Administrative Creativity as a Gateway to Developing Sports Organization Management in the United Arab Emirates

Scientific Sports Conference for Physical Education Faculties in Jordanian Universities The 5th Sports Creativity Conference in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award July 3–4, 2013

Authors: Dr. Hamada Eid Nawar Al-Antably and Dr. Hisham Abdel Halim Mahmoud

Study Overview: This study aimed to identify the foundations of administrative creativity, the current practices of administrative creativity within sports organizations, and the facilitators of such creativity. Furthermore, it sought to develop a proposed framework for enhancing the management of sports organizations in the United Arab Emirates based on these administrative creativity practices. The researchers employed a descriptive survey methodology.

Participants: The study sample consisted of 261 participants selected randomly from various entities:

Sports Clubs (200 participants): Al-Ahli (Dubai), Al-Shabab (Dubai), Al-Jazira (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah, Dibba Al-Fujairah, Ittihad Kalba, Al-Khaleej (Khorfakkan), and Al-Dhaid.

Sports Councils (30 participants): Dubai Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council, and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare (16 participants).

Leaders Preparation Center in Dubai (15 participants). A pilot sample of 30 individuals (outside the main study) was used to establish scientific coefficients. A questionnaire was used for data collection.

Key Findings:

Foundations of Administrative Creativity: Organizational belonging, creative problem-solving, and teamwork are fundamental.

Practices of Administrative Creativity: Key practices include participative decision-making, delegation of authority, time management, effective communication, emphasis on human relations, calculated risk-taking, encouraging modern creative management styles, and providing material and moral incentives for creative individuals.

Key Recommendations:

Implement the proposed framework to elevate and develop the management of UAE sports organizations.

Establish new standards for selecting sports organization managers and promoting administrators based on their competence, capacity for innovation, and ability to develop the organization, rather than relying solely on seniority or traditional performance reports.