University of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201Applying the Combined Methods of Optimizing the Performance Evaluation of Sports Organizations: A Model Applicable to Football Clubs and Sport Boards1203055010.22108/asml.2026.149338.1159ENHadiNobariLFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040, Madrid, SpainRaoufHammamiResearch Laboratory (LR23JS01) Sport Performance, Health & Society, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, University of Manouba, Tunis, TunisiaRamazanTaşçıoğluLFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040, Madrid, Spain / Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Ardahan University, Ardahan, TürkiyeÖzgürEkenDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Teaching, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Inonu University, Malatya, 44280, TurkeyRafaelOliveiraResearch Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport, Rio Maior, Portugal / Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport, Rio Maior, PortugalElenaMainer-Pardos7. Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad San Jorge, Zaragoza, SpainJournal Article20260615This study aims to provide a combined model to optimize the performance evaluation of sports organizations. Experimental-mathematical method is used in this study. The needed information has been acquired using field, library, observation, questionnaire, and interview methods. The case study and statistical population are selected from the sports board. A mixed method of data collection tools has been used to obtain the inputs and outputs of sports boards considering factors, such as the number of human resources, available information, and other limitations. The two key methods used in this study are Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) and Fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis (FDEA), which were applied to evaluate the performance of sports organizations. In total, the six factors extracted were scored using the balanced scorecard method by distributing 20 questionnaires among experts (6 experts from the Monitoring and Assessment Unit of the Sports and Youth General Office, 4 experienced sports managers, and 10 experts and secretaries of sports boards). The findings indicate that the fuzzy analytic network approach has been able to play up more the results while strengthening the previous methods. The results showed that taekwondo, chess, and track and field teams received similar ranks, which highlights the effectiveness of the combined method in providing more accurate and balanced performance evaluations. The findings emphasize that applying the combined methods allows for more robust assessments, as it mitigates the effect of incomplete judgments that may result from relying solely on quantitative or qualitative methods.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30550_0d8b857307e9dd20c0299df3d55db94e.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201A Sustainable Supply Chain Model for Active Sports Tourism21323015510.22108/asml.2025.147109.1113ENSoheilaKhosraviDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranMehdiSalimiDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, IranRasoolNazariDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20251019This study develops a sustainable supply chain model for active sports tourism using a mixed-method approach. The qualitative phase employed Glaser’s grounded theory, analyzing in-depth interviews with 12 experts in sport management, tourism, and sport tourism, including university professors and senior managers. Trustworthiness was ensured through expert review, and coding reliability was confirmed using a test–retest approach, yielding a Kappa coefficient of 0.79. The quantitative phase involved 380 participants, including students of physical education and tourism, domain experts, managers, and practitioners in the sports and tourism sectors. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and PLS-SEM, while reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha calculated in SPSS, resulting in an overall coefficient of 0.82, indicating satisfactory internal consistency.<br />The findings revealed that key components include equitable distribution of services, effective communication and awareness among stakeholders, creativity and innovation in performance, and sustainability and agility in operations. Moreover, the positive impact of these components on the social, economic, and environmental performance of sports tourism was confirmed. A sustainable sports tourism supply chain can serve as an effective instrument for promoting the sustainable development of this industry in Iran. Considering the country's existing potential, attention to the identified components can enhance sports tourism performance and increase foreign exchange revenues. It is recommended that managers and policymakers strengthen this supply chain by developing appropriate infrastructure and fostering a culture of social participationhttps://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30155_d6a4d298c86933d8b40f43f3d71ba638.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201Identifying the Factors Influencing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Optimizing the Attraction of Sports Tourists with a Health-Oriented Approach33543061510.22108/asml.2026.148918.1148ENSaeedRoshanmehrDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, IranFaribaAskarianDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranAminDehghan GhahfarokhiDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranAhmadMahmoudiDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranJournal Article20260516This study aimed to identify the factors influencing AI's role in attracting health-oriented sports tourists in Iran. Employing a qualitative exploratory design grounded in the interpretive-constructivist paradigm, data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively selected participants from three key stakeholder groups: health-oriented sports tourists, industry practitioners and