Quality of talent development systems: results from an international study

Abstract

In this study a purpose-built framework for specifying quality criteria – structure, process and outcome – in talent development systems was developed and evaluated in an explorative international study. A standardized survey was conducted with 1020 survey participants from four nations (Australia, China, Germany and the USA) and four sports disciplines (athletics, gymnastics, swimming and volleyball). The overall response rate was 56.4%. The principal component analysis confirmed three out of the four determinants of the quality dimension structure (goals, resources, and opportunities). They were based on five to eleven items with a minimum factor loading of .51. For each of the dimensions process and outcome one factor with a minimum factor loading between .59 and .65 could be statistically confirmed. These findings suggest that the chosen conceptual framework is applicable for specifying quality criteria of talent development systems in different nations and sports. It can be used in further studies comparing the quality of sports systems between different nations and might be useful to develop a quality management approach for elite sport.