Shahid Bahonar University of KermanJournal of New Studies in Sport Management2717-40697220260601Factors Affecting the Failure of Sports Startups in Iran115497710.22103/jnssm.2025.24288.1344ENZeinabKhaleghi AraniPh. D Candidate on Sport Management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran,MinaMostahfezianAssociate Professor in Sport Management, Sport medicine research center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.DavoodNasr IsfahaniAssistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Esfahan (khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Esfahan, IranJournal Article20241103This study aimed to conduct a structural interpretive modeling of factors affecting the failure of sports startups in Iran. The research methodology employed a mixed-method approach, with qualitative content analysis in the qualitative phase and structural interpretive modeling in the quantitative phase. The participants were selected based on their expertise, experience, representation, diversity, and collaboration capability. The purposive sampling method was used and snowball sampling strategy was employed to conducting interviews with 25 individuals based on theoretical saturation. The data collection tools consisted of semi-structured interviews for the qualitative phase and a 13x13 matrix for the quantitative phase. To ensure the validity and reliability of the results, credibility, transferability, confirmability, process audit, and intra-subject agreement strategies were utilized. The qualitative data analysis was performed through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding, while the quantitative data analysis involved structural interpretive modeling and MICMAC analysis. The findings revealed 13 influential factors on the failure of sports startups, categorized into four levels of relationships based on structural interpretive analysis. Accordingly, a hierarchical relationship model was developed, indicating that in the process of sports startup failure, the neglect of tangible indicators of customers, which stems from fundamental variables such as financial problems, ecosystem weakness, legal issues, and market uncertainties, becomes evident. This result demonstrates that the failure of sports startups follows a complex four-level process, and sports startups need to address all levels of weaknesses as they are interconnected like a chain.https://jnssm.uk.ac.ir/article_4977_861670471132d5f141bd12da43cae185.pdfShahid Bahonar University of KermanJournal of New Studies in Sport Management2717-40697220260601Providing a model of the consequence of Digital Leadership in the Iranian Sports Industry: a Meta-synthesis Approach1733497810.22103/jnssm.2024.24382.1347ENAhsanMohammadi OngutPhD candidate in sports management of Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran.MehrdadMoharramzadehProfessor of Sports Management university of Mohaghegh Ardabili , Ardabil, IranNasrinAzizian KohanAssociate Professor, Department of Sports Management, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranFarzadNobakhtMohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran.Journal Article20241116The purpose of this research is to provide the consequence model of digital leadership in the Iranian Sports Industry using a qualitative meta- synthesis approach. This research was conducted applying the seven-step approach of Sandelovski and Barroso. The research population includes all Persian researches and studies published in the field of digital leadership between 2011 and 2024 in this field. Keywords related to the research objective were searched and the articles and documents obtained were examined using a purposive sampling method and considering the consistency of the title, abstract, and year of the research conducted. Finally, 27 articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed using the three-stage coding method (open, central, selective) through Maxqda 2020 software. The reliability of the coding was confirmed using the Kappa coefficient of agreement in the SPSS software with a value of 0.85, and it was provided to 3 experts to check the validity of the research findings. Based on the results of data analysis, 98 open codes were identified, which were categorized into 23 subcategories and 3 main categories, included individual outcome, organizational outcome, and environmental outcome. The results showed that the presence of digital leadership in the Iranian Sports Industry will improve the process of adaptation and response to the developments of the digital in the Iranian Sports Industry and will have good internal and external consequences.https://jnssm.uk.ac.ir/article_4978_62355298565b82d18426afc737fc9d44.pdfShahid Bahonar University of KermanJournal of New Studies in Sport Management2717-40697220260601Gamers' Behavioral Intentions for Watching Live Streams of Electronic Games3551497910.22103/jnssm.2025.24793.1363ENRezgarPourmaroufDepartment of Sport Management, Allameh Tabataba'I University of Tehran, Tehran, IranAliAfrouzehShahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.DonyaVatankhahShahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20250207This study aimed to analyze the factors affecting gamers' behavioral intention to watch e-sports live streams, combining the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Uses and Gratifications Theory models. This study is quantitative, descriptive-correlational, and field-based, conducted with an applied objective. The research population included Iranian esports gamers who were active on live streaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming. The data collection tool was a standardized questionnaire developed by Tangsiri et al. (2018), based on the integrated UTAUT and UGT models. The sample size was estimated at 221 using Cochran’s formula and an initial variance of 0.144. In total, 223 fully completed questionnaires were included in the final analysis. