The role of development programs in enhancing organizational capacity of National Paralympic Committees: a case study of the Road to the Games program

ABSTRACT

Rationale/Purpose: This study examines the role of elite sport development programs in the capacity building process of disability sport organizations.

Design/Methodology/Approach: An instrumental qualitative case study design was employed with data consisting of documentation and semi–structured interviews with program administrators and senior leadership from seven NPCs. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and yielded four main themes.

Findings: Development programs are external and incentivized stimuli which can initiate the capacity building process. Prior assessment of target groups' needs and existing capacities are key to program design and implementation.

Practical Implications: Recommendations are provided for program administrators on how they may support the development of NPCs organizational capacities through each stage of the capacity building process.

Research contribution: The study contributes to the literature on elite Para sport development and organizational capacity by highlighting the importance of, and challenges in, aligning development programs' objectives with the target organization's needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Organizational capacity
• capacity building
• para sport
• elite sport development
• disability sport organizations

Disclosure statement

Ms. Maleske was previously employed at the Agitos Foundation. This study was designed and conducted at the University of Michigan and received approval from the University's Institutional Review Board. Data collection was completed in accordance with guidelines provided by the University.

Correction Statement

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

Notes

1 For the purpose of this study, we use the Country Classification developed by the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Geographical regions for developing economies are as follows: Africa, South Asia, Western Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

2 These figures were compiled using participant numbers posted on each NPC’s website. The total number of participants was sourced from the IPC’s website.