Sport Management and Development
Hosein Zareian; Fatemeh Saeedi; Mohammad Hosein Ghorbani
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to identify and categorize the factors influencing the improvement of Iran's sports delegation performance in the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, and to provide practical strategies for enhancing this performance.Methodology: A qualitative research design was employed, ...
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Objective: This study aimed to identify and categorize the factors influencing the improvement of Iran's sports delegation performance in the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, and to provide practical strategies for enhancing this performance.Methodology: A qualitative research design was employed, based on the grounded theory approach using Glaser’s emerging method. The statistical population included officials from the Ministry of Sport and Youth, managers of the National Olympic Committee, presidents and secretaries of sports federations, faculty members in sports sciences, as well as coaches and athletes. Theoretical sampling was used, and theoretical saturation was achieved after conducting 25 interviews. Data were analyzed in three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.Results: A total of 296 indicators were identified and categorized across three levels (micro, meso, and macro) under 20 main themes and 66 sub-themes. At the micro level, factors such as physiological and physical conditions, psychological aspects, and technical, cognitive, and ethical skills were identified. At the meso level, the main themes included sports management and policymaking, financial resource management, strategic investment, events, support and logistics, facilities and equipment, human resources, media, and research. At the macro level, economic conditions, political relations, laws and regulations, cultural and social factors, modern technologies, and the geographical environment were emphasized.Conclusion: The results indicate that improving the performance of Iran’s sports delegation requires simultaneous attention to micro, meso, and macro level factors. Integration and coordination among these levels can provide the foundation for sustainable success in international sports competitions.
