Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license
Authors
1 Department of Motor Behavior & Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Ph.D in Sport Management, Deputy of Physical Education and Health, Ministry of Education, Tehran, Iran.
3 Ph.D in Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil; Iran
Abstract
Objective: Given the complexity of issues in physical education and student health and the multiplicity of stakeholders involved, shifting from traditional management models to participatory and network-based approaches is an unavoidable necessity. This study aimed to identify and explain strategies for developing collaborative governance in the Deputy of Physical Education and Health of Iran’s Ministry of Education.
Methodology: This qualitative study employed reflective thematic analysis. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 managers, experts, academics, and specialists in the field of physical education and health within the Ministry of Education. Participants were purposively selected based on expertise criteria. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework. To enhance trustworthiness, strategies such as triangulation, peer debriefing, and member checking were used.
Results: The analysis yielded 12 main themes and 138 sub-themes. The main themes included public relations and media development, knowledge management, strategic cooperation frameworks, participatory governance mechanisms, trust-building, technological infrastructure, legal frameworks, financial policymaking, structural flexibility, participatory culture, human resource empowerment, and performance monitoring systems.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that collaborative governance in the Deputy of Physical Education and Health requires a multidimensional and network-based approach that simultaneously addresses structural, institutional, technological, and cultural dimensions. This study can provide a basis for redesigning policies and strengthening inter-organizational cooperation in the field of student physical education and health.
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