Professor James Skinner
Head of School
Newcastle Business School
- Email:james.skinner@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:0240550915
A global sport business and industry change champion
Many Aussies love sport, but not everyone can indulge their passion by turning it into a career. But this is exactly what recognised global scholar and academic leader James Skinner has done, combining it with his other key interests: economics, management and sociology.

Over his extensive academic career, James has worked and consulted with universities, industry, governments, and the not-for-profit sector. These experiences have taken him into and forged his international reputation in the business of sport.
A distinguished scholar, he has published 20 books and 100 journal articles, secured $2million in external research funding, graduated more than 20 PhDs, and is a distinguished visiting professor at several world higher educational institutes.
He’s currently the research and innovation advisor for AI Scout, a sport tech data company that uses AI and mobile technologies to reshape the talent identification landscape. But how did it all begin?
Tasmania, the UK and Newcastle
James’ career kicked off at the University of Tasmania. He then gradually moved up the East Coast, taking a post at Southern Cross University and then Griffith University on the Gold Coast.
While at Griffith, he took on several leadership positions, culminating in becoming the Head of the Department for Tourism, Sport, and Hotel Management. At the time, this was the largest sports management program in the country.
In 2014, he moved to the UK to become Research Director for the Institute for Sport Business and a Professor of Sport Business at Loughborough University London.
“In this role, I established the Institute, and it became the only institute in the world to offer five distinctive master's programs in sport business,” James shares. “I also created the research strategy and built strong institute industry relationships with stakeholders in London, nationally and internationally.”
The Institute has produced over 1,500 international sport business graduates from all walks of life who are now working in different parts of the world in commercial, government or not-for-profit sport organisations or tech, banking, marketing or consulting organisations where sport is part of their business.
James was appointed Associate Dean for Enterprise and Associate Dean for Teaching. During his tenure as ADE, he established flagship strategic partnerships, and as ADT, he developed new teaching programs. During COVID, he also oversaw the transition of programs online.
In March 2023, James returned to Newcastle to take up his current position at the University as Dean of Newcastle Business School. In this role, he provides strategic leadership, research quality and impact, curriculum design of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and fosters external engagement with key industry partners.
Applying theory to sports business
Digging into his research, James shares that his work is an intersection of several fields. These include the study of sport as a socio-cultural institution, the management, marketing, and business of commercial sport, community sport and its social impacts, substance use in sport, and the research design that provides the framework for these investigations.
“My work relates to business, but sport is my laboratory,” James explains. I’ve written from a pure management perspective on change management, for example, a book entitled Philosophies of Organisational Change. At the same time, I apply management principles to the sport business environment in my book Fostering Innovative Cultures in Sport: Leadership, Innovation and Change.”
He’s also consulted with the International Olympic Committee and for numerous professional sport organisations, national sporting organisations, marketing agencies and professional service organisations, including Football Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, Sport England, Chelsea Football Club and London Sport.
Sport and nation branding
As well as applying his theory in sports business environments, James’ interest in sport as a tool for nation branding has led him to look at how sport is used as a vehicle for soft or non-coercive power.
“I’m examining the inverse investment in sports through sovereign wealth funds and private equity vehicles to secure ownership of sports properties and then to leverage this investment to have influence locally, nationally and globally.”
To explain this more clearly, James gives an example of how Sheikh Mansour from Abu Dhabi has invested millions in Manchester United by building a new stadium and training facility and gentrifying the city. But while this is an investment, it also shifts people’s attention away from the human rights concerns.
In line with this thinking, he’s currently completing a book called Global Sport Ecosystems, which looks at sports' economic, social, and cultural drivers of sport across the globe.
An anti-doping aficionado
In exploring the impact of substance use in sport, James has gained significant recognition as a scholar, being nominated by the Federal Sports Minister on three occasions to be Australia’s representative on the World Anti-Doping Association Education Committee.
James has completed numerous research grants from Sport Integrity Australia (previously the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority). This work has helped shape policy and practices locally, nationally and globally.
In a study back in 2015, James qualitatively explored the experiences and perceptions of athletes who have committed anti-doping violations, finding that most enter into moral disengagement, diffusing responsibility by blaming groups or external pressure.
Enabling methodological excellence
Through completing these investigations, James has become an expert in research design and methods. He’s now providing templates for students and colleagues to understand how projects can be addressed methodologically.
He’s written six books on research design and methods for sport businesses. “I was the first to write on the subject, and these books are now used at different institutions around the globe,” he shares.
