Royal family business in Qatar and the Emirates through sports club management: "Green washing" or a sustainable model? The cases of FC Barcelona and Manchester City

• Published in: International journal of employment studies Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 5 - 25
• Main Authors: Rabasso, Carlos A, Briars, Martin, Rabasso, Javier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Employment Relations Association 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Environmental aspects; Family-owned business enterprises; Family-owned businesses; Futbol Club Barcelona; Management; Manchester United (Soccer team); Social responsibility of business; Sports; Sports associations; Sports clubs; Qatar; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; Spain
• ISSN: 1039-6993

How can family business at an international level have an impact on state policies related to corporate social responsibility and democracy in the home country? Is this the strategy of Qatar and the Emirates through sports management? How will the responsible activities of FC Barcelona and Manchester City have an impact on social issues and on the brand images of Qatar and Emirates around the world? These questions are the point of departure for this comparative study of two of the most influential football clubs in Europe, where Qatar and Emirates have had a strong presence in the management and/or the sponsoring of these new sports brands over the past few years. The multicultural histories of these two clubs becoming corporate sports giants through the game of football are a key element in determining what kind of relationship these two football organisations have with global responsibility and sustainability. The purpose of this study is to try to understand what lies behind the new business strategy of these sports organisations and how the corporate cultural differences with Qatar and Emirates can be overcome with the emergence of a responsible vision through the activities of their foundations.