KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Abstract

This systematic review is an analysis of the effect of knowledge management on the performance of sports organizations. It is a synthesis of quantitative and mixed-methods evidence from 2005 to 2026, and is conducted using a rigorous methodology. The study explores different entities including federations, professional clubs and mega event committees. The goal is to determine if cognitive abilities create competitive advantage and organizational success. The findings indicate that overall performance is mainly positively related to knowledge processes.  Human capital and knowledge sharing emerge as important indicators of organizational success. Innovation, culture and organizational learning are key mediators. This relationship, however, depends on the institutional context, governance and integration practice. In professional soccer, intangible assets can have a major impact on both performance and profitability. On the other hand, temporary companies have a hard time moving tactical learning into lasting strategic enhancements. The study underscores the importance of objective measures and longitudinal studies to validate these relationships. To sum up, knowledge management is a key factor in performance and its effectiveness relies on knowledge retention.

Keywords: Knowledge Management, Sports Organizations, Organizational Performance, Systematic Review, Intellectual Capital