James has also taught research and design methods in many other countries, including at the Russian International Olympic University and Beijing Sports University.
The challenges of a changing landscape
Like in any research, there are always challenges.
And finding time is a universal one James shares. Another more specific to his area of work is keeping abreast of the rapidly changing business environment and within the world of sport. As he says: “the constant in sport is change”.
“Business is constantly evolving. Today, with the impact of technology and the accelerated pace of change that technology is bringing to business and sport, you need to stay across those changes. You also need to be thinking about the implications of these changes in the future,” says James.
“In addition, there are some shifting power dynamics and influence occurring in world sport that have significant ramifications for the business of sport, the influence of nation-states and its broader implications on trade and diplomacy.”
He also shares the importance of educating students to be able to work in this rapidly evolving world and ensuring that research and industry are central in shaping curriculums now and the future.
Influencing industry, policy, and student success
James is extremely proud of the achievements he has made throughout his career, particularly the influence he has had on industry and policy.
Just as importantly, he’s proud of how his work has influenced the work of other colleagues in terms of using it as a foundation and building upon it.
He’s also proud of the impact he’s had on the lives of his students and PhD students.
“I get great pleasure from watching my students succeed and go on to bigger and better things,” he says.
James' career was built on his two passions, and this love for what he does is evident through his commitment to his work and the extent of his impact. He may not be an athlete by profession, but he’s definitely a sports business and industry change champion.
A global sport business and industry change champion
Many Aussies love sport, but not everyone can indulge their passion by turning it into a career. But this is exactly what recognised global scholar and academic leader James Skinner has done, combining it with his other key interests: economics, management and sociology.
Career Summary
Biography
He has extensive skills in external engagement, curriculum redesign and creating and measuring research impact. His research interests are in change, culture, innovation and leadership. He has completed extensive funded research in anti-doping, written on the role of sport in building social capital and published seminal work on research design and methods for sport business. James has a long history of working with start ups and building accelerator programs, he has consulted to numerous governments, with multinational companies, various consultancy organisations, marketing agencies and broadly across the business sector.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Victoria University - Australia
- Bachelor of Education, Queensland University of Technology
- Master of Business Administration, Bond University
Keywords
- Change & Culture
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Research Methods
- Sports Management
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 350710 | Organisational behaviour | 20 |
| 350405 | Sport and leisure management | 50 |
| 350707 | Leadership | 30 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Head of School | University of Newcastle Newcastle Business School Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (19 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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| 2024 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, Read D, Burch LM, Mueller J, 'Research Methods for Sport Management: 2nd edition', 1-549 (2024)
Now in a fully revised and updated second edition, Research Methods for Sport Management provides a complete introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method... [more] Now in a fully revised and updated second edition, Research Methods for Sport Management provides a complete introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods for sport management students and practitioners. Full of real-world case studies, data, and examples, and including international perspectives throughout this book to help the reader understand the challenges of research in different social and cultural contexts, this book links theory to practice, highlighting the importance of research skills in the contemporary sport industry. This book outlines an eight-step research framework that makes the research process easy to understand and that can be followed by beginners and built upon by more advanced researchers. It covers the full research process from research design and literature review to data analysis and report writing, with a strong emphasis throughout this book on new digital, online, and social media methods. This new edition includes extended coverage of topics such as research ethics, gender in research, intersectional research, Web 3.0, data visualization, research impact, and advanced statistical techniques, and considers the differing requirements of sport-related research across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. With improved features to enhance teaching and learning, including a research f low chart, review questions, topical case studies, and PowerPoint slides, this is an essential textbook for any research methods course taken as part of a degree course in sport business and management, sport development, or sport marketing, and an invaluable toolkit for any managers, leaders, or analysts working in the sport industry.
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| 2024 | Smith ACT, Stavros C, Geurin AN, Skinner J, Burch LM, Introduction to Sport Marketing, Routledge, 0 (2024) | |||||||
| 2021 |
Read D, Skinner J, Lock D, Smith ACT, 'Wada, the world anti-doping agency a multi-level legitimacy analysis', 1-212 (2021) [A1]
Examining the legitimacy of the World Anti-Doping Agency, this book offers a critical analysis of the anti-doping system and the social and behavioural processes that s... [more] Examining the legitimacy of the World Anti-Doping Agency, this book offers a critical analysis of the anti-doping system and the social and behavioural processes that shape policy, asking why the current system is failing. Featuring in-depth, contemporary case studies from around the world, including the whereabouts system; Lance Armstrong; therapeutic use exemptions; the Essendon Bombers; recreational drugs policy; and the Russian Olympic doping programme, this is the first text to analyse empirically how the legitimacy of WADA is constructed, contested and managed in the field of anti-doping, and the consequent impact this has on anti-doping. Based on the analysis of these case studies, the book discusses how legitimacy processes have shaped the current regulatory environment and offers structural and governance reforms to improve anti-doping policy design and implementation. Adopting a unique theoretical perspective, rooted in a socio-cognitive perspective on organisational behaviour, this book is essential reading for any researcher or student working on drugs and doping in sport, sport management, the sociology of sport, governance, transnational organisations or strategic management. It also offers important insights for policymakers and administrators working in sport or in government.
