About us
The main goal of the DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT THEORIES, Faculty of Management Science and Informatics, The University of Žilina is the creation of an academic perspective and the application of management approaches with the support of information and communication technologies in the sports environment. We have devoted more than 12 YEARS to studying these issues in our department.
The aim of RESEARCH ACTIVITIES is to improve the functioning of sports organizations based on data analysis, digitization, and management recommendations. We cooperate with various organizations, including leading sports associations, sports clubs, and local governments. Many proposals have already been implemented and have contributed to the sustainability of these organizations.
As part of our TEACHING, we strive to prepare future sports managers who will be familiar with the sports environment and its specifics and connect them with the knowledge acquired at the university. Various subjects, in particular SPORTS MANAGEMENT, project-based teaching, and final theses in this field, serve to help them acquire knowledge and skills.
Our activity
Research and education in sports management
Research projects
We actively participate in domestic and international research projects focused on the development of sports and sports management.
Professional studies and scientific articles
We regularly produce our own professional studies and publish articles in domestic and foreign scientific journals.
Book publications
As part of our research and teaching activities, we regularly publish university textbooks and scientific monographs.
Educational materials
We prepare various educational materials as part of the training of athletes and sports managers.
Scientific journal SMSEP
The scientific journal Sport Management, Science, Education and Practice focuses on publishing research results in the field of sports management.
SMICEE conference
SMICEE – Sports Management
in Central & Eastern Europe brings together the scientific and professional community from various European countries.
Selected scientific articles and publications
Strategic Sport Management: Sustainability of Sports Clubs (2021)
Sport, and in particular the sporting environment, has undergone significant changes in recent decades. The social significance and commercialization of sport; the use of new technologies and organizational structures; and the involvement of various stakeholders matter more today than ever before. This book addresses the key influence of stakeholders in particular on the activities of sports organizations, taking into account certain territorial differences around the world, but also within Europe. The authors explain the key characteristics of the management of sports organizations as opposed to other organizations. These include the strategic management and setting of long-term goals such as sporting success, sustainable funding, youth training, and community building. The authors present a strategic model for these goals and stakeholders in the context of sport, together with research-based case studies in which the critical factors in the strategic management of successfuland unsuccessful sports organizations are identified.
Our team
Current members of the research team
Michal Varmus - Team Leader
Academic career
- Associate Professor at the Faculty of Management and Informatics, UNIZA
Professional career in sports
- Member of the Executive Committee of the Slovak Tennis Association (2014 - present)
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Sports Support Fund (2021 - 2023)
- International tennis referee (2007 - present)
Specialization: sports management, innovation, marketing
Milan Kubina - Head of Department
Academic career
- Professor at the Faculty of Management and Informatics, UNIZA
Specialization: IT service management, cybersecurity, digitization
Roman Adámik - Lecturer and researcher
Academic career
- Doctor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Management and Informatics, UNIZA
Professional career in sports
- PR manager, marketing specialist, team manager: BC Prievidza (2015 - 2021)
- Marketing consultant: Slávia Žilina (2018 - 2020)
- Video editor: Slovak Basketball League (2016 - 2017)
Specialization: strategic management, PR in sports, education
Martin Mičiak - Lecturer and researcher
Academic career
- Doctor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Management and Informatics, UNIZA
Specialization: human resources, motivation, creativity
Dominika Toman - Lecturer and researcher
Academic career
- Doctor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Management and Informatics, UNIZA
Specialization: ľudské zdroje, motivácia, tvorivosť
Michal Šarlák - PhD. student
Specialization: sports management, sports financing, ICT in sports
