ABSTRACT

Framed by the diffusion of innovations theory, this paper explored the adoption of natural language processing (NLP) in professional sport. NLP, the ability for computer algorithms to be trained for pattern recognition in text data, is of key interest given the surge in text data available for sport business use. Ninety-one teams (73.98%) from the “Big Four” North American professional sports leagues: the National Football League (NFL; 68.75%), the National Basketball Association (NBA; 76.67%), Major League Baseball (MLB; 73.33%), and the National Hockey League (NHL; 77.42%) participated. A multiple methods approach utilizing a discrete derivative of the Bass model, integrative literature review and qualitative description uncovered the mechanisms, timing and key influences surrounding NLP diffusion. The findings highlight NLP diffusion at near peak adoption for the professional sport industry, reveal the organizational influences catalyzing the adoption timing, and create the context for academics and practitioners to embrace NLP.

摘要

本文以创新理论的传播为框架，探讨了自然语言处理（NLP）在职业运动中的应用。NLP 是一种训练计算机算法在文本数据中进行模式识别的能力，鉴于可用于体育商业用途的文本数据激增，NLP 具有关键意义。来自北美“四大”职业体育联盟的 91 支球队 (73.98%)：美国国家橄榄球联盟 (NFL; 68.75%)、美国国家篮球协会 (NBA; 76.67%)、美国职业棒球大联盟 (MLB; 73.33% ) 和全国冰球联盟 (NHL; 77.42%) 参加。利用 Bass 模型的离散导数、综合文献回顾和定性描述的多种方法方法揭示了围绕 NLP 扩散的机制、时间和关键影响。