An Exploratory Examination of the Prime Beneficiary Approach of Organisational Effectiveness: The Case of Elite Athletes of Olympic and non-Olympic Sports

Abstract

This study examines the dimensional structure of the construct of organisational effectiveness from a prime beneficiary approach. This theorisation links the meaning of organisational performance with the expectations of the constituent groups whose benefit is the main reason for the organisation’s existence. The study employed questionnaire methods to collect data from 133 elite athletes participating in the national teams of 20 Olympic and non-Olympic Greek national sports organisations (NSOs). The analysis of the results supported a five-factor model of effectiveness (i.e. interest in athletes, long term planning, calibre of the Board, sports science support, and internal and external liaisons) which was comparable with previous exploratory findings on the same organisational setting. Further analysis showed that elite athletes gave consistently low ratings in all five factors. No significant differences were identified in the effectiveness perceptions of elite athletes due to gender and age, whereas perceptions were differentiated only for the type of sport (individual versus team sports). The unfavourable rating of elite athletes indicate that there is room for managerial action to be taken by NSOs which target results in the high performance sector.