Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D. student, Sports Management Department, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran.
Abstract
The aim of the present research was to identify and validate the effective strategies for the development of e-sports clubs in Iran. The research method used a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach for data collection. The qualitative population consisted of experts, informed individuals, and authorities familiar with strategic sports management, as well as managers and officials of e-sports associations such as the development and progress committee and the e-sports association. The sampling method was non-probabilistic, with purposive selection and maximum diversity. The sample size for this research was determined to be 16 based on theoretical saturation. Additionally, in the quantitative section, the participants were managers and officials of e-sports clubs and e-sports athletes, totaling 360 individuals. The research tools included semi-structured interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire designed based on the extracted codes in the qualitative section. The qualitative data analysis was conducted using Maxqda software, while the quantitative analysis was performed using the AMOS structural equation modeling software. The results identified and validated 6 concepts and 44 codes related to the effective strategies for the development of e-sports clubs in Iran. Finally, the model results were confirmed in terms of validation. The results indicated that educational and research strategies, the development of official competitions, creating a platform for attracting financial support, differentiation, and interaction with the media formed the strategies for the development of e-sports clubs.
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