How complexity affects and shapes the dynamics in the football industry

This paper examines the complex dynamics at play within the football industry, highlighting how intricate and auto-catalytic processes impact and shape its operational landscape. By examining the interplay and mutual interactions in the objective functions (1) and the transition stages in the value chain (2), the study tries to shed light on the very diverse range of interactions characterising football industry. By examining the interplay and mutual interactions within the objective functions system (1), a source of complexity was found due to the impossibility of isolating the effect of a single variable on the entire structure. Then, the study analysed the transition stages in the value chain (2), from lower levels to elite competitions and vice versa, revealing the complexity that impacts the organisation, strategies, and decision-making of football clubs. The paper aims to evaluate the contributions of different components, such as economic and financial requirements and team achievements, to the self-sustaining nature of the football ecosystem. By examining these two themes, this article aims to provide a critical analysis of the intricacies of the football industry. This analysis should aid in identifying potential avenues for future research and determining the managerial frameworks and mechanisms required to navigate this complex industry.