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| 2018 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, Swanson S, 'Fostering innovative cultures in sport: Leadership, innovation and change', 1-278 (2018) [A1]
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| 2016 |
Barry M, Skinner J, Engelberg T, 'Research handbook of employment relations in sport', 1-408 (2016)
Employment relations, much discussed in other industries, has often been neglected in professional sports despite its unique characteristics. The book aims to explore i... [more] Employment relations, much discussed in other industries, has often been neglected in professional sports despite its unique characteristics. The book aims to explore in detail the unique nature of the employment relationship in professional sports and the sport industry.
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Chapter (71 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, Read D, Burch LM, Mueller J, 'Deconstruction and Sport Management Research', 194-201 (2024)
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| 2024 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, Read D, Burch LM, Mueller J, 'Discourse Analysis and Ethnomethodology', 202-223 (2024)
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| 2024 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, Read D, Burch LM, Mueller J, 'Ethnographic Approaches', Research Methods for Sport Management, Routledge 224-243 (2024)
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| 2023 |
Swanson S, Meeks F, Burnett C, Skinner J, Collison-Randall H, 'Mapping SFD stakeholders: A social network analysis of stakeholder relationship networks in Africa and Europe', 246-259 (2023) [B1]
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Open Research Newcastle | ||||||
| 2022 |
Liu S, Skinner J, Grosman A, 'Business model innovation towards ecosystem sustainability: A case study of the Chinese super league', 207-221 (2022) [B1]
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| 2022 |
Mueller J, Skinner J, Swanson S, Naraine ML, Fransen K, 'Investigating shared leadership in elite sport: A social network study of USA Rugby 7s', 161-183 (2022) [B1]
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| 2022 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, Read D, 'Popular culture, sport, and management', 39-56 (2022) [B1]
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| 2018 |
Skinner J, Read D, Kihl LA, 'Applying a conceptual model of policy regime effectiveness to national and international anti-doping policy in sport', 62-78 (2018) [B1]
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| 2018 |
Skinner J, Woolcock G, Milroy A, 'SDP and social capital', 296-307 (2018) [B1]
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| 2016 |
Barry M, Skinner J, Engelberg T, 'Sidelined: Employment relations in professional sports', 1-15 (2016) [B1]
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| 2016 |
Skinner J, Engelberg T, Moston S, 'The evolution of anti-doping policy: Workplace implications for athletes', 310-330 (2016) [B1]
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Conference (7 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Skinner J, Gilbert K, 'Defining integrity in sport', SportAccord 2015: Sochi (2015) | ||
| 2011 | Engelberg T, Skinner J, Moston S, 'Moral Judgement, Moral Intention, and Attitudes Towards Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport' (2011) | ||
| 2006 | Engelberg T, Skinner J, Zakus D, 'Exploring the commitment of volunteers in Little Athletics Centres', Proceedings of the Inaugural Volunteering Symposium, Melbourne, Vic (2006) | ||
| Show 4 more conferences | |||
Journal article (68 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Hill DF, Skinner J, Grosman A, 'A review of football player metrics and valuation methods: a typological framework of football player valuations', Managing Sport and Leisure (2025) [C1]
This paper introduces a framework for football player valuations, integrating Damodaran's valuation typologies and providing a decision framework for selecting the... [more] This paper introduces a framework for football player valuations, integrating Damodaran's valuation typologies and providing a decision framework for selecting the typology. Purpose/Rationale: It aims to refine Damodaran's valuation typologies of intrinsic, relative, real options and probabilistic methods to football valuations, highlighting current limitations of using proxies and addressing the conflation between price and value. Design/Approach/Methodology: The paper employs a conceptual analysis of a literature review, aiming to determine valuation typologies in the literature and their limitations, aligning the literature to the established typologies of Damodaran and provides a framework for using different valuation types. Findings: While intrinsic valuations are robust in theory, their practical application faces challenges. Relative valuations are more pragmatic and contingent on standardised metrics. Real options and probabilistic approaches present potential for future research. Practical Implications: The framework guides researchers and practitioners when to apply different valuation typologies within sport finance, offering insights for conducting comprehensive player valuations. Research Contribution: This paper unifies existing valuation methods into a cohesive framework, filling methodological gaps and suggesting areas for further research in football player valuations. Originality/Value: The paper's originality lies in integrating Damodaran's approaches with sports finance, offering valuable insights for both academic research and practical applications.
