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5.5 Future Research
There are a number of research opportunities in the area of inter-partner learning
emerging from this study. These can be divided into research context and research
questions.
In terms of context, there are additional NSO-PSF case study opportunities in New
Zealand. As with any single case study, the issue of extrapolation is problematic and the
question of whether the results of this research are applicable to other relationships is best
left until data from these alliances is collected. Whilst instances of NSO-PSF alliances may
be rare in the world, there are examples in Australia whereby state sporting organisations
have a close relationship with PSFs. This context is very suitable to the study of alliances.
The inter-partner learning between and amongst organisations in a sport - the clubs, the
regional bodies and its NSO – is another context that should also be explored. Athletes and
coaches who are employed by both the NSO and the PSF is a more specific set of
circumstances within which there is a reasonable expectation that the opportunity for inter-
partner learning is quite high. There are also those external relationships between sport
organisations and their media and commercial partners (i.e. sponsors).
A number of research questions can also be raised. These include: 1) To what extent
does profit orientation impact upon inter-partner learning? 2) What is the impact of dual
appointments (i.e. a person being employed both organisations) on the transfer of
knowledge between alliance partners? 3) Do organisations realise the benefits of learning
payoff in alliances? 4) How does inter-partner learning evolve over time? 5) Are NSO’s
able to protect their competencies given their public status? 6) What level of trust exists
between partners in an alliance? 7) Which employees are the key sources of knowledge
transfer between organisations?
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