An examination of good governance principles in municipal sports institutions

The aim of this research is to examine the elements of good governance in the sports sector and to determine the impact of various demographic variables on the evaluation of the implementation of good governance principles. By focusing on local-level applications of good governance, this study fills an important gap in understanding how key principles such as transparency, accountability, and participation are reflected in practice. The study was conducted on managers working for one of the largest sports organizations in Türkiye, Spor Istanbul. The sample group consisted of 76 managers, 43% male (n = 33) and 57% female (n = 43), selected using a purposeful sampling method. Participants were administered the Good Governance Principles Scale alongside a personal information form. The data collected were analyzed with SPSS. Statistical methods such as T-tests, ANOVA, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis were employed to explore relationships between demographic variables and governance dimensions. The findings revealed statistically significant differences in participants’ perceptions of good governance based on gender and educational status. Female managers scored higher across all sub-dimensions—transparency, participation and democracy, control mechanisms, integrity, and solidarity and development—highlighting the potential influence of gender on governance awareness. Additionally, participants with a master’s degree demonstrated higher awareness in the transparency dimension, suggesting that educational attainment contributes to a deeper understanding of governance-related accountability. However, variables such as age, position, and years of service did not yield significant differences, indicating that governance perceptions may be shaped more by individual attributes than institutional roles. These results emphasize the importance of enhancing diversity and education-focused training within sports organizations to strengthen governance culture. Ultimately, the study contributes to the literature by evidencing how demographic factors intersect with governance principles and underscores the necessity of inclusive, transparent practices in municipal sports institutions.