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| 2025 |
Mueller J, Matz R, Damon ZJ, Naraine ML, Skinner J, 'The importance of physical proximity for team cohesion - a case study of USA Rugby 7s', MANAGING SPORT AND LEISURE [C1]
Research Question: This paper seeks to contribute to the theoretical understanding of team cohesion in sport. While a robust foundation of research on team cohesion in ... [more] Research Question: This paper seeks to contribute to the theoretical understanding of team cohesion in sport. While a robust foundation of research on team cohesion in sport exists, there is a dearth of research examining the role of physical proximity. With physical group exercise temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, herein lies an opportunity to examine team cohesion throughout different stages of physical distancing. Research Methods: A single case mixed method study was employed comprised of semi-structured interviews (19 total) conducted at three different time points (September 2019; March 2020; June 2020) and a baseline/post administration of the GEQ Survey (September 2019 (N = 26); August 2020 (N = 27)). Qualitative data were analysed in NVivo 12, and survey data were analysed via paired t-tests. Results and Findings: Levels of team cohesion remained stable throughout the season and during physical distancing on all three cohesion sub-scales (i.e. ATG-T, GI-S, GI-T). Three qualitative themes emerged: task and collective loyalty, resilience through social cohesion, and digital engagement. Implications: Digital communication can temporarily fill the void of face-to-face interaction but cannot replace it long-term to build team cohesion. Adding physical proximity to the theoretical conceptualization of team cohesion makes the model more contemporary and especially relevant during times of physical distancing (e.g. pandemic, off-season, remote teams).
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| 2024 |
Read D, Thomas I, Smith ACT, Skinner J, 'A Bourdieusian Approach to Pain Management and Health in Professional Cricket', ORAL DISEASES, 41, 267-276 (2024) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | ||||||
| 2024 |
Read D, Skinner J, Smith ACT, Lock D, Stanic M, 'The challenges of harmonising anti-doping policy implementation', SPORT MANAGEMENT REVIEW, 27, 365-386 (2024) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | ||||||
| 2023 |
Read D, Skinner J, Lock D, Houlihan B, 'Field-configuring events as temporary sites for institutional change in sport: a case study of the Lausanne conference on anti-doping', EUROPEAN SPORT MANAGEMENT QUARTERLY, 23, 227-249 (2023) [C1]
Research question: Institutional work by actors (e.g. organisations or individuals) to create, maintain or disrupt institutions requires redefining what is considered l... [more] Research question: Institutional work by actors (e.g. organisations or individuals) to create, maintain or disrupt institutions requires redefining what is considered legitimate behaviour. Furthermore, research indicates that field-configuring events (FCE), such as conferences, which temporarily unite actors, are important junctures for institutional processes. Research is yet to address how FCE intersect with the effectiveness of institutional work. The aim of this paper is to explore how (i) the legitimacy of an actor at the time of an FCE, and (ii) the co-location of actors at an FCE impact institutional work effectiveness. Research methods: The 1999 Lausanne Conference is used as a case study because it led to significant institutional disruption in the field of anti-doping through the creation of the Lausanne Declaration. To analyse these institutional processes, a qualitative thematic analysis of 624 newspaper articles and archival documents from the conference was conducted. Results and Findings: Firstly, we demonstrate that institutional maintenance can fail if an actor's legitimacy is under challenge at the time of an FCE. Secondly, the co-location of likeminded actors can create a consensus that acts as a cue to enable institutional disruption. Implications: Based on the findings, suggestions are made to inform decision-making processes about institutional work. Initial categorisation of FCE conditions are presented and five propositions are made for future exploration.
