Athlete or employee. A study of professional handball players

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Problem identification and research question

1.2 Focus and relevance of research

2 Methodological Considerations

2.1 Research Philosophy

2.2 Research Design

2.2.1 Literature search

2.2.2 Interviewing experts

2.2.3 Focus groups/Interviews

2.3 Interview Methodology

2.3.1 Thematizing

2.3.2 Designing

2.3.3 Interviewing

2.3.4 Transcribing

2.3.5 Analyzing

2.3.6 Verifying

2.3.7 Reporting

2.4 Delimitation

3 Theoretical direction

3.1 Employee identity

3.2 Employer attractiveness

3.3 Employee retention

4 Danish professional handball

5 Findings

5.1 Research results

5.1.1 A search of the literature

5.1.2 Interviewing experts in the subject

5.1.3 Conducting interviews – summaries of meaning condensations

6 Analysis

6.1 Reflections on the interview process and the findings

6.2 Player 1

6.2.1 Theoretical analysis

6.2.2 Part conclusion

6.3 Player 2

6.3.1 Theoretical analysis

6.3.2 Part conclusion

6.4 Player 3

6.4.1 Theoretical analysis

6.4.2 Part conclusion

6.5 Player 4

6.5.1 Theoretical analysis

6.5.2 Part conclusion

6.6 Player 5

6.6.1 Theoretical analysis

6.6.2 Part conclusion

6.7 Player 6

6.7.1 Theoretical analysis

6.7.2 Part conclusion

7 Discussion

7.1 Comparison to expert interviews

7.2 Comparison to literature search

8 Closing points

8.1 Conclusion

8.1.1 The players’ attitudes and motivations towards employment

8.1.2 The players’ attitudes and motivations towards employers

8.1.3 What make some employers more attractive than others

8.2 Managerial Implications

8.3 Theoretical Implications

8.4 Directions for Future Research

Objectives and Research Themes

This thesis investigates the evolving nature of professional handball in Denmark, focusing on how elite players perceive their dual status as athletes and employees. It seeks to uncover the attitudes and motivations of these athletes toward their employment and identify the factors that influence their choice of employer.

• Evolution of professional handball from hobby to industry
• Employee identity and motivational archetypes
• Dimensions of employer attractiveness in sports
• Management of the psychological contract
• Impact of financial instability on player motivation

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: Introduces the shift of Danish handball from a leisure activity to a professional industry and presents the research question regarding player attitudes.

2 Methodological Considerations: Outlines the interpretivist research philosophy and the use of semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative insights.

3 Theoretical direction: Establishes frameworks for employee identity, employer attractiveness, and the psychological contract to analyze findings.

4 Danish professional handball: Provides context on the current state, professionalization, and economic realities of the Danish handball league.

5 Findings: Presents primary data gathered from literature reviews and expert interviews regarding the professional handball landscape.

6 Analysis: Analyzes the individual perspectives of six interviewed players in relation to motivational theories and professional commitment.

7 Discussion: Compares interview findings with existing literature and expert opinions to validate the research conclusions.

8 Closing points: Concludes the thesis by summarizing player motivations and providing managerial and theoretical implications for future research.

Keywords

Professional handball, Employee identity, Employer attractiveness, Psychological contract, Motivational theory, Sports management, Player motivation, Labour relations, Professionalization, Human Resources, Career development, Qualitative research, Denmark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this thesis?

The research examines the attitudes and motivations of elite professional handball players in Denmark, specifically regarding their dual role as athletes and employees within a professionalized industry.

What are the primary themes addressed?

Key themes include employee identity, organizational commitment, employer branding within the sports sector, and the maintenance of the psychological contract between clubs and players.

What is the central research question?

The study asks which attitudes and motivations elite Danish professional handball players hold regarding their employment and what factors make certain employers more attractive than others.

Which research methodology was applied?

The author employed a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews with experts and professional players to generate deep, meaningful insights into their lived experiences.

What is the primary contribution of the main analysis section?

The main analysis categorizes players into motivational archetypes and assesses how factors like salary, team culture, and management style impact their career decisions and organizational loyalty.

Which keywords define this research?

Major keywords include professional handball, employee identity, employer attractiveness, psychological contract, and motivational theory.

How does the "psychological contract" influence player motivation?

The thesis concludes that players feel demotivated when a club breaches promises, as they view their engagement as a commitment that requires reciprocal support and honest communication.

What role does financial reward play for these athletes?

While financial compensation is important for recognizing their skills and achievements, it is often secondary to sporting success, personal growth, and team dynamics for most players.