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.
Innovation and Technology in Sport
Mehdi Salimi; Mosayeb Mirhosseini; Amir Hossein Labbaf
Abstract
Objective: This study analyzes the effects of blockchain technology on the future of Iran's sports industry.Methodology: This research is applied and uses a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis and the Glaser approach were used to extract concepts ...
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Objective: This study analyzes the effects of blockchain technology on the future of Iran's sports industry.Methodology: This research is applied and uses a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis and the Glaser approach were used to extract concepts and patterns, and the data were analyzed through open and axial coding. In the quantitative phase, the structural equation model was analyzed using SmartPLS version 4 software. The statistical population in the qualitative phase consisted of 23 experts and specialists who were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. In the quantitative phase, 272 stakeholders from sports clubs responded to the questionnaire, and the reliability and validity of the proposed models were evaluated using various methods.Results: In the qualitative phase, eight main categories were identified from the analysis of interviews, including facilitation of communications, cost reduction, innovation in revenue generation, data transparency and security, and enhancement of fan experience. In the quantitative phase, the structural model was confirmed using structural equation modeling, and the factor loading coefficients indicated that the model has a good fit. This research confirmed the effects of blockchain in improving contract management, developing trust, and exploiting economic benefits in Iran's sports industry.Conclusion: Blockchain can create fundamental and sustainable transformations in Iran's sports industry. This research shows that the convergence of blockchain and sports, especially in the financial, managerial, and fan interaction areas, will lead to the formation of a new era full of development and innovation opportunities in this industry.