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| 2023 |
Peng Q, Skinner J, Houlihan B, Kihl LA, Zheng J, 'Towards Understanding Change-Supportive Organisational Behaviours in China: An Investigation of the 2015 Chinese National Football Reform', JOURNAL OF GLOBAL SPORT MANAGEMENT, 8, 817-837 (2023) [C1]
This paper investigates the influences of change recipients' supportive behaviors toward the national reform in the Chinese football sector. Qualitative data were ... [more] This paper investigates the influences of change recipients' supportive behaviors toward the national reform in the Chinese football sector. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n= 29), which were conducted with change recipients from national and local football associations and commercial football clubs. Drawing on an integrated conceptual framework, the findings suggest that the change-supportive behaviors demonstrated by the change recipients were influenced and incentivised by managerial factors (i.e., management competency, communication channels, participation in decision-making, leaders' commitment to change, and principal support); and contextual factors (i.e., an amenable football environment and the perceived political pressure to change). Three manifestations of change-supportive behaviors were identified: a) showing understanding of the change but pessimistic about the outcome; b) supporting the change and being willing to take risks; and c) supporting the change and actively seeking alternative solutions.
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| 2023 |
Read D, Smith ACT, Skinner J, 'Theorising painkiller (mis)use in football using Bourdieu's practice theory and physical capital', INTERNATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT, 58, 66-86 (2023) [C1]
This conceptual article advances the value of Bourdieu's practice theory and physical capital as a tool to understand the various types of painkiller (mis)use in s... [more] This conceptual article advances the value of Bourdieu's practice theory and physical capital as a tool to understand the various types of painkiller (mis)use in sport. Consuming painkillers to manage injury and fatigue is a common practice among male professional footballers and misuse can exacerbate existing injuries and contribute to chronic physical and mental health conditions. In order to highlight the interaction between micro and macro-level factors we conceptualise painkiller use in professional football as a relational process between habitus, capital, and field position wherein variation in use is a result of social trajectory and field experiences. The analysis elaborates upon Bourdieu's practice theory in sport. It shows that the importance of protecting physical capital stems from internalised dispositions about how the body is viewed, which legitimise the use of painkillers within the social field of football despite the damaging potential outcomes for players. The article extends Bourdieu's practice theory to managing painkiller (mis)use, provides recommendations towards a future research programme, and identifies potential interventions for improving athlete welfare.
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| 2022 |
Liu S, Skinner J, Grosman A, 'From Rags to Riches: Business Model Innovation Shifts in the Ecosystem of the Chinese Super League', JOURNAL OF GLOBAL SPORT MANAGEMENT, 7, 406-426 (2022) [C1]
The Chinese Super League (CSL) has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years via evolutions in Chinese football clubs' business models and the league environm... [more] The Chinese Super League (CSL) has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years via evolutions in Chinese football clubs' business models and the league environment. This paper analyses business model innovation (BMI) in the light of changing ecosystem factors via a case study of the Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC. It analyses the types of BMI and finds that BMI constancy and novelty are key to the club's success. The study identifies policy and investors as the two ecosystem factors with the most significant influence on the club's BMI. We argue that CSL clubs have unique and under-rated value capture structures, where the value is captured by their investors rather than by the clubs themselves. Being sensitive to the ecosystem is another key factor and we give guidance on how to anticipate ecosystem changes and adjust business models accordingly. This can be generalized to other organizations and industries.
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| 2022 |
Pinto F, Rahulamathavan Y, Skinner J, 'Blockchain for Doping Control Applications in Sports: A Conceptual Approach', FUTURE INTERNET, 14 (2022) [C1]
Doping is a well-known problem in competitive sports. Along the years, several cases have come to public, evidencing corrupt practices from within the sports environmen... [more] Doping is a well-known problem in competitive sports. Along the years, several cases have come to public, evidencing corrupt practices from within the sports environment. To guarantee fair play and prevent public health issues, anti-doping organizations and sports authorities are expected to cooperate in the fight against doping. To achieve this mission, doping-related data must be produced, stored, accessed, and shared in a secure, tamperproof, and privacy-preserving manner. This paper investigates the processes and tools established by the World Anti-Doping Agency for the global harmonization of doping control activities. From this investigation, it is possible to conclude that there is an inherent trust problem, in part due to a centralized data management paradigm and to the lack of fully digitalized processes. Therefore, this paper presents two main contributions: the concept of a multiorganizational decentralized data governance model and a blockchain-based design for one of the most sensitive data-sharing processes within the anti-doping ecosystem. Throughout this article, it is shown that the adoption of a permissioned blockchain can benefit the whole anti-doping community, creating more reliable processes for handling data, where privacy and security are enhanced.
