Identifying factors affecting the development of startup behaviors in Iranian sports with a smart governance approach

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the factors affecting the development of startup behaviors in Iranian sports with a smart governance approach. The research method was mixed-methods. The statistical sample in the qualitative section included experts knowledgeable about the research subject. Purposive sampling was used to identify these individuals. This sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and ultimately, 14 individuals participated as the sample in the qualitative section. In the quantitative section, the statistical population included active members of the sports startup ecosystem, encompassing professors, students, accelerators, and experts in this field. To conduct Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), considering the number of items, 335 individuals were selected as the research sample. Finally, after distributing and collecting the research questionnaires, 305 questionnaires were analyzed. Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire. Coding and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the research data. The entire data analysis process was performed using SPSS, PLS, and MAXQDA software. Ultimately, 67 codes were identified as influential factors. The results showed that the factors affecting the development of startup behaviors in Iranian sports with a smart governance approach consist of 12 factors (social, cultural, managerial, technological, psychological, managerial [note: repeated in the original text], environmental, international, educational, competitive, networking, and financial technologies). Given that the t-value for all factors was greater than 1.961.961.96 and the significance level was lower than 0.050.050.05, it was determined that all factors have a significant presence in the research model.