Journal of Power, Politics & Governance

The Roles of Governance in Sport Organizations
Eddie T. C. Lam

Abstract
In recent years, governance has become a popular topic of discussion. In its broad meaning, governance is the exercise of power in the management of an organization. Though governance involves such concepts as responsibility, rules and policies, communication, and transparency, the central component of governance is decision-making. It is the process through which a group of people make decisions that direct their collective opinions and efforts. The decision-making process of governance is that stakeholders, on one hand, of an organization articulate their interests, influence how decisions are made, and finalize actions to be taken. The decision makers, on the other hand, should acknowledge these inputs and put them into consideration during the decision-making process, and they are accountable to those same stakeholders for the organization's outputs and the process of producing it. Governance concerns three major issues: how an organization develops strategic goals and direction, how the board of the organization monitors the performance of the organization to ensure it achieves these strategic goals, and how the board acts in the best interests of the members. Good sport governance should include such principles as (a) the role of the governing body, (b) structure, responsibilities and accountability, (c) democracy, elections and appointments, (d) transparency and communication, and (e) solidarity.

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