experts and academic researchers and specialists in the field of artificial intelligence in tourism. The interview data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach, adhering to the six-phase framework. The trustworthiness of the findings was ensured through Lincoln and Guba's four criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The analysis yielded a comprehensive hierarchical thematic structure comprising 42 basic themes, 12 subordinate themes, and 4 overarching main themes: (1) Technological Core: AI-Enabled Hyper-Personalization of the Health-Oriented Sports Tourism Experience; (2) Ethical-Cultural Governance: Culturally Intelligent, Trustworthy, and Responsible AI; (3) Systemic Impediments: A Multi-Layered Ecosystem of Barriers to AI Adoption; and (4) Strategic Roadmap for Implementation: Integrated Governance, Investment, and Collaborative Action. The findings reveal that while AI holds substantial transformative potential for delivering deeply personalized, data-driven health and fitness experiences, its successful implementation in the Iranian context is critically contingent upon embedding cultural intelligence, transparency, and user trust into the very design of AI systems, and systematically addressing a deeply interconnected ecosystem of legal, financial, technical, and socio-cultural barriers. The study concludes with a pragmatic, pilot-driven strategic roadmap and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry practitioners, and academic institutionshttps://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30615_536aed07ede3f98ea31289d9664960ff.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201Crisis Management in Sports During Global Emergencies55643058210.22108/asml.2026.147276.1119ENSabaDibaei AslDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranMahdiBashiriDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranRasoulFarajiDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranSheydaAminiPiranshahr Education Department, General Directorate of Education of West Azerbaijan Province, Piranshahr, IranJournal Article20251031This study aimed to develop a grounded theory model explaining crisis management processes within Iranian sports organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Strauss & Corbin's (1990) grounded theory approach, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 senior sports managers and sport management academics directly involved in decision-making during the pandemic. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using manual coding supported by Microsoft Word. The analysis yielded a six-dimensional paradigmatic model. The model identifies six interconnected dimensions rather than a single cause. Managerial weaknesses and health-psychological vulnerabilities constituted the causal conditions. These operated within economic and infrastructural constraints and were shaped by legal and cultural-political intervening factors. Crisis response strategies were categorized as cultural, structural, and health-psychological. These strategies contributed to improved organizational resilience, health protection, and adaptive capacity. This study is limited by its focus on managerial perspectives and the specific Iranian context, which may restrict transferability. Nevertheless, the findings provide a context-sensitive framework to support future crisis preparedness and policy development in sport organizations.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30582_7a7d8b5e01d0872644ea2645065073ee.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201Coaching Knowledge Dimensions in Track and Field: A Model for Coach Education65823041010.22108/asml.2026.147837.1127ENElaheBandaliDepartment of Management and Accounting, Farabi Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranGhodratolahBagheri RaghebDepartment of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranAliSaberiDepartment of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran0000-0001-8839-6772BitaArabnarmiDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, IranJournal Article20251219Sports coaching requires diverse knowledge forms. While international coach education frameworks exist, they inadequately address context-specific needs, particularly in specialized sports like track and field. In Iran, persistent coaching gaps contribute to a high athlete dropout rate, training injuries, and declining international performance. This study aimed to identify the key knowledge dimensions required by Iranian track and field coaches. Using qualitative thematic analysis, 20 participants—six university professors in sport sciences with a focus on coaching and physical education, 12 experienced coaches, and two veteran athletes—were engaged in semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected through purposive snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using Attride-Stirling's thematic network approach. Four knowledge dimensions emerged: Foundational Knowledge (theoretical and practical sport sciences), Personal Knowledge (values, coaching philosophy, intrapersonal knowledge), Professional Knowledge (supervisory-managerial and technical-tactical skills), and Contextual Knowledge (experiential and behavioral dimensions). These findings extend existing international frameworks by recognizing foundational scientific knowledge and contextual knowledge as distinct and essential dimensions that have been previously underrepresented. This four-dimension model provides a comprehensive framework grounded in the Iranian coaching context. Rather than enforcing uniform certification, coaches and educators may emphasize different dimensions based on their career stage and coaching context. The model guides coaches to assess and respond to dynamic environments while fulfilling multiple roles. It also offers a practical pathway for developing qualified coaches, preventing injuries, reducing dropout, and revitalizing athletics on the international stage.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30410_117d0d2cf97020e4a33ec0e187ed27a9.