Sport organizations and reconciliation in Australia

Abstract

Sport can be a driver of change, promoting social cohesion and inclusion. However, it can also create conflict and be arena of discrimination and divide. This article explores the current mobilization of Australian sport organizations in contributing to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. This study focuses on the formal commitment of sport organizations to the reconciliation process. Through a stakeholder theory perspective and a shared value lens, 22 Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) were examined using text analytics and visualization software, Leximancer. It is concluded that, while continuing their regular business, sport organizations can be advocates of social justice and a RAP can contribute to the organization’s stakeholder ecosystem and guide its management processes and activities. However, questions remain as to how measurable and impactful the strategies and activities are, particularly in the mitigation of racism in Australian sport.

Keywords:

• Reconciliation
• racism
• sport organizations
• stakeholder theory
• shared value

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.