NOTE TO USER Page(s) not included in the original manuscript are unavailable from the author or university. The manuscript was microfilmed as received. Il,3l This is reproduction is the best copy available UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA The Canadian Hockey Association Merger: An Analysis of Institutional Change - Julie A. Stevens { z--i 'ï.-7. ' .." *Z A thesis subrnitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosop hy Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Edmonton, Alberta Spring, 2001 National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1+1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada Your fi& Votre refërence Our lFle Noire rfffdrence The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Libraty of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fkom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantieIs may be printed or othemise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. The Canadian Hockey Association Merger: An Analysis of Institutional Change Abstract Previous research in the Canadian amateur sport system explored organizational change according to a macro perspective and therefore, failed to account for the rnicro- level forces that influence transformation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the intra-organizational dynarnics of change within a national level Canadian sport organization. This qualitative case analysis focuses upon a six-year time period dunng which the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) merged with Hockey Canada WC) to form the Canadian Hockey Association (CHA). The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was formed in 1914 and as the national governing body for hockey in Canada it was deeply embedded in the cornmunity traditions of the game where gassroots membership interests were focal. On the other hand, Hockey Canada was formed in 1969 by the federal govemment and was entrenched within both the state political apparatus and the corporate domain. It is clear that the development of ice hockey in Canada was characterized by a history of antagonisms between cornmunity and commercial interests in the sport. These tensions were inherited by the CHA where cclntradictions between the CAHA's "sport provider" design and HC's "sport marketer" design emerged. The change process included an early stage of consurnrnation where tremendous uncertainty grew within the association. This was followed by stages two and three where numerous oscillations between archetypes occurred. Finally, stage four revealed a new design where the structural remnants of the "sport provider" were layered upon the interpretive rernnants of the "sport marketer". Here, a new sport archetype, the Amateur Spon Enterprise, has emerged within the Canadian amateur sport institutional sector. The internai dynamics of change highlighted the four major elements identified in Greenwood and Hinings' (1996) mode1 of institutionai change. The findings suggested that the precipitating dynamics of interests and value commihnents played an important role in generating a new interpretive scheme, while the enabling dynamics of power and organizational capacity influenced oscillations and delays dong the merger track. In addition, internai differentiation, or schisms, impacts the change process at numerous stages dong the track. Acknowledgements There is no doubt in my mind that a PhD is a journey that takes you dong many p~fhs. My doctorate involved several changes and adjustrnents. I was fortunate to work with supportive faculty who served as advisor and committee members. Each of these people encouraged me and provided confidence. Tim Burton is a tremendous mentor and advisor to me both in texms of completing the dissertation and in pursuing my academic career as a whole. Ann Hall taught me valuable lessons and continues to be an important source of advice and insight as 1 develop my career. Royston Greenwood supported my efforts to pursue both organizational analysis and sport studies and encouraged me to work across both fields. Debra Shogan offered a strong sounding board of reason and provided a powefil mode1 of what it takes to be a respected academic. 1 greatly appreciate Tom Hinch's involvement on my committee and his interest in the project. As the external examiner, Teny Haggerty offered insightfd comments regarding the project and encouraged me to continue my research in this area. Finally, 1 would like to thank Trevor Slack for being an early champion for my PhD and his support during the eady part of my program. 1 also wish to thank various volunteers and administrators within the Canadian Hockey Association who offered intellectual and financial support to my project. In particular, 1 thank Mr. Frank Lento, Chainnan of the Board of Directors at the time my proposal was approved by the CHA. He championed the proposal and acted as an avid supporter within the CHA. He was accompanied by a number of insightful volunteers who felt that a project such as mine was an important endeavour for the CHA as a whole. Various officers who served on the executive cornmittee at the time were Mr. Don Brown, Mr. Wayne Russell, Mr. Sheldon Lanchberry, Mr. Michel Legace, Mr. Don Boutorac, Mr. Alan Matthews, and Mr. Bob MacKinnon. In addition, numerous volunteers, such as Branch Presidents, Executive Directors, Council Chairs and members, offered their time to conduct interviews, provide documents and service follow-up phone cails. 1 am greatly appreciative of their cornmitment to my research project. These are people who already give their time freely to the hockey cause, and although their time with me might have been short, it was nevertheless a significant contribution. Many CHA staff also supporîed the project and set aside time from their busy work schedules to participate in the study. Mr. Murray Costello and M..Bob Nicholson served as CAHA President and CHA President respective1y, dunng the project. 1 am grateful to each of them for endorsing the project and encouraging staff to cooperate. Mr. Mike McGraw played a considerable role in scheduling my visits and interviews at the annual general meeting and CHA head offices. Mr. Earl Young provided assiatcne during my visit O the Calgary head office. Mr. Dan Moro was the staff liaison for the research project and provided general insight during the project. Final1y, 1 wish to thank the Research Working Cornmittee of the CHA Development Council, chaired by Mr. Al Ferchuk, for its support during the early stages of this praject. 1 hope the CfFA will utilize this studg to continue its efforts towards improvement and self-reflection. Completing this dissertation invoived a long process of perseverance. 1 experienced a tremendous network of fiiendship during my time at the University of Alberta. In particular, an amazing social and professionai network, called the "Remedians" emerged during my time at U of A - Debra, Gloria, Karen, Ange, Michelle, Joannie, Mamie, Christine, Tosha, Lori, Cathy, and Judy. Thank you Remedians for you help and laughter! Remember - rnembership is for life! My family played a crucial role in helping me endure the peaks and valleys of the PhD experience. My mother, Sharon believed that each daughter should have the opportunity to attend university. 1, as the eldest, took full advantage to extend the package into a 13 year deal! My father, Ron supported my academic pursuits from the early days of my undergraduate through to the final PhD chapter. My sisters, Robyn and Suzanne, often expressed pride in my achievements and offered tremendous boosts of confidence - although - 1 don? think they ever liked the sport of hockey! Finally, 1 hold tremendous love and gratitude to my husband, Ron Kassie. We met, married and moved to Alberta to start the PhD together. We had no idea where it would take us but in the end we landed on Our feet. His support and love carried me through every moment of the dissertation. We enjoyed many adventures in Edmonton and will always have fond memories of life in the wild west! Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction page 1 Chapter 2 Research Design and Data Management Chapter 3 Development of the Canadian Hockey System: A Process of institutional Divergence and Convergence Chapter 4 The Canadian Hockey Association Merger and the Emergence of the Amateur Sport Enterprise Chapter 5 Organizational Change and Intra-Organizational Dynarnics Chapter 6 Conclusion References Appendix A Glossary of Terms Appendix B Interview Guide List of Tables Table 4: 1 The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and page 85 Hockey Canada Archetypes Table 42 The Canadian Hockey Association Design and 123 Amateur Sport Enterprise Archetype Characteristics List of Figures Figure 3 :1 Development of the Canadian Hockey Page Institutional System Figure 3:2 Institutional Developrnent Figure 4: 1 Generic Track: Archetype De-coupling and Re-coupling Figure 4:2 Configurations (tracks) of Interpretive De-couphg and Re-coupling Figure 4:3 Reorientations (transfomations) Figure 4:4 Canadian Hockey Association Merger Reorientation Figure 45 Canadian Hockey Association Merger Track Figure 5:l Model for Understanding Organizational Change Figure 5:2 Schisms as an Intra-organizational D ynamic of Change Figure 53 Intra-dynarnics and the Canadian Hockey Association Merger Track CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION In 1914, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) becarne the sport governing body for amateur hockey throughout Canada.