Sport Management