Management and Entrepreneurship in Sport

Management and Entrepreneurship in Sport

Identifying and Analyzing Factors Affecting the Sustainable Development of Sports Entrepreneurship in Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Ph. D. student in Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Is.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Associate professor on sport management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3 Professor of Sports Management, Karbala Faculty of Educational Sciences, Karbala University, Karbala, Iraq
4 Associate Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Is.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
10.48301/jmes.2025.515119.1105
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate and analyze the causal relationships among factors influencing the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship in Iraq. The research employed a mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative) and was implemented using a sequential exploratory design. Participants included sports entrepreneurs, academic experts, and managers in the field of entrepreneurship in Iraq, selected through purposive sampling. Data saturation was reached with a final sample of 17 participants. Data collection instruments were semi-structured interviews and a 9x9 comparison matrix. To assess the validity and reliability of the research, the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln (1985) were used. Data analysis was performed using reflective thematic analysis and the Fuzzy DEMATEL technique. The findings showed that among the nine influencing factors, "networking and collaboration" had the highest degree of dependence (being influenced) among the factors affecting the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship, while "leadership and management," "innovation and technology," and "resources and infrastructure" had a causal and influencing role. Furthermore, the analysis of the total relation matrix revealed that all factors are interconnected to some extent, but "networking and collaboration" exhibits the greatest dependence on other factors. The results of this research indicate that the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship in Iraq requires a multi-dimensional approach and the strengthening of key influencing factors.
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