The use of sports metaphors to convey business lessons both within and outside the
classroom is a common phenomenon. The sports metaphor, however, is prone to
misuse and can often inadvertently exclude large segments of the student popula
tion. To address these issues, we put forth an innovative and novel pedagogical
approach that attempts to capitalize better on the shared meanings between athlet
ics and certain business practices. Using the sports of tennis and basketball, we
demonstrate how sports metaphors can he responsibly used to aid in the under
standing of business lessons, such as managerial decision making.
Aguilar, F.J. (1967). Scanning the Bbusiness Eenvironment. New York: Macmillan.
2.
Archer, M., & Cohen, R. (Winter,1998). Sidelined on the (judicial) bench: Sports metaphors in judicial opinions. American Business Law Journal , Winter: 225-248.
Bourgeois, L.J. (1980). Strategy and environment: A conceptual integration . Academy of Management Review, 5(1), 25-39.
5.
Daft, R., Sormunen, J., & Parks, D. (1988). Chief executive scanning environmental characteristics, and company performance: An empirical study. Strategic Management Journal, 9(2), 554-571.
6.
Dess, G.G. (1987). Consensus on strategy formulation and organizational performance: Competitors in a fragmented industry. Strategic Management Journal, 8(3), 259-277.
7.
Freedman, D., Hanvey, N., Lindsey, S., Ryan, E., & Bell, J. (1995). Everyday mathematics: HomeLinks. University of Chicago School Mathematics Project: Everyday Learning Corp.
8.
Harrison, E.F., & Pelletier, M.A. (1997). Managerial attitudes towards strategic decisions: Maximizing versus satisficing outcomes. Management Decision, 35(5), 358-365.
9.
Hill, R.C., & Levenhagen, M. (1995). Metaphors and mental models: Sensemaking and sensegiving in innovative and entrepreneurial activities. Journal of Management, 21(6), 1057-1075.
10.
Holpp, L. (1987). Technical training for nontechnical learners. Training and Development Journal, 41(10), 54-58.
11.
Katz, N. (2001). Sports teams as a model for workplace teams: Lessons and liabilities. The Academy of Management Executive, 15 (3), 56-67.
12.
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors we live by. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
13.
Miller, D., & Friesen, P.H. (1983). Strategy-making and environment: The third link . Strategic Management Journal, 4(3), 221-235.
14.
Milliken, F.J. (1990). Perceiving and interpreting environmental change: An examination of college administrators' interpretation of changing demographics . Academy of Management Journal, 33 (1), 42-63.
15.
Mintzberg, H. (1990). The design school: Reconsidering the basic premises of strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 11(3), 171-195.
16.
Morgan, G. (1986). Images of organization. London : Sage Publishing.
17.
Palmatier, R.A., & Ray, H.L. (1989). Sports talk: A dictionary of sports metaphors . New York: Greenwood Press.
18.
Wellins, R.S., Byham, W.C., & Wilson, J.M. (1991). Empowered teams. San Francisco : Jossey Bass.
