Exploring European women’s football from economic and management perspectives

Abstract

Women’s football is growing in popularity in Europe, with increasing participation rates across the continent. To support this, football governing bodies have set the development of the women’s game as a key priority in their agenda. However, women’s football is still in a period of transition in terms of professionalisation and interest from fans, media and sponsors. This thesis examines European women’s football from economic and management perspectives, with the aim of providing key insights into the most appropriate approaches to continue the growth of the women’s game. This submission brings together a body of work conducted by the candidate, which consists of six research outputs in total. Of these, three are published academic papers, two are academic conference papers and one is a research project in collaboration with UEFA and two national football associations. Starting with an integrative review of academic literature on the women’s game, this study highlights the lack of scholarly attention towards women’s football from managerial, policy and economic perspectives. The subsequent papers contribute to filling these research gaps and to gaining a better understanding of the positioning of women’s football in the panorama of the sport industry. Some of the main challenges and opportunities currently facing women’s football are examined and analysed in this PhD. These include elements related to elite policies, fan interest, competitive balance, and managerial and organisational practices of women’s football clubs. The thesis discusses recommendations that are relevant to both scholars and practitioners in order to further the development of women’s football in the future.