sports Management'' knowledge shared by these managers in the structuration of this sector.