Development of a national sport integrity system

ABSTRACT The persistence of integrity problems in national sports organizations (NSOS) globally suggests that current approaches (e.g., good governance, piece meal legislation and policy) to curbing them are ineffective. Scholars have argued for a broad strategy to enhance integrity, deter unethical behavior, and prevent integrity system failures. theoretical gap exists in conceptualizing a national sport integrity system (NSIS). Drawing from accountability, integrity systems, integrity management, and sport integrity literatures a holistic and configurational framework of the actors, and the internal and external components of a NSIS was conceptualized. A NSIS is comprised of institutions, policies, practices, agencies, and actors responsible for promoting and safeguarding the integrity of an NSO. A NSIS was designed for both federated and unitary sport governance models that onsists of three interconnected components: the institutions that serve as the operational arm of the system, the accountability arm that is responsible for guarding integrity, and actors who manage the operational systems and accountability mechanisms. An NSO collaboratively coordinates and assists with capacity building to suitably delivery the system components across the respective levels of governance. The paper concludes with consideration of how the system may be used in practice, challenges for adoption, and directions for future research. HIGHLIGHTS The distinction and connection between sport integrity, integrity management and sport integrity systems are made. A novel approach to promoting sport integrity and curbing the broad range of integrity risks and violations is presented. The role of different actors in creating a national sport integrity system id. The design and implementation of a national sport integrity system for federate and unitary sport governance models is outlined. A framework that can be used to design an integrity system that is tailored to the country, national sport organization, and stakeholder needs is presented.