Innovation programs of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation

Abstract

[EN] This research studied the innovation programs implemented by the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) during the last four years. Innovation has been defined as the successful exploitation of new ideas. The research question is twofold. Firstly, to which extent the RFET is pursuing innovations and how these are perceived by their stakeholders. Secondly, the role that both the general sport context and the features of the RFET play in the innovations. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted both with the RFET volunteers and executives (n = 10). An online semi-structured questionnaire was completed by a sample of stakeholders (n = 205) in which participants were asked to identify and assess the innovation initiatives of the RFET. The findings will provide a starting point for acquiring a better understanding of the variety of innovations being implemented by the RFET. They will be compared with those of previous studies done in NSGBs from Belgium, Canada, and Lithuania. This study should be the basis for the design of practical management resources that will help the RFET and other NSFs to advance in the generation, management, and assessment of innovation programs in their sport settings.