Document Type : Original research
Authors
1
Ph. D. student in Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2
Associate Professor of Sports Management, Sports Medicine Research Center, Najafabad Branch, 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, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
This study aimed to model the psychological factors affecting the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship among elite Iraqi athletes. The research method was qualitative with a thematic analysis approach and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 elite Iraqi athletes, managers, and coaches who are active in the field of sports entrepreneurship. Purposive and snowball sampling was used and data analysis was performed using thematic analysis method in MAXQDA Pro software. The validity and reliability of the data were confirmed. The research findings showed that the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship is influenced by seven key psychological factors including personal motivation and commitment, self-confidence and personal control, resilience and coping with challenges, creativity and innovation, communication and social abilities, risk-taking and decision-making, and planning and goal-setting. These factors were identified and categorized into 15 organizing themes and 48 basic themes. The results showed that entrepreneurial athletes have characteristics such as intrinsic motivation, perseverance, and tolerance for failure, ability to adapt to changes, creative thinking, strong communication skills, risk-taking, and long-term planning ability. The findings of this study can be used by sports policymakers, coaches, and economic institutions active in the field of sports to formulate support and development strategies.
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