Governance reform in Australian horse racing

Abstract

This paper analyses the process, rationale and effects of the governance reforms that have occurred within Australian thoroughbred horse racing. The paper specifically examines the development of a variety of organizational forms for racing governing organizations that have evolved in the last 15 years and the institutional pressures that have driven these changes. It was found that while these organizations were subject to similar institutional pressures, they did not adopt homogenous structures, as would be expected. A range of contextual factors are discussed to explain this phenomenon.