Hot mot hierarkin

Sammanfattning: Threats towards hierarchy Seminar date: 02/06/2022 Course: Bachelor Degree Project in Organization Undergraduate Level Authors: Rasmus Engström, Emma Hedlund, Mathilda Hesslevik Supervisor: Nadja Sörgärde & Johan Jönsson Five keywords: Hierarchy, rationalization, stabilization, destabilization, sports teams Research question: How are hierarchies (de)stabilized within a football team? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create a deeper understanding of what stabilizes the hierarchy within sports teams, but also how destabilizing threats arise and are expressed. Methodology: The study has a social constructionist perspective and an abductive approach. To address the purpose, a qualitative interview study was conducted with football players in a Division 1 football team. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 players in the football team, as well as the head coach. Theoretical perspective: This section deals with previous research regarding groups and hierarchies with a special focus on social hierarchies, more specifically in team sports. Empirical foundation: The empirics is divided after the positions that exist in the hierarchy, how the players are divided into these and furthermore, rationalization of the hierarchy and lastly, confusion concerning expectations. Conclusion: The football players showcase a rationalizing process which has its foundations in other motives than merely the avoidance of sanctions, but nonetheless stabilizes the hierarchy. One destabilizing factor is the threat cohesion makes against the hierarchy, when there are contradicting expectations.