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| 2021 |
Read D, Smith ACT, Skinner J, 'A Comparative Analysis of Competitive Balance Between a Closed and an Open League in Rugby League', JOURNAL OF SPORTS ECONOMICS, 22, 871-892 (2021) [C1]
League regulators aim for an equitable competition where each team has an equal chance of winning the championship, termed competitive balance. It is generally assumed ... [more] League regulators aim for an equitable competition where each team has an equal chance of winning the championship, termed competitive balance. It is generally assumed that closed leagues with stricter labor market regulations should demonstrate better competitive balance than open leagues with promotion and relegation. The aim of this research was to examine the competitive balance between and within seasons in the closed Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and open English Super League using five measures of concentration and dominance. Overall, the closed NRL competition demonstrated superior competitive balance. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
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| 2021 |
Skinner J, Smith ACT, 'Introduction: sport and COVID-19: impacts and challenges for the future (Volume 1)', EUROPEAN SPORT MANAGEMENT QUARTERLY, 21, 323-332 (2021) [B1]
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| 2020 |
Swanson S, Billsberry J, Kent A, Skinner J, Mueller J, 'Leader prototypicality in sport: The implicit leadership theories of women and men entering sport management careers', SPORT MANAGEMENT REVIEW, 23, 640-656 (2020) [C1]
Implicit leadership theories (ILTs) matter because they are used as the benchmark against which people determine who is a leader and who is not. This assessment informs... [more] Implicit leadership theories (ILTs) matter because they are used as the benchmark against which people determine who is a leader and who is not. This assessment informs their behavioral responses. People are thought to have a superordinate-level ILT representing their prototypical mental model of leadership and a series of basic-level ILTs. Each of these represents how people conceptualize leadership in particular domains (e.g., sport, politics, and popular culture). In this study, the authors generate the structures of basic-level sport management ILTs for women and men who are about to enter this industry. These form the baseline from which socialization to work, organizational cultures, and the sport management industry begins. The ILTs of women entering sport management careers have a 35-item, 6-factor structure (Sensitivity, Knowledgeable, Physical Attractiveness, Inspirational, Dedication, and Focused), whereas men entering the industry have a 32-item, 7-factor structure (Sensitivity, Dedication, Physical Attractiveness, Focused, Creativity, Inspirational, Courageous). The resulting sport management ILT profiles differ from superordinate ones by emphasizing physical and vitality attributes, incorporating emotional elements, and by eschewing antiprototypical elements. The paper ends with a discussion of the implications for leadership research in sport management.
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| 2020 |
Read D, Skinner J, Lock D, Houlihan B, 'Balancing mission creep, means, effectiveness and legitimacy at the World Anti-Doping Agency', Performance Enhancement and Health, 8 (2020) [C1]
Established in 1999, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was an ambitious project to harmonise anti-doping regulations globally. Since its creation, WADA has engaged in... [more] Established in 1999, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was an ambitious project to harmonise anti-doping regulations globally. Since its creation, WADA has engaged in additional activities such as investigating doping allegations, managing whistleblowers and coordinating with national and international customs organisations. These activities demonstrate 'mission creep', a term denoting that WADA's purpose has broadened from its original responsibilities. Lawrence (2008) argues that the relationship between an international non-governmental organisation's legitimacy to regulate an issue and mission creep is related to its means (i.e., physical and non-physical resources) and effectiveness. This article explores how WADA's mission creep has influenced its perceived legitimacy as the regulator of anti-doping, globally. Following analysis of 14 interviews with occupationally and globally diverse anti-doping professionals, three themes were identified: code implementation, representation, and conflicts of interest. It is argued that the legitimacy of WADA to regulate anti-doping has been weakened due to tensions created by responding to emerging challenges in order to maintain legitimacy, whilst trying to secure means. These tensions have diverted resources to new activities and, therefore, reduced WADA's effectiveness in other activities; paradoxically undermining its legitimacy. Consequently, it is advised that WADA prioritises its responsibilities, looks for additional sources of means and addresses democratic deficiencies.
