Strategic planning and selection of players and coaching staff : a case study of a basketball organization

Abstract

PURPOSE: The study aims to identify the activities of a professional basketball organization in the area of planning and selection of players and coaching staff. It focuses on understanding how strategic personnel decisions support the club's goals and overall performance.

METHODOLOGY: The case study method was used, supplemented with a structured interview and direct, time-limited observation. The research was conducted over several months in 2024 within a top-tier Polish basketball club, using an interview questionnaire as the main research tool.

FINDINGS: The research highlights that effective team planning in the organization is a continuous, strategically integrated process aligned with the club’s financial and competitive goals. Selection of players and coaches is based on both performance data and psychological traits like team fit and mental resilience. Recruitment relies on internal development, scouting, and networks rather than open calls. The organization emphasizes the importance of aligning coaching staff with the club's philosophy and allowing head coaches autonomy in building their teams.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study shows that structured, ongoing planning and wellinformed recruitment processes are key to building competitive sports teams. Developing internal databases, fostering scouting networks, and giving coaching staff decision-making power enhance organizational effectiveness in sports clubs.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper provides a unique contribution by exploring planning and recruitment processes in a professional basketball context—an area underrepresented in HRM literature. It offers practical insights into the operational and strategic logic behind team-building in elite sports organizations, bridging management theory and sports practice.