The Effect of Innovation Capability on Innovative Performance of Sport Clubs

Sports clubs have been encouraged to make a difference to meet customer satisfaction and expectations. Due to the growth of commercialization and professionalism of the sports industry, the capability of sports clubs to create innovation is important. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to study the effect of innovation capability dimensions on innovation performance of sport clubs. The present study is a descriptive, correlational and purpose-based research. The researcher made questionnaire of innovation capability and standard questionnaire of innovation performance were used for data collection. The validity was confirmed by ten experts and its reliability was obtained through appropriate Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The statistical population of the study consisted of coaches and owners of all sport clubs in Lorestan province with 250 persons. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were used. The results of this study showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between dimensions of innovation capability and innovation performance in sport clubs and the dimension of innovation structure. The greatest effect was external knowledge, leadership, individual knowledge and culture of innovation had a positive and significant effect on the innovative performance of sport clubs, respectively. It seems that sports clubs can take advantage of the innovative capacity to innovate and innovate in a variety of approaches, and thus take the lead over other clubs in driving competitive advantage and profitability. The consequence of innovation capability can be beneficial to the owners of the clubs in differentiating and innovating sports clubs.