Innovation drivers, barriers, and strategies of organizing committees for the Olympic games: an embedded single-case study approach

Research question Using organizational innovation as a framework, this empirical study explores the drivers of innovation within Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs), highlights barriers that may hamper their abilities to innovate, and discusses strategies to overcome these barriers and enhance innovation capabilities.Research method A qualitative embedded single-case study approach focusing on two OCOGs (i.e. 2024 Paris Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) as the embedded units of analysis was conducted through an analysis of archival materials and interviews with key informants (n = 16) regarding innovation.Results and findings Results suggest OCOGs experience various environmental, organizational, and individual drivers toward innovation but also encounter certain barriers (e.g. resistance to change, organizational characteristics, and knowledge limitations) that hinder the implementation of new practices. Suggestions are provided for ways OCOGs can enhance their innovation capabilities.Implications This study adds a new dimension to sport event management literature by applying innovation concepts (i.e. organizational innovation) to the unique context of OCOGs, where innovation has become increasingly important in meeting stakeholder expectations. In doing so, this study contributes to the literature on innovation-related strategies and offers insight on how mega-sport event organizers can enhance their innovative capabilities.