Journal of New Studies in Sport Management (JNSSM)

The study aimed to examine the gender-adjusted impact of personality factors on the motivations of e-sports participants. Descriptive research was conducted using structural equation modeling. The sample consisted of 763 individuals (599 men and 164 women) selected through simple random sampling, with statistical power set at 80% and a significance level of 0.01. The research variables, including participation structure and personality traits, were measured using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) short-form questionnaire (Gassling et al., 2003) and the Motivational Participation Questionnaire` of Cianfrone et al. (2011). The findings supported all research hypotheses regarding the personality traits and motivations of e-sports players, even after adjusting for gender. The results indicated that brunerism, consensus, duty, psychology, and acceptance of experience were significant motivators for e-sports players, and the gender-adjusted analysis confirmed the research hypotheses in both male and female groups. Therefore, considering the personalities of e-sports players in sports marketing can enhance their engagement, as their motivations to participate are influenced by their traits.

Digital marketing provides new opportunities for sports organizations to engage their audience. The current research aims to compile the Model of Digital Marketing in Iraqi Handball based on the qualitative paradigm model which is an approch of the grounded theory (GT) methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants who were sport management schoolars, experts in Iraqi handball, and online marketers. The data was analyzed using three coding phases. The findings revealed 79 concepts, 23 sub-categories, and 5 categories. The results showed a comprehensive framework for digital marketing in Iraqi handball that can significantly improve the current practices. The framework highlights strategies for content creation, social media engagement, data analytics, and audience targeting that resonate with fans. Adopting this digital marketing paradigm can strengthen relationships between Iraqi handball organizations and their audience by increasing awareness of their brand, enhancing interaction with audiences, increasing income opportunities, improving fan experience, and enhancing data insights.

The aim of the current research was to investigate the behavioral intention of coaches in virtual reality with considering the roles of Perceived Usefulness, Enjoyment, Performance Expectancy, Self-Efficacy, and Ease of Use. To collect the research data, a researcher-developed questionnaire with two sections was used. The first section included participants' demographic information, and the second section was used to collect data on research dimensions and variables. All questionnaires in this study utilized a 5-point Likert scale. The statistical population of this research included all sports coaches in Guilan province, Iran, both in individual and team disciplines, with a sample size of 350 individuals. SPSS software was employed for descriptive statistics, and Smart PLS was used for structural equation modeling. The results indicated that perceived usefulness, self-efficacy, enjoyment, ease of use, and performance expectancy have a positive and significant impact on the intention towards virtual reality behavior. Considering the current findings, the use of virtual reality in sports coaching can be recognized as a powerful tool for enhancing athletes' learning experiences, increasing enjoyment, and fostering a stronger and better inclination for active participation in sports activities.

Isomorphism is the process by which organizations become more similar to each other over time. The purpose of this study was to explore how previous research has examined this phenomenon in sports organizations. We used a semi-systematic approach to conduct the research. In conducting and reporting the review we followed the four stages that are outlined by Snyder (2019). A total of 126 articles underwent an abstract review process, from which 26 articles were extracted. Finally, 13 qualitative articles that related to the research objectives were reviewed. We conducted a content analysis of 13 articles on isomorphism in sport. The articles were published in a variety of academic journals between 1990 and 2023. 8 main themes are presented: Type of isomorphism, Mechanism of isomorphism, Consequences of Isomorphism in Sport Organizations, Function of Isomorphism, Strategies for response to pressure, institutional logics, Application of Isomorphism in Sports Organizations, Managing Isomorphism in Sport Organizations. Results showed isomorphism in sport organizations is driven by three primary mechanisms: coercive isomorphism, mimetic isomorphism, and normative isomorphism. In conclusion, isomorphism is a complex phenomenon that can have both positive and negative consequences for sport organizations. By understanding the mechanisms of isomorphism and carefully managing its effects, sport organizations can leverage its benefits while maintaining their strategic autonomy and fostering a culture of innovation and adaptation.

The purpose of this paper is to list and briefly discuss the top authors, organizations, universities, nations, publications, and journals in the topic of sports safety management. It also aims to provide the most linked patterns in terms of co-citation, co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, temporal proximity, and substantial terms and concepts in the field of safety management based on content analysis. 214 pertinent international publications from journals around the world that were published between 1993 and 2023 were found in the Scopus citation database and comprised the statistical population for this study, which followed a systematic review process. In this study, software tools like Publish or Perish, Excel, Vosviewer, Rstudio, R and Maxqda 2020 were used to identify, quantify, and evaluate safety management elements in sports.The results showed that the United States has the most influence in this sector, with the University of Florida (USA) being the most significant university and organization. "Recreational Sports" is the most prominent journal in the field of safety and risk management. Konnaughton, D.P., and Spengler, Jo are the most significant authors in this discipline. Finally, a comprehensive and eight-dimensional model of safety management was created by merging the essential terms that were taken from the examination of the top 20 articles in this sector. In conclusion, it can be said that safety and risk management in sports can reduce sports-related dangers and boost safety standards, resulting in a significant advancement in athlete safety and a reduction in risks related to sports.

Effective strategic leadership entails the implementation of diverse management strategies to develop a forward-looking perspective for the organization. Such a perspective enables the organization to adjust and remain competitive in a continuously changing economic and technological environment. This study aimed to design a strategic leadership model for sports federations in Iran. This study was applied in terms of purpose and adopted a mixed method with an exploratory approach. The statistical population of the qualitative study consisted of experts in the field of sports federations who were selected purposefully, and finally,  14 experts were selected as the research participants based on data saturation approach. The statistical population in the quantitative phase included 319 subjects (president, vice-president, secretary, and three members of the Board of Directors of sports federations) selected through stratified random sampling. The research data collection tool in the qualitative phase was a semi-structured interview whereas, in the quantitative section, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed from interviews' data. Data in the qualitative phase were analyzed using experts’ points of view, and in the quantitative phase, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, divergent and convergent validity, and structural equation tests were used. Moreover, the face, content, and construct validity of the instrument were confirmed. Finally, the model of strategic leadership of sport federations was presented with seven factors including strategic orientation, human resources development, learning strategy, team leadership, strategic control, effective interaction culture, and ethical strategy.