Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license
Authors
1 Ph.D Student in Sport Management, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Non-Governmental - Non-Profit Ivan Kay University, Semnan, Iran
2 Professor of Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
3 Assistant professor of Sport Management, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Non-Governmental - Non-Profit Ivan Kay University, Semnan, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to design a networking model of inter-organizational relations for the development of sport tourism.
Methodology: The present study employed a mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative) with a sequential exploratory design. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis was conducted through in-depth interviews with 16 experts, resulting in the extraction of 6 main themes, 14 sub-themes, and 37 items. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population comprised managers and experts in tourism and sports tourism. The sample size was estimated at 118 participants based on PLS modeling rules; to ensure adequate returns, 130 questionnaires were distributed using a combined non-probability sampling method (purposive and convenience sampling). After excluding incomplete responses, 118 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The research instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire, whose content validity (CVI = 0.82) and reliability (CR > 0.70) were confirmed. Hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via Smart PLS version 3.
Results: The results of factor analysis indicated that organizational networking capacities, the organizational ecosystem, networking strategies, alignment of organizational networking levels, and inter-organizational networking processes have a significant explanatory role in the development of sport tourism. Path analysis also showed that the relationships between these main variables and the dependent variable are positive and significant, and the conceptual model demonstrates a satisfactory fit.
Conclusion: Overall, implementing appropriate strategies in the tourism sector through establishing networks among organizations can facilitate the development of sport tourism. Accordingly, the extensive capacities of the Ministry of Sport and Youth, the National Olympic Committee, and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts should be utilized more effectively to strengthen cooperation in the field of sport tourism.
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