Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football

Women’s football continues to face significant challenges rooted in historical inequalities and societal stereotypes, which have resulted in unequal resource allocation, limited media visibility, and systemic undervaluation of the women’s sport. Despite growing participation and increased attention,...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Salmijärvi, Outi
Other Authors: Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, Jyväskylän yliopisto, University of Jyväskylä
Format: Master's thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/101560
_version_ 1833407614000562176
author Salmijärvi, Outi
author2 Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_facet Salmijärvi, Outi Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä Salmijärvi, Outi Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_sort Salmijärvi, Outi
datasource_str_mv jyx
description Women’s football continues to face significant challenges rooted in historical inequalities and societal stereotypes, which have resulted in unequal resource allocation, limited media visibility, and systemic undervaluation of the women’s sport. Despite growing participation and increased attention, deeply embedded cultural and structural barriers persist, hindering the progress of gender equality in football. Therefore, this study explores gendered inequalities in women’s football, with a particular focus on how societal attitudes and institutional practices shape the sport’s development. The research examines the role of stakeholders—such as clubs, federations, sponsors, and media outlets—in promoting or hindering gender equality. Grounded in the theoretical framework of gender dynamics and stakeholder theory, the aim of this study is to emphasize the persistent gap between stakeholders’ public commitments to equality and their actual practices. The research data consists of seven semi-structured thematic interviews conducted with various stakeholders of the Finnish Kansallinen Liiga, including players, officials, and spectators. The data was analyzed using theory-guided content analysis, which helped identify how stakeholders' actions align with their stated values and map out measures for the development of women’s football. The findings reveal substantial discrepancies, particularly in resource allocation, media representation, and infrastructure support. These disparities are compounded by cultural stereotypes and systemic biases, which continue to marginalize women’s sports despite growing visibility and participation. The study concludes that stakeholders play a pivotal role in addressing these inequalities through concrete actions such as increasing investment, improving media coverage, and enhancing sponsorships. Bridging the gap between rhetoric and reality requires collaborative efforts, a shift in societal attitudes, and long-term commitments to dismantle entrenched structures that perpetuate discrimination. Ultimately, stakeholders must transition from symbolic gestures to genuine, proactive measures to create a more equitable future for women’s football. Naisten jalkapallo kohtaa yhä merkittäviä haasteita, jotka juontavat juurensa historialli-sista epätasa-arvoista ja yhteiskunnallisista stereotypioista. Nämä ovat johtaneet resurs-sien epätasaiseen jakautumiseen, rajoitettuun medianäkyvyyteen ja järjestelmälliseen lajin aliarvostukseen. Vaikka osallistujamäärät ja kiinnostus naisten jalkapalloa kohtaan ovat kasvaneet, syvälle juurtuneet kulttuuriset ja rakenteelliset esteet hidastavat suku-puolten tasa-arvon edistymistä lajissa. Tämä tutkimus tarkastelee sukupuolittuneita epätasa-arvoja naisten jalkapallossa keskittyen erityisesti siihen, miten yhteiskunnalliset asenteet ja institutionaaliset käytännöt muovaavat lajin kehitystä. Tutkimus analysoi sidosryhmien—kuten seurojen, liittojen, sponsoreiden ja median—roolia sukupuolten tasa-arvon edistämisessä tai estämisessä. Sukupuolidynamiikan ja sidosryhmäteorian viitekehykseen perustuen tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on tunnistaa kuilu sidosryhmien julkisten tasa-arvositoumusten ja todellisten toimien välillä. Tutkimusaineisto koostuu seitsemästä puolistrukturoidusta teemahaastattelusta, jotka on tehty Kansallisen Liigan eri sidosryhmille, kuten pelaajille, toimihenkilöille ja katsojille. Aineiston analysointiin käytettiin teoriaohjaavaa sisällönanalyysiä, jonka avulla selvitettiin, miten sidosryhmien teot vastaavat heidän julkilausuttuja arvojaan, sekä kartoitettiin toimenpiteitä, joilla naisten jalkapalloa voidaan kehittää. Tulokset paljasta-vat merkittäviä eroja erityisesti resurssien jakamisessa, medianäkyvyydessä ja infra-struktuurin tukemisessa. Näitä epätasa-arvoja pahentavat kulttuuriset stereotypiat ja järjestelmälliset ennakkoluulot, jotka edelleen marginalisoivat naisten urheilua huoli-matta sen kasvaneesta näkyvyydestä ja osallistujamääristä. Tutkimus osoittaa, että sidosryhmillä on keskeinen rooli näiden epätasa-arvojen poistamisessa konkreettisilla toimilla, kuten investointien lisäämisellä, medianäkyvyyden parantamisella ja sponsorointien vahvistamisella. Retoriikan ja todellisuuden välisen kuilun kaventaminen edellyttää yhteistyötä, yhteiskunnallisten asenteiden muutosta sekä pitkäjänteisiä sitoumuksia purkaa vakiintuneita rakenteita, jotka ylläpitävät syrjintää. Lopulta sidosryhmien on siirryttävä symbolisista eleistä todellisiin, ennakoiviin toimiin luodakseen tasa-arvoisemman tulevaisuuden naisten jalkapallolle.