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Smart PLS4 software. The findings showed that cognitive needs have a direct impact on increasing performance expectations and strengthening users' behavioral intention. On the other hand, emotional needs and social needs also had a significant effect on the intention to watch live streams. In addition, technology-based factors such as ease of use expectations and social influence play a key role in the acceptance of these platforms. The results emphasize that the development of live streaming platforms requires a combination of educational content (such as professional strategies), social interactions (live chats and interactive events), and user experience optimization (simple interfaces and easy access). This study shows that simultaneous attention to psychological (user needs) and technological (platform efficiency) dimensions can significantly increase gamer engagement.https://jnssm.uk.ac.ir/article_4979_718e515ac0a09f017891ef5fed1378e6.pdfShahid Bahonar University of KermanJournal of New Studies in Sport Management2717-40697220260601A Structural Model of Fans' Perceptions toward Sustainable Social, Environmental, and Economic Outcomes in Football Clubs5367498010.22103/jnssm.2025.24862.1367ENSajjadPashaieDepartment of Sport Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranHamedGolmohammadiDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Institute of Health Science, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, TurkeyMücahitFişneDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Sivas Cumhuriyet UniversityJournal Article20250219This study investigates the impact of fan perceptions on the social, environmental, and economic benefits of sustainability initiatives, using Tractor FC in Tabriz as a case study. Employing structural equation modeling (SEM), it examines how fans’ attitudes toward their club’s environmental and social responsibility efforts translate into meaningful behavioral, societal, and economic outcomes. Findings show that positive fan perceptions significantly strengthen community cohesion, promote pro-environmental behaviors, and stimulate economic interaction, including merchandise purchases and match attendance. This study emphasizes the coherence of the sustainability framework and shows how sports organizations can act as important drivers for sustainable development. By empirically testing these relationships within a diverse cultural context, this study extends the understanding of how culturally specific factors shape sustainable practices in sport, offering valuable insights for both scholars and practitioners.https://jnssm.uk.ac.ir/article_4980_f49c60df042239ef48b179024746f143.pdfShahid Bahonar University of KermanJournal of New Studies in Sport Management2717-40697220260601Challenges of Human Resource Management for Sport Coaches6984498110.22103/jnssm.2025.24875.1368ENShahlaGereyDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.RezaAndamDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, IranHasanBahrololoumDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, IranJournal Article20250223Sports coaches are recognized as one of the primary factors in the success of teams and athletes. Therefore, effective human resource management (HRM) of coaches can have a direct impact on enhancing the performance and achievements of sports teams. This study aims to identify the challenges of human resource management for sports coaches. The research is developmental in its objective, exploratory in its orientation, and qualitative in nature. The research population consisted of sports managers and coaches who were selected through theoretical and snowball sampling (19 participants). These participants underwent in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Based on grounded theory, data analysis and coding were conducted using MAXQDA 2020 software. The analysis resulted in the emergence of 32 main concepts, which were then condensed into seven main categories: challenges of planning and policy-making, credit and financial, selective, educational, coaching philosophy, motivational, and oversight. Finally, after integrating and linking the research categories, a model of human resource management challenges for sports coaches was presented. According to the final model, it is crucial for sports decision-makers and managers to pay attention to the identified challenges and to utilize the proposed solutions for preparation, prevention, mitigation, and reduction of the possible issues.https://jnssm.uk.ac.ir/article_4981_9d15206248e6ed2df4ad57de6591b2f0.pdfShahid Bahonar University of KermanJournal of New Studies in Sport Management2717-40697220260601Providing a Branding Model for National Athletes in Iran8599498210.22103/jnssm.2025.24990.1372ENFarzadNobakhtSports Management Department, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranMohammadZare AbandansariPhD in sports management, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranHamedKheirollahi MeidaniPh.D. student in Sports Management, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranAbbasNaghizadeh BaghiSports Management, Department, ,University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, ,Ardabil, IranJournal Article20250316Branding national athletes in Iran is a strategic and multifaceted domain, facing unique challenges and opportunities. While Iranian athletes have achieved remarkable success on the international stages, their branding system domestically often lacks a comprehensive and professional framework. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive branding framework for national athletes in Iran. This research adopts a qualitative approach based on the grounded theory methodology of Strauss and Corbin. The participants consisted of 23 experts related to the subject, selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and the analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2020 software. After coding the interview data, 212 initial codes were identified through open coding, and 16 secondary codes were derived through axial coding. These were then categorized into five main themes during the selective coding phase: causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening factors, strategies, and outcomes of national athlete branding for national athletes in Iran requires overcoming structural, cultural, and political challenges. This model should be based on strengthening legal institutions, developing digital infrastructure, and integrating sports with national values. Educating athletes in financial, media, and cultural domains, along with attracting private and international sector participation, will elevate their status as economic and cultural agents. As a result, athlete branding contributes to economic growth and improves Iran’s international image, while fostering role models for younger generations, thereby promoting societal progress and cohesion.https://jnssm.uk.ac.ir/article_4982_183e6d4024c222b42fabc17d51b369b2.pdf