Analysis of network interaction in the context of physical education and sports activities of universities

¹ University Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
² Ural State University of Economics, 8 Marta Str., 62, 620144 Ekaterinburg, Russia

^* Corresponding author: apla@usue.ru

Abstract

The realization of the various interests of students in the sports activities of universities requires educational institutions to have a diverse material and technical base: sports facilities of various specifics, qualified personnel, and methodological developments. At the same time, the capabilities of individual higher education institutions are limited. The solution to this problem is possible through the integrated use of the resource base of several educational institutions and municipal facilities for the organization of sports and athletic activities. An effective exchange of resources is based on network models of relationships, the management of which is based on the provisions of the theories of strategic and general management and a project approach. The purpose of this study was the formation of a network model of interaction in the processes of sports activities of universities in the Sverdlovsk region. The study was conducted by the Physical Education and Sports Department in conjunction with the Management and Entrepreneurship Department of the Ural State University of Economics in the period 2019-2020. The information ground of the study is formed based on the analysis of plans for sporting events, tender documentation, as well as the database of contracts concluded by participants in the strategic network. The research methodology is based on a network theory and involves the construction of a directed graph, where the nodes are university subjects, and objects of network interaction are placed on arcs. The results of the study show that the network model is of the concentric type, the main unifying projects in the framework of physical culture and sports activities are such sports events as “Nations Cross”, “Universiade of the Sverdlovsk Region” and “Ski Track of Russia”. There are no links in the network interaction scheme due to the need to implement on a contractual basis the training courses included in the Basic professional educational programs of higher educational institutions, the network is based only on participation in external events initiated by state and municipal authorities, the corporate sector, sports organizations and universities themselves.