first_indexed 2025-04-22T20:00:41Z
format Pro gradu
free_online_boolean 1
fullrecord [{"key": "dc.contributor.advisor", "value": "Heikkinen, Suvi", "language": null, "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "advisor", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.author", "value": "Salmij\u00e4rvi, Outi", "language": null, "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "author", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.accessioned", "value": "2025-04-22T13:39:29Z", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "accessioned", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.available", "value": "2025-04-22T13:39:29Z", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "available", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.issued", "value": "2025", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "issued", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.identifier.uri", "value": "https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/101560", "language": null, "element": "identifier", "qualifier": "uri", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.abstract", "value": "Women\u2019s football continues to face significant challenges rooted in historical inequalities and societal stereotypes, which have resulted in unequal resource allocation, limited media visibility, and systemic undervaluation of the women\u2019s sport. Despite growing participation and increased attention, deeply embedded cultural and structural barriers persist, hindering the progress of gender equality in football. \nTherefore, this study explores gendered inequalities in women\u2019s football, with a particular focus on how societal attitudes and institutional practices shape the sport\u2019s development. The research examines the role of stakeholders\u2014such as clubs, federations, sponsors, and media outlets\u2014in promoting or hindering gender equality. Grounded in the theoretical framework of gender dynamics and stakeholder theory, the aim of this study is to emphasize the persistent gap between stakeholders\u2019 public commitments to equality and their actual practices.\nThe research data consists of seven semi-structured thematic interviews conducted with various stakeholders of the Finnish Kansallinen Liiga, including players, officials, and spectators. The data was analyzed using theory-guided content analysis, which helped identify how stakeholders' actions align with their stated values and map out measures for the development of women\u2019s football. The findings reveal substantial discrepancies, particularly in resource allocation, media representation, and infrastructure support. These disparities are compounded by cultural stereotypes and systemic biases, which continue to marginalize women\u2019s sports despite growing visibility and participation. The study concludes that stakeholders play a pivotal role in addressing these inequalities through concrete actions such as increasing investment, improving media coverage, and enhancing sponsorships. Bridging the gap between rhetoric and reality requires collaborative efforts, a shift in societal attitudes, and long-term commitments to dismantle entrenched structures that perpetuate discrimination. Ultimately, stakeholders must transition from symbolic gestures to genuine, proactive measures to create a more equitable future for women\u2019s football.", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "abstract", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.abstract", "value": "Naisten jalkapallo kohtaa yh\u00e4 merkitt\u00e4vi\u00e4 haasteita, jotka juontavat juurensa historialli-sista ep\u00e4tasa-arvoista ja yhteiskunnallisista stereotypioista. N\u00e4m\u00e4 ovat johtaneet resurs-sien ep\u00e4tasaiseen jakautumiseen, rajoitettuun median\u00e4kyvyyteen ja j\u00e4rjestelm\u00e4lliseen lajin aliarvostukseen. Vaikka osallistujam\u00e4\u00e4r\u00e4t ja kiinnostus naisten jalkapalloa kohtaan ovat kasvaneet, syv\u00e4lle juurtuneet kulttuuriset ja rakenteelliset esteet hidastavat suku-puolten tasa-arvon edistymist\u00e4 lajissa.\nT\u00e4m\u00e4 tutkimus tarkastelee sukupuolittuneita ep\u00e4tasa-arvoja naisten jalkapallossa keskittyen erityisesti siihen, miten yhteiskunnalliset asenteet ja institutionaaliset k\u00e4yt\u00e4nn\u00f6t muovaavat lajin kehityst\u00e4. Tutkimus analysoi sidosryhmien\u2014kuten seurojen, liittojen, sponsoreiden ja median\u2014roolia sukupuolten tasa-arvon edist\u00e4misess\u00e4 tai est\u00e4misess\u00e4. Sukupuolidynamiikan ja sidosryhm\u00e4teorian viitekehykseen perustuen t\u00e4m\u00e4n tutkimuksen tavoitteena on tunnistaa kuilu sidosryhmien julkisten tasa-arvositoumusten ja todellisten toimien v\u00e4lill\u00e4.\nTutkimusaineisto koostuu seitsem\u00e4st\u00e4 puolistrukturoidusta teemahaastattelusta, jotka on tehty Kansallisen Liigan eri sidosryhmille, kuten pelaajille, toimihenkil\u00f6ille ja katsojille. Aineiston analysointiin k\u00e4ytettiin teoriaohjaavaa sis\u00e4ll\u00f6nanalyysi\u00e4, jonka avulla selvitettiin, miten sidosryhmien teot vastaavat heid\u00e4n julkilausuttuja arvojaan, sek\u00e4 kartoitettiin toimenpiteit\u00e4, joilla naisten jalkapalloa voidaan kehitt\u00e4\u00e4. Tulokset paljasta-vat merkitt\u00e4vi\u00e4 eroja erityisesti resurssien jakamisessa, median\u00e4kyvyydess\u00e4 ja infra-struktuurin tukemisessa. N\u00e4it\u00e4 ep\u00e4tasa-arvoja pahentavat kulttuuriset stereotypiat ja j\u00e4rjestelm\u00e4lliset ennakkoluulot, jotka edelleen marginalisoivat naisten urheilua huoli-matta sen kasvaneesta n\u00e4kyvyydest\u00e4 ja osallistujam\u00e4\u00e4rist\u00e4.