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| 2019 |
Pullen E, Jackson D, Silk M, Scullion R, 'Re-presenting the Paralympics: (contested) philosophies, production practices and the hypervisibility of disability', MEDIA CULTURE & SOCIETY, 41, 465-481 (2019) [C1]
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| 2019 |
Peng Q, Skinner J, Houlihan B, 'An analysis of the Chinese Football Reform of 2015: why then and not earlier?', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT POLICY AND POLITICS, 11, 1-18 (2019) [C1]
In March 2015, the Chinese government issued the Overall Plan for Chinese Football Reform and Development, which aimed to develop football in China from the grassroots ... [more] In March 2015, the Chinese government issued the Overall Plan for Chinese Football Reform and Development, which aimed to develop football in China from the grassroots level to the elite level. The salient element of the plan was to separate the Chinese Football Association (CFA) from direct government control. Considering the previous failed attempts to reform the CFA, this paper asks the question 'why the reform occurred in 2015 and not earlier?' and aims to: 1) identify the potential sources of the policy change through the lens of the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) and 2) examine the timing and conditions under which the Chinese government initiated the football reform. Public policy documents and media reports from 1993 to 2017 were collected and analysed; 17 interviews were conducted with key policy actors within the CFA and professional football clubs in varying tiers of Chinese football leagues. The findings suggest that the failure of previous policy attempts at improving Chinese football (policy stream), match-fixing scandals and the continuing under-performance of the national men's team (problem stream), the increasingly critical national mood towards football and the turnover of Presidency (political stream) combined in the mid-2010s opened a 'policy window' which facilitated this significant change. This research is the first paper to apply the MSF theory to explain the Chinese football reform that occurred in 2015. It extends the application of MSF to a different political and cultural environment and has implications for the policy-making in China.
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| 2019 |
Read D, Skinner J, Lock D, Houlihan B, 'Legitimacy driven change at the World Anti-Doping Agency', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT POLICY AND POLITICS, 11, 233-245 (2019) [C1]
The effectiveness of the World Anti-Doping Agency as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to regulate anti-doping policy has been challenged by... [more] The effectiveness of the World Anti-Doping Agency as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to regulate anti-doping policy has been challenged by doping scandals in sport. Historically, anti-doping policy development has been primarily reactive, determined by the need for dominant organisations to maintain power rather than to protect athletes. The purpose of this paper is to explore reactive anti-doping policy change from a multi-level legitimacy perspective. Using multi-level legitimacy theory and the concept of legitimacy challenges, it is argued that reactive policy change is motivated by a need to manage perceived organisational legitimacy. The recent exposure of systematic doping in Russia is used as an example to support this analysis. These findings are discussed in the context of current criticisms of anti-doping policy.
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| 2018 |
Billsberry J, Mueller J, Skinner J, Swanson S, Corbett B, Ferkins L, 'Reimagining Leadership in Sport Management: Lessons From the Social Construction of Leadership', JOURNAL OF SPORT MANAGEMENT, 32, 170-182 (2018) [C1]
Conventional approaches to leadership in sport management regard leadership as a leader-centric phenomenon. Recent advances in the generic leadership literature have hi... [more] Conventional approaches to leadership in sport management regard leadership as a leader-centric phenomenon. Recent advances in the generic leadership literature have highlighted the way that people construct their own understanding of leadership and shown that these influence their assessment and responses to people they regard as leaders. This observer-centric perspective is collectively known as the social construction of leadership. In this conceptual paper, we demonstrate how this emerging theoretical approach can reframe and invigorate our understanding of leadership in sport management.We explore the research implications of this new approach, reflect on what this might mean for teaching, and discuss the practical ramifications for leadership in sport management that might flow from the adoption of this approach.
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| 2018 |
Ferkins L, Skinner J, Swanson S, 'Sport Leadership: A New Generation of Thinking', JOURNAL OF SPORT MANAGEMENT, 32, 77-81 (2018)
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| 2018 |
Skinner J, Engelberg T, 'New problems, new challenges: embracing innovative approaches to sport research', SPORT IN SOCIETY, 21, 179-184 (2018)
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| 2018 |
De Silva V, Caine M, Skinner J, Dogan S, Kondoz A, Peter T, Axtell E, Birnie M, Smith B, 'Player Tracking Data Analytics as a Tool for Physical Performance Management in Football: A Case Study from Chelsea Football Club Academy', SPORTS, 6 (2018) [C1]
Background: Global positioning system (GPS) based player movement tracking data are widely used by professional football (soccer) clubs and academies to provide insight... [more] Background: Global positioning system (GPS) based player movement tracking data are widely used by professional football (soccer) clubs and academies to provide insight into activity demands during training and competitive matches. However, the use of movement tracking data to inform the design of training programmes is still an open research question. Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse player tracking data to understand activity level differences between training and match sessions, with respect to different playing positions. Methods: This study analyses the per-session summary of historical movement data collected through GPS tracking to profile high-speed running activity as well as distance covered during training sessions as a whole and competitive matches. We utilise 20,913 data points collected from 53 football players aged between 18 and 23 at an elite football academy across four full seasons (2014¿2018). Through ANOVA analysis and probability distribution analysis, we compare the activity demands, measured by the number of high-speed runs, the amount of high-speed distance, and distance covered by players in key playing positions, such as Central Midfielders, Full Backs, and Centre Forwards. Results and Implications: While there are significant positional differences in physical activity demands during competitive matches, the physical activity levels during training sessions do not show positional variations. In matches, the Centre Forwards face the highest demand for High Speed Runs (HSRs), compared to Central Midfielders and Full Backs. However, on average the Central Midfielders tend to cover more distance than Centre Forwards and Full Backs. An increase in high-speed work demand in matches and training over the past four seasons, also shown by a gradual change in the extreme values of high-speed running activity, was also found. This large-scale, longitudinal study makes an important contribution to the literature, providing novel insights from an elite performance environment about the relationship between player activity levels during training and match play, and how these vary by playing position.
