Internationalization for Whom and for What? Ethical Questions for Sport Management Programs in Global North Universities

This paper maps the ethical complexities underlying the internationalization of sport management programs in Global North universities. Drawing upon postcolonial theory, critical internationalization studies, and studies of global ethics, I review the current articulations that concern the internationalization of sport management programs and highlight the limitations therein – that is, they are primarily articulated from a liberal global imaginary. In introducing the critical and decolonial ethics frameworks, I present some alternative possibilities to envision internationalization practices and policies in sport management programs. Sport management scholars and educators located in Global North institutions are encouraged to confront the ethical challenges of internationalization and generate more globally accountable ways of “doing” internationalization.