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201Presenting a Model of the role of Corporate Governance and Ownership Structure on Innovation in Iranian Professional Sports Clubs831043054010.22108/asml.2026.148570.1142ENLeilaEsmailiDepartment of Sport Management, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranKhodaparastKhodaparastDepartment of Sport Management, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranDavoodNasr EsfahaniDepartment of Sport Management, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20260303The present study aimed to propose a model of corporate governance and ownership structure affecting innovation in Iranian professional sports clubs. This research employed a qualitative approach using the grounded theory method (Glaserian approach). Data were collected through 21 in-depth interviews with experts, including chief executive officers, board members, university professors, and consultants, and were analyzed through open, selective, and theoretical coding. From a total of 150 initial codes, 26 main categories were extracted and organized within Glaser's 6C's family, including causes, conditions, contexts, Contingencies (interventions), Covariances (strategies), and consequences. The core category was identified as "structure-dependent innovation," indicating that innovation is strongly influenced by governance and ownership structures. The main causes included board dependence, individual-oriented innovation, and characteristics of ownership structure. Major barriers were identified as administrative bureaucracy, weak planning, and organizational fear. Positive interventions included the impact of private ownership, the reformative role of independent directors, and the role of specialized consultants. Strategies had the lowest frequency, reflecting the lack of systematic strategies in clubs. The ultimate consequence was identified as "the perpetuation of the structure-dependent innovation cycle," indicating the episodic, individual-oriented, and unstable nature of innovation in Iranian clubs. Accordingly, the findings suggest that strengthening governance structures, enhancing board independence, reducing administrative bureaucracy, establishing innovation-oriented reward mechanisms, fostering an organizational culture supportive of risk-taking, and developing long-term strategies may create more favorable conditions for sustainable innovation in Iranian professional sports clubs.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30540_0e498152d1c5baf84e0c3883169fbc1e.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201An Analytical-Critical Review of Validation Strategies in Qualitative Research in Sport Management: Evidence from Published1051183047810.22108/asml.2026.148669.1143ENMohsenVahdaniDepartment of Motor Behavior and Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, IranAmir HosseinLabbafDepartment of Motor Behavior and Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20260414Qualitative research in sport management has gained increasing importance due to its ability to provide in-depth understanding of complex phenomena. However, the main challenge lies in how to assess the validity and trustworthiness of the findings of such research. The purpose of this article is to review, analyze, and critique validation strategies in common qualitative methods used in sport management, and to provide practical examples from Iranian research. This study is an analytical-critical review. A search was conducted in reputable scientific databases using relevant keywords. A set of key sources, including international articles, reference books, and Iranian studies, was examined using directed content analysis. Concepts related to validation in each method were extracted and categorized. Validation of qualitative research encompasses two general approaches: general frameworks, such as Lincoln and Guba’s four criteria (credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability), and method-specific strategies. In thematic analysis, techniques such as participant feedback and peer debriefing are applicable. In grounded theory, theoretical sampling and constant comparison form the cornerstones of validity. Content analysis faces the challenge of the inter-coder agreement coefficient, about which there are both supportive perspectives (enhancing objectivity) and opposing views (incompatibility with the interpretive nature). Phenomenology gains validity through concepts such as reduction and eidetic analysis. Narrative inquiry emphasizes coherence and impact on the audience, while ethnography highlights thick description and prolonged engagement. The validation of qualitative research is a multi-layered, dynamic process dependent on the research method. Using general frameworks alongside method-specific strategies, coupled with a critical view of common tools (e.g., the agreement coefficient) and the adoption of innovative approaches (e.g., critical friends), leads to the production of more credible and more localized knowledge in sport management.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30478_03f1c288ffdaa318f86aefb9893c0249.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Resilience and Survival of Family Sports Businesses: A Case Study in Tehran1191323055410.22108/asml.2026.148147.1135ENZahraMirmohammadiDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Arak University, Arak, IranZeinabMondalizadehDepartment of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Arak University, Arak, IranJournal Article20260125The purpose of this study was to examine the role of transformational leadership in enhancing resilience and ensuring the continuity of family-owned sports businesses. The study employed a descriptive survey design with a correlational approach. The statistical population consisted of key managers and influential employees working in family-owned sports businesses in Iran, from which 90 participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Organizational Resilience Questionnaire developed by Lengnick-Hall et al. (2011), the Transformational Leadership