Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Authors

  • Alfonso Pellegrino Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, 420 W 118th St, New York, NY 10027, United States Author
  • Alessandro Stasi Business Administration Division, Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University, Salaya, 73170, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Corresponding Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47654/v29y2025i4p94-140

Keywords:

Sustainability, Sports Management, Information Systems, Digital Innovations, Sustainable Practices, Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This paper provides a comprehensive bibliometric review of the literature on sustainability in sport management to identify the most prominent thematic areas, underlying conceptual frameworks, and future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric analysis of 393 journal articles from the Scopus database covering the years 2000–2024 was conducted. Using VOSviewer, the study employed co-occurrence and co-citation analyses to map the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of the research field.

Findings: The analysis reveals three primary thematic clusters: environmental sustainability, economic impacts, and social impacts, with a notable recent surge in research on technological innovations. A significant increase in research output is evident since 2020. However, the literature is dominated by North American contexts, indicating a significant geographical gap.

Research limitations/implications: The review is limited to the Scopus database and English-language articles. The findings imply a critical need for research from more diverse global perspectives to develop a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability in the worldwide sports industry.

Relevance to Decision Sciences: This study provides a structured, quantitative map of the sustainability in sport management literature, offering a decision-making tool for academics, journal editors, and policymakers to identify critical research gaps, influential frameworks, and emerging trends, thereby guiding strategic research investments and evidence-based policy formulation. Within this broader Decision Sciences context, the study holds particular relevance for the field of Information Systems and Management, where bibliometric mapping and data-driven visualization function as decision-support tools for managing knowledge flows, evaluating digital sustainability practices, and optimizing research and policy strategies in sport management.

Originality/value: This study offers a broad, quantitative overview of the field over a 24-year period. It systematically identifies key research clusters, intellectual foundations, and critical gaps, providing a robust roadmap for future inquiry into integrating sustainability in sport management.

Author Biographies

  • Alfonso Pellegrino, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, 420 W 118th St, New York, NY 10027, United States

    Alfonso Pellegrino, Ph. D. is an academic researcher at the Columbia University, United States. His work focuses on various aspects of management and business education, providing valuable insights into contemporary business challenges in Asia. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Pellegrino serves as an individual contractor for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), where he contributes to projects aimed at sustainable development and regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Alessandro Stasi, Business Administration Division, Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University, Salaya, 73170, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

    Alessandro Stasi, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Business Law at Mahidol University International College in Thailand. He holds two PhDs, one from the University of Naples Federico II and another from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis. His research interests focus on technology law, with an emphasis on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing biotechnology, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. Dr. Stasi's work examines the intersection of law and technology, exploring how legal systems can adapt to innovations in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and biotechnologies, while addressing the ethical implications of these advancements in both developed and emerging markets.

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2025-12-12

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Vol. 29 No. 4 (2025): Advances in Decision Sciences

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Pellegrino, A., & STASI, A. (2025). Sustainability in Sport Management: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Advances in Decision Sciences, 29(4), 94-140. https://doi.org/10.47654/v29y2025i4p94-140