SPORT MANAGEMENT INNOVATIONS AND THE ISSUES IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Volatile and uncertain environment creates significant challenges for traditional organizational structures and managerial approaches. Sport management is one of the key areas requiring a special focus, especially taking into consideration current key trends of digitalization, human capital development, population’s mindset and personal priorities changes. Additionally special need for innovations in sport management are created by Armenian specific context and national priorities in this field. The aim of this article is to identify special aspects of innovations’ management within Armenian sports sector. The paper studies specific prerequisites and environment for design and implementation of strategic change in terms of Armenian sport management. Armenia’s current context, namely socio-economic future growth and digitalization strategy are considered as key prerequisites for a developed innovative approach towards managing the national sports sector. Key areas for innovation in sport management are outlined. Need for incorporating the innovation management component into professional development programs in Armenia is stressed. Conducted research pays special attention to the need for adequate managerial framework as a major enabler for innovation management’s adoption in Armenian sport industry. The comprehensive framework is outlined for more efficient innovative management in Armenian sports sector. The proposed comprehensive framework consists of three interconnected blocks, namely, Collaborative Problem Solving; Agile Development and Implementation; Human Capital Enhancement. The research stresses need for both organizational and personnel skills being developed for supporting strategic change in Armenian sport industry. Professionals and researchers in the field of innovations in sport management, thinktanks, professional associations, public authorities, international sport institutions, may use the conducted research. Further research lies in the field of expanded stakeholder analysis including wider groups considering innovation management for Armenian sports sector; another issue for further research is design and adapting inter-disciplinary toolkits for supporting innovation management in Armenian sport industry.