\nTutkimus osoittaa, ett\u00e4 sidosryhmill\u00e4 on keskeinen rooli n\u00e4iden ep\u00e4tasa-arvojen poistamisessa konkreettisilla toimilla, kuten investointien lis\u00e4\u00e4misell\u00e4, median\u00e4kyvyyden parantamisella ja sponsorointien vahvistamisella. Retoriikan ja todellisuuden v\u00e4lisen kuilun kaventaminen edellytt\u00e4\u00e4 yhteisty\u00f6t\u00e4, yhteiskunnallisten asenteiden muutosta sek\u00e4 pitk\u00e4j\u00e4nteisi\u00e4 sitoumuksia purkaa vakiintuneita rakenteita, jotka yll\u00e4pit\u00e4v\u00e4t syrjint\u00e4\u00e4. Lopulta sidosryhmien on siirrytt\u00e4v\u00e4 symbolisista eleist\u00e4 todellisiin, ennakoiviin toimiin luodakseen tasa-arvoisemman tulevaisuuden naisten jalkapallolle.", "language": "fi", "element": "description", "qualifier": "abstract", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.provenance", "value": "Submitted by jyx lomake-julkaisija (jyx-julkaisija.group@korppi.jyu.fi) on 2025-04-22T13:39:29Z\nNo. of bitstreams: 0", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "provenance", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.provenance", "value": "Made available in DSpace on 2025-04-22T13:39:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "provenance", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.extent", "value": "83", "language": null, "element": "format", "qualifier": "extent", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.mimetype", "value": "application/pdf", "language": null, "element": "format", "qualifier": "mimetype", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.language.iso", "value": "eng", "language": null, "element": "language", "qualifier": "iso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights", "value": "CC BY 4.0", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.title", "value": "Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football", "language": null, "element": "title", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type", "value": "master thesis", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.identifier.urn", "value": "URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202504223375", "language": null, "element": "identifier", "qualifier": "urn", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.faculty", "value": "Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "faculty", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.faculty", "value": "Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 University School of Business and Economics", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "faculty", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.organization", "value": "Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n yliopisto", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "organization", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.organization", "value": "University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "organization", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.discipline", "value": "Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration", "language": "fi", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "discipline", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.discipline", "value": "Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration", "language": "en", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "discipline", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.coar", "value": "http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_bdcc", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "coar", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.copyright", "value": "\u00a9 The Author(s)", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "copyright", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.accesslevel", "value": "openAccess", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "accesslevel", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.publication", "value": "masterThesis", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "publication", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.content", "value": "fulltext", "language": null, "element": "format", "qualifier": "content", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.url", "value": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "url", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.accessibilityfeature", "value": "unknown accessibility", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "accessibilityfeature", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.accessibilityfeature", "value": "ei tietoa saavutettavuudesta", "language": "fi", "element": "description", "qualifier": "accessibilityfeature", "schema": "dc"}]
id jyx.123456789_101560
language eng
last_indexed 2025-05-21T20:06:50Z
main_date 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z
main_date_str 2025
online_boolean 1
online_urls_str_mv {"url":"https:\/\/jyx.jyu.fi\/bitstreams\/ffeaa39b-1b1d-444b-8240-b447047bd936\/download","text":"URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202504223375.pdf","source":"jyx","mediaType":"application\/pdf"}
publishDate 2025
record_format qdc
source_str_mv jyx
spellingShingle Salmijärvi, Outi Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration
title Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football
title_full Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football
title_fullStr Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football
title_full_unstemmed Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football
title_short Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football
title_sort stakeholder perspective on challenges in women s football
title_txtP Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges in Women's Football
topic Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration
topic_facet Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration
url https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/101560 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202504223375
work_keys_str_mv AT salmijärviouti stakeholderperspectiveonchallengesinwomensfootball