How does the ball get onto the pitch? Equipment logistics management in sport organizations

Abstract This paper uncovers a specific yet scientifically untreated area at the intersection of logistics and sport management: sport equipment logistics. It asks what it is about, what organizational structures look like and how operations are managed. The study is exploratory. In cooperation with eleven German national sport federations semi-structured expert interviews are conducted to identify areas of interest from the heart of operational practice. Insights are derived inductively by means of a systematic qualitative content analysis. This paper is the first exploration of equipment logistics in sport organizations. The scope of equipment logistics—the movement and storage of equipment for athletes and events—is established. A conceptual framework for sport equipment logistics management is proposed based on logistical core services. The status quo of how federations organize and carry out equipment logistics activities is elaborated. Shared and individual characteristics of equipment logistics among sport organizations are identified and compared to other logistics sectors. Four elements of sport equipment logistics are defined to extend the academic body on sport logistics: purpose, material flow structure, organizational levels, area of operations. Additionally, logistics characteristics that are specific for sport equipment logistics are outlined, e.g., assortment, special processes, peculiarities of handling at actions. By developing a first structured overview of the field, including its organizational structures, typical processes, and sector-specific requirements, this study allows researchers to extend their conceptual and definitional understanding of equipment logistics. Practitioners can compare their current equipment logistics concept with the findings and gain useful insights.