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| 2017 |
Gowthorp L, Toohey K, Skinner J, 'Government involvement in high performance sport: an Australian national sporting organisation perspective', International Journal of Sport Policy, 9, 153-171 (2017) [C1]
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Summer Olympic National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to det... [more] The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Summer Olympic National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to determine the effect the relationship has on Olympic performance outcomes. Five Olympic NSOs were examined: Athletics Australia, Cycling Australia, Rowing Australia, Swimming Australia and Yachting Australia. All five NSOs represent sports in which Australia has consistently achieved strong results at previous Olympic Games. These NSOs receive significant funding from the ASC and, as such, are expected to achieve success at the Olympic Games. The ASC¿NSO relationship was examined through an agency theory framework whereby the 'contracts' between the ASC (principal) and the NSOs (agents) were investigated through a survey, interviews and document analysis to identify potential management issues that may affect Olympic performance outcomes, such as agent or principal opportunism. The findings identified a lack of a collaborative high performance sport system in Australia, with the findings emphasising concerns over the ASC's management of NSO programmes. While the ASC staff identified their organisation as the leader of high performance sport in Australia, the study's NSO participants did not believe that the ASC had the capacity, capability and knowledge to fulfil this role.
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| 2016 |
Engelberg T, Skinner J, 'Doping in sport: Whose problem is it?', SPORT MANAGEMENT REVIEW, 19, 1-5 (2016)
In the last few years there has been a significant increase in the number and scope of social science research into doping in sport. However, despite this apparent prog... [more] In the last few years there has been a significant increase in the number and scope of social science research into doping in sport. However, despite this apparent progress, the field remains a disparate body of work and lacks both direction and leadership. Whilst sport management is a discipline that is well suited to provide such leadership, scholarly research into this controversial topic has not been published widely in sport management journals. This special issue redresses this gap by bringing together a range of scholarly articles that represent a variety of perspectives by authors from North America, Europe and Australia. The issues and challenges covered are varied, but each paper brings a common theme: the implications for the management of doping in sport. The six papers in this Special Issue of Sport Management Review are a significant addition to the slowly growing body of sport management scholarly work on doping in sport. It is hoped that future research will be prompted with this Special Issue and the discipline of sport management will recognize and respond to the challenges presented by doping.
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| 2012 | Steer M, 'Australian report', DbI Review, 44-48 (2012) [C3] | |||||||
| Show 65 more journal articles | ||||||||
Report (19 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Swanson S, Collison H, Burnett C, Skinner J, 'Sport for Development and Olympic Movement Stakeholders: A Social Network Analysis. Final Report for The IOC Olympic Studies Centre Advanced Olympic Research' (2021) | ||
| 2019 | Skinner J, 'Sport for Social Integration: The Opportunity for London' (2019) | ||
| 2017 | Gratton C, Cuskelly G, Skinner J, Toohey K, Lock D, Kokolakakis T, 'Economic Value of Community Club Based Sport in Australia: Empirical Results' (2017) | ||
| Show 16 more reports | |||
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | PhD | Using Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for the Australian Digital Dollar Business Operation | PhD (Business Systems & Analy), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2023 | PhD | Changing the Playbook: The shifting institutional landscape of NCAA | PhD (Management), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
News
News • 15 Apr 2025
Get a university degree at the SCG
Sydney’s iconic Sydney Cricket Ground and the state-of-the-art Allianz Stadium next door will soon play host to university students working towards a future career in sport.
Professor James Skinner
Position
Head of School
Newcastle Business School
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
| james.skinner@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | 0240550915 |