Scale proposed by Rafferty and Griffin (2004), and the Business Survival Questionnaire developed by Kozak (2017). The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS software. The findings revealed that transformational leadership has a direct and significant effect on resilience (path coefficient = 0.811) as well as on the survival of family-owned sports businesses (path coefficient = 0.384). In addition, the results indicated that resilience directly influences business survival (path coefficient = 0.477) and mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and business survival. Overall, the findings show that transformational leadership improves business survival by strengthening organizational resilience. Inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation play an important role in helping family-owned sports businesses adapt to change and manage crises. Furthermore, resilience was found to partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and business survival, as indicated by the Variance Accounted For (VAF = 0.525), demonstrating that both direct and indirect effects were significant. Therefore, managers should focus on motivating employees through a clear vision and encouraging continuous learning to strengthen resilience and support long-term sustainability in difficult economic conditionshttps://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30554_5e4b6065a72ca0743fa48e8f74a7b980.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201The Mediating Role of Strategic Flexibility in the Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Activities and the Performance of Sports Startups in Iraq1331423053910.22108/asml.2026.149043.1155ENSajjadPashaieDepartment of Sports Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranFatemehAbdaviDepartment of Sports Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranHayderHussinDepartment of Sports Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranJournal Article20260529The ability of startups to survive and thrive in competitive environments depends largely on their entrepreneurial drive and strategic adaptability, yet empirical evidence from the sports industry remains limited. This research sought to investigate the mediating function of strategic flexibility in the relationship between entrepreneurial activities and the performance of sports startups in Iraq. The research was applied in purpose and descriptive-survey in nature. The population included managers and employees of sports startups, and 379 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires: entrepreneurial activities (Daradkeh & Mansoor, 2023), strategic flexibility (Sen et al., 2023), and startup performance (Daradkeh & Mansoor, 2023). The validity and reliability of the instruments were confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE). Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS software. The results indicated that entrepreneurial activities had a significant positive effect on startup performance (β=0.283, t=5.568, p<0.001) and strategic flexibility (β=0.609, t=15.481, p<0.001), while strategic flexibility directly enhanced startup performance (β=0.483, t=9.319, p<0.001). Furthermore, the mediating role of strategic flexibility in the pathway from entrepreneurial activities to startup performance was confirmed (β=0.294, t=7.503, p<0.001). The findings suggest that sports startups can enhance innovation and responsiveness to market changes by fostering an entrepreneurial culture and establishing flexible organizational structures.https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30539_ee3c718a93a35093d9625a9b990db8c1.pdfUniversity of IsfahanArchives in Sport Management and Leadership2981-05234220261201Exploring Success and Failure Patterns of Sports Start-ups in Iraq: Insights from Thematic Analysis1431623055310.22108/asml.2026.148910.1150ENShamseddinRezaeiDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, IranValiNaseri PlangerdDepartment of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, IranMostafaSoltaniDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, IranAli Karim RahimFaraj Al-DarrajiDepartment of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, IranJournal Article20260517The purpose of the present study was to identify and explain the pattern of factors influencing the success and failure of sports start-ups in Iraq’s sports industry. This study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis based on the six-phase framework proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including managers, founders of sports start-ups, and experts in entrepreneurship and sports, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The data analysis process included familiarization with the data, initial coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, naming themes, and producing the final report, through which the conceptual model of the study was developed. To ensure credibility, peer review, triangulation (confirming the consistency of findings with reality), and documentation and confirmation by peers were applied. The findings led to the identification of eight main themes: basic infrastructure, human resources, market and customers, advertising and branding, management and leadership, external environment, innovation and technology and entrepreneurial culture. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the success of sports start-ups in Iraq requires a systemic approach, targeted investment in infrastructure, human resource empowerment, development of market and customer knowledge and effective policy and legal support. In the absence of these elements, even creative ideas and potential capacities will lose the opportunity to become sustainable and profitable activities. Accordingly, the proposed research model can be used as a local analytical framework for designing policies, developing support programs, and assessing the status of the sports entrepreneurship ecosystem in Iraqhttps://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30553_45556f5f3df35287dccfeea1d732d916.pdf