Innovation and Technology in Sport
SeyedReza Hosseini; Amin Khatibi; Tahereh Azmsha
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the attitudes of fans and referees toward the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Iranian Football Pro League.
Methodology: This study was applied in terms of its purpose and employed a descriptive-survey design for data collection. The statistical ...
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Objective: This study aimed to analyze the attitudes of fans and referees toward the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Iranian Football Pro League.
Methodology: This study was applied in terms of its purpose and employed a descriptive-survey design for data collection. The statistical population comprised two groups: the fan group included all supporters of Iranian Pro League teams during the 2023–2024 season, aged 11 to 58 years; the referee group comprised all referees certified by the Football Federation, aged 18 to 63 years. Using random sampling, 224 fans and 121 referees were selected to complete the questionnaire. The research questionnaire was developed based on the findings of previous studies and, following the confirmation of face and content validity by experts and reliability through Cronbach’s alpha test (α=0.738), was distributed electronically among the research population. After examining the data distribution using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis, using SPSS software.
Results: The overall mean attitude of fans toward the use of VAR was significantly more favorable than that of referees (P<0.05). This difference in attitude was more pronounced in two factors: match quality and attractiveness, and the future prospects of the VAR system.
Conclusion: In general, it can be stated that although both groups hold a positive attitude toward the use of VAR, fans possess a more favorable perspective on this technology. One possible reason for the referees’ lower level of enthusiasm may be the loss of control and decisiveness in decision-making, as they are sometimes compelled to reverse their initial on-field call. Factors contributing to the greater interest among fans include the inherent suspense in the review process and its unpredictability, which can instantly alter the outcome of a match.
Culture, Media and Technology in Sport
Ayoub Ebadi Mehr; Amin Khatibi; Esmaeil Veysia; Seyed Hossein Marashian; Tahereh Azmsha
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the attitudes of cultural authorities in Khuzestan province toward electronic sports (e-sports), given the rapid global growth of e-sports and the unique ethnic, cultural, and religious context of the province.
Methodology: A qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical ...
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Objective: This study aimed to analyze the attitudes of cultural authorities in Khuzestan province toward electronic sports (e-sports), given the rapid global growth of e-sports and the unique ethnic, cultural, and religious context of the province.
Methodology: A qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 16 cultural authorities from organizations including Education, Islamic Culture and Guidance, Seminaries, and Media. Theoretical saturation was reached at the 15th interview. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis. Purposeful theoretical sampling with maximum diversity was applied.
Results: Six main themes emerged: (1) conceptual definition and distinction of e-sports from traditional sports; (2) current and future position in public culture; (3) predominantly negative-conditional attitude; (4) perceived threats (physical, psychological, cultural, social, identity-ethnic); (5) conditional opportunities and localization strategies; (6) role of key institutions. The dominant attitude was negative (87.5%), but conditional acceptance was noted, contingent upon full localization and production of Iranian-Islamic content aligned with Khuzestan’s local values. Education was identified as the most central institution for cultural development and policymaking.
Conclusion: The findings underscored the need for targeted cultural policymaking, development of local content inspired by the Holy Defense, Arbaeen, and Khuzestan’s history, and media literacy education to facilitate conditional and localized acceptance of e-sports.
Social Issues in Sport Management
Ali Jamshidi; Amin Khatibi; Seyed Hossein Marashian; Esmaeil Veisia
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the factors affecting transgender people’s participation in physical activities and the consequences of such participation.
Methodology: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and using thematic analysis method. In order to collect data, in-depth ...
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Objective: This study aimed to explore the factors affecting transgender people’s participation in physical activities and the consequences of such participation.
Methodology: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and using thematic analysis method. In order to collect data, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 experts in sport management and social sciences. Thematic analysis method of Braun & Clarke (2006) and MAXQDA software were used to analyze the data, and 218 initial statements were obtained.
Results: In the section of factors influencing the sports activities of transgender people, eight main themes were identified, the most important of which were security concerns and privacy, cultural and social restrictions, and the role of family and their support. The consequences section had five main themes: improved mental and physical health, positive social development and interactions, enhanced gender identity and self-recognition, post-participation psychological challenges and pressures, and new social and employment opportunities. The study's findings showed that various individual and structural factors affect transgender individuals' participation in sports. This involvement can also have a positive impact on the quality of life, gender identity, and social development of this group.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that sports are a key tool for improving the quality of life for transgender individuals, but achieving this requires macro-level planning, policy reform, and the creation of safe and inclusive environments in society.
mehdi zendehboodi; Sayede Nahid Shetab Bushehri; Amin Khatibi
Abstract
Objective: This research aimed for investigating the facilitators for developing adventure tourism by Water Sports Approach in Khuzestan Province.Methodology: This research was the applied research and according to nature was a qualitative research that for collecting information used review the ...
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Objective: This research aimed for investigating the facilitators for developing adventure tourism by Water Sports Approach in Khuzestan Province.Methodology: This research was the applied research and according to nature was a qualitative research that for collecting information used review the research literature and interview. For this purpose, 16 semi-structured qualitative interviews were arranged with the sports management professors and faculty members, managers of relevant sports organizations and experts in the field of sports tourism industry. Then interview data have been analyzed by using the thematic analysis method in three stages include descriptive encoding, interpretive coding and integration through inclusive content. Reliability calculated by intra-thematic agreement method and validity of research obtained by specifying the interview protocol and the main axes of interview and being free researcher to ask questions.Results: Overall 69 descriptive themes, 17 interlaced themes were produced that finally in the form of 3 comprehensive environmental, managerial, and behavioral themes explain the facilitating Factors for the development of adventure water sports tourism in Khuzestan Province.Conclusion: The facilitating factors declared in this research were three types include underlying or environmental factors, organizational or managerial, and behavioral factors that are interacting dynamically.
Hamid tahmasebi shahmansouri; Amin Khatibi; Seyed Hossein marashian; Sedighe Heydari Nezhad
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting financial development in Iranian professional societies.Methodology: The present study was a cross-sectional research carried out in qualitative and quantitative methods. The Samples in the qualitative method were 11 experts ...
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Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting financial development in Iranian professional societies.Methodology: The present study was a cross-sectional research carried out in qualitative and quantitative methods. The Samples in the qualitative method were 11 experts were informed about the research. the samples In the quantitative method were 65 pepple of Some senior football departments and the Ministry of Sports and Youth that were selected as the sample of the study based on the selection of all of them. The tool of the present study was Semi-structured interview and researcher-made questionnaire of 31 questions. The validity of this questionnaire was reviewed and approved by some university professors. The reliability of this questionnaire was 0.81. To analyze the data, SPSS and PLS software were used.Results: The results of this study showed that 31 factors affecting financial development in Iran's professional football were extracted through interviews, which were classified into six technical, managerial, cultural, club, legal and motivational factors.Conclusion: The results of the study showed that all identified factors affect the financial process in Iran's professional football. In the meantime, the technical factors with the impact of 0.967 had the most impact and the motivational factors had the lowest impact on the financial transfer of professional football by 0.647.
Seyed Hosein Marashian; amin khatibi; Esmaeel Veisia
Abstract
Objective: This research investigatesed the effect of sport in religion, sectarian and religious diversity in Khuzestan province.Methodology: This was exploratory blend research. In the qualitative section, semi-structured interviews with expertise were conducted and with the aid of theoretical sampling, ...
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Objective: This research investigatesed the effect of sport in religion, sectarian and religious diversity in Khuzestan province.Methodology: This was exploratory blend research. In the qualitative section, semi-structured interviews with expertise were conducted and with the aid of theoretical sampling, the interviews proceeded to theoretical saturation. Based on the results of the first section, a questionnaire for sports role and divergence was prepared. The validity of the research instrument was reviewed and verified by eight experts. Reliability index was also calculated and validated using Cronbach's alpha test (α>0.7). In the quantitative section, the statistical population is consisting of all the people living in Khuzestan province within the range of 14-65 years old (N=4853000). According to Morgan's table, the sample size was 384 instants and Cluster random sampling method was hired. For data analysis, structural equations with partial least squares method was used.Results: The results showed that professional sports on religious and ethnic identity has a significant effect and also through the effect on religious identity can reduce religious divergence as well as sectarian and religious divergence.Conclusion: According to the results of this research, it’s recommended to adopt the necessary decisions for sports development (especially professional sport) in Khuzestan province, to help reducing religious divergence.
Jabar Seifpanahi Shabani; Amin Khatibi
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this research was to explain and analyze the effective factors on progress of the Iran volleyball at the championship level. Methodology: The research was done using the qualitative approach and content analysis method. The required information was obtained from literature review ...
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Objective: The aim of this research was to explain and analyze the effective factors on progress of the Iran volleyball at the championship level. Methodology: The research was done using the qualitative approach and content analysis method. The required information was obtained from literature review and the interviews with experts of volleyball. The study population included managers of volleyball federation and clubs, the coaches and players of volleyball clubs and the national volleyball team players, as well as expert professors in the field of volleyball. Sampling was purposive and the 18 deep and semi-structured interviews were conducted to achieve theoretical saturation. The data was analyzed in three levels of open, axial and selective coding. Results: In the analysis of data, six factors were detected as effective factors on the progress of the Iran volleyball; strategic planning and management, efficient coaches, talent identification process, investment into youth grassroots teams, financial and material resources, training camps and friendly fixtures. Also experts stressed on financial and moral support of coaches and national champions as an important gap. Conclusion: Regarding the explained factors, financial and moral support of coaches and national champions in particular, can contribute to further progress of the Iran volleyball in addition to stabilization of the existing status. Also, the explained factors can be used as a plan and road map by other sports federations in order to faster progress.
