Introduction
This paper will illustrate the meaning and importance of human resource management (HRM), human resource planning, and strategic human resource management, which are critically important for an organization’s effectiveness and must be effectively managed. This study shows the current economic environment in the sports industry; the second part of the study critically analyzes the value of the strategic management of employees for the effective and efficient operation of sports organizations.
Current Situation in Sports Globally
In the current international context, sports are becoming more commercialized, and sports organizations have become more competent over the years. Sporting events play a significant role in developing tourism and economic activities on the national and international scale; their positive economic benefits have increased the awareness of sports among the general public and have created a positive image in the general community (Best Accredited Colleges, 2021). The exponential growth has been due to inclusion of sports in education centers and appreciation of sports by many. This has been brought about by the success of various professional athletes.
Employment Relationship in the Sports Industry
The employment relationship can be defined as the legal link between an employee and an employer. It is mostly based on a contract, whether written or oral and sums up the agreement between the two parties. The sports industry, having a complex structure requires a well-outlined employment relationship guideline that protects both parties. These relations are heavily influenced by the business structure of the two parties and the goal of the partnership of the involved parties (Visua, 2021). It should be mentioned that an employment relationship is an automatic process, when an employee accepts the conditions set out by an employee, and the two parties form an agreement, thus, employment relationship is born.
Examples of Employment Relationships in the Sports Industry
Sports is a contract-controlled industry. This is due to the fact that the industry’s main economic product is mostly talent and hard work, both of which cannot change ownership. There are many peculiarities in the area with the given scope, which complicates its appropriate regulation (Isaac, 2021). However, commonly accepted rules and principles in this vein are still a foundation for the industry as well. Lawyers, managers, and other involved parties should sign contracts – legal agreements presented on the slide.
Methodology
This study is based on data from secondary sources; the data were collected using the qualitative research method. The qualitative method is used to gain a better understanding of and provide a reliable investigation for the research question. The literature review method was used for collecting data from relevant journal articles, textbooks, reports, and other academic works. The data that were collected represent all the areas of human resource management in sports and were collected using the purposive random sampling method.
Defining HRM and its Relevance
HRM may be defined as “a comprehensive approach to managing employees and an organization’s culture and environment” (Bellucco-Chatham, 2020, para. 7). Researchers in the field of HRM provide a comprehensive definition for HRM. HRM has integrated strategies and a coherent approach to employment management and seeks to achieve a competitive advantage through a highly committed and capable workforce. It uses an array of human resource planning, policies, and practices which carry out the management of people or HRM. These practices include recruitment, screening, training, rewarding and appraising,
HR Planning Issues
Nowadays government contributes in both public and private sporting activities. Recreational organizations provide services mostly to public. Private organizations can even be used as recreational centers whereby people consider it as leisure activity. Worldwide organizations work together with local enterprises to better HRM strategies (HR Profiling Solutions, 2021). It should be noted that there are many HR managers in the field, which is justified by the diversity of activities in the industry. Some management team members have even performed professional duties in sporting sector. Then, HRM plan is also focused on manpower strategies whereby it aids in planning sector.
Agreements in the Sports Industry
Unfair contracts are rarely experienced in the professional sports organizations. They are mostly found in amateur leagues where sportspeople have little knowledge about employment and engagement laws. An unfair contract is a contract that places an unfair and unjustified amount of load on the employee without any just compensation (Isaac, 2021). This normally happens if the signee fails to read the contract well, or the organization places hidden conditions in the contract. Then, free agents are players and sportsmen that are not restricted or limited by a contract. They can sign a contract with a third party while still signed to another franchise if the agreement that binds him/her to the current franchise allows it.
The scope of free agency is large as this is influenced by leagues, contracts and teams. For a free agent, the parties involved in the management of talent and resources are mostly personal managers and talent scouts. Personal managers are mandated with the role of ensuring the physical fitness of the sportsman that hire them, this means that they have to ensure they stick to their training schedules, their diets and the health check-ups. They act as the public relations manager for their clients, ensuring that they maintain a well-laid out the public figure for their clients (Isaac, 2021). The managers also serve as consultants to their clients, they are consulted on matters concerning employment opportunities offered to their clients.
Unrestricted free agents have such a status due to contract expiration with no renewal, getting released from their clubs and franchise or not being drafted to any team. These sportsmen are allowed to entertain any prospective contract or employment opportunity offered by any team or franchise. Then, restricted free agents cannot sign to a franchise or a team whose contract matches up to 10% of that of the current team (Isaac, 2021). It is worth noting that every sports person goes through a season of free agency unless he/she was enrolled in an organization’s talent academy.
Undrafted free agents are not drafted to any amateur league during the annual drafting. Especially in the USA NFL league and NBA, free agents can entertain any proposition from any team without any restrictions. Signed athletes are currently signed to a particular team or a franchise. These individuals are restricted by the contracts and regulations that are present in their teams and the leagues that they play for. They are also required to promote the team in all competitions and act as brand ambassadors for the teams and the franchise currently signed to (Isaac, 2021). Most of the sportspeople signed to professional leagues and competition are the ones considered as signed athletes. This is because of the prestige and the benefits found in the professional competitions.
Parties Influencing and Managing Employment Relations
Coaches are teams’ chief teachers on relevant skills, techniques and formations used in play. They are mandated with the role noticing the team’s strengths and weaknesses and working to improve the team’s current state. Coaches are a team’s source of encouragement and motivation; they advise the players on issues concerning health and lifestyle (Visua, 2021). Then, they handle the sports side of a sports organization. Some organizations, clubs and teams have their managers play the role of a coach and a manager. When this happens, the managers are then vested with the powers of a coach and a manager simultaneously.
Team managers are mandated with the role of marketing the team or the club. They act responsibly for the public relations of the team as they act as the voice of the team in pre-match and post-match media conferences. They manage the facilities used the sports fraternity, as well as supposed to grow the team’s turnover and make a profit for the organization. They also ensure that the sports team comply with all rules and regulations and handle the contracts used in negotiations (Visua, 2021). Finally, the managers are the driving force of a team as they handle the business side of the sports organization.
The sponsors allow sports organizations to focus more on sports activities rather than raising funds. They create brand awareness of the organization by promoting activities of the sport of the organization. The sponsors also broadcast the organization’s activities and the sports-persons skills, exposing them to greater opportunities. They avail funds needed for basic activities that are needed by teams and the organization, as well as mobilize supporters raising income incurred from tickets sold during any sports activity (Isaac, 2021). Then, federation and associations appeal for all actions by any of the stakeholders in the sports industry, ensuring transparency. They also ensure democracy in elections and appointments that are carried out in the sports.
Role of Human Resource in Sports Organizations
The sports industry, just like any other industry involves human interactions which call for a resource section that can then deal with any misunderstandings. This may arise due to the interactions and act as a helping hand in dealing with the manpower that runs the industry (Best Accredited Colleges, 2021). The resource section should then initiate policies that look after all role players in the industry and ensure all workers are treated equally. Across all industries, the Human Resource has seven core roles which are Recruitment and Selection of staff, Talent training and Development, Relations of the employees.
The primary role of the human resource is recruiting new staff. In the sports industry, it helps in acquiring the right talent and skills for the support staff (Best Accredited Colleges, 2021). This includes acquiring the right people that support the organization in the resource management and allocation, managing the welfare of the sports persons, management of the facilities of the organization and overall management of the organization. After acquiring the right talent, it is imperative that the individuals acquired are trained to work in the sports industry.
There are two essential capacities when it comes to Worker Relations. First, HR makes a difference by resolving issues or debates between representatives and administration. Furthermore, they help in making and implementing approaches that are reasonable and steady for the complete workforce (Best Accredited Colleges, 2021). Worker relations may be a term that alludes to an organization’s endeavors to make and keep up positive connections between workers and their bosses. Employee relations allude to legally binding and viable connections, as well as the individual and enthusiastic measurements of these relationships.
The HR professionals are involved in resolving any conflicts between the employees, including the sportspersons and the management and enforcing policies that protect all in the organization. This allows a healthy co-existence in the organization which translates to the maximum output of all stakeholders in the organization (Isaac, 2021). The professionals are involved in setting up the metrics used in the measure of the organization’s performance. This includes the performance of each department in the organization and the key role players in the organization. They set out goals for the organization, the expenditure of the organization and the expected turnover of the organization
Role of Human Resource in Sports Industries
Every HR professional should be familiar with employment law in order to guarantee that the company’s policies, procedures, and benefits are compliant with the most recent regulations. Human resource procedures like recruitment, performance management, employee relations, compensation, and health and safety are all governed by a variety of laws and regulations (HR Profiling Solutions, 2021). HR is responsible for developing systems, maintaining personnel data, taxes, rating working hours and vacations, and paying salaries, among other administrative tasks.
Employee benefits can include pay raises tied to appraisals, social security, pensions, private health insurance, and longevity perks. Nevertheless, corporate discounts, paid holidays, paid sick leave, profit sharing, gym membership, and many other things, depending on the organization’s and employees’ priorities (Best Accredited Colleges, 2021). Job satisfaction is linked to employee motivation, efficiency, and productivity; therefore, a solid set of business benefits can boost workplace morale and motivation.
References
Bellucco-Chatham, A. (2020). Human resources (HR).
Best Accredited Colleges. (2021). Sports Manager: Job description, duties and requirements.
HR Profiling Solutions. (2021) What are the 7 Functions of HR.
Isaac, L. (2021). Employment contracts and sports people. Online Learning for sports Management.
Visua. (2021). Benefits of sports sponsorships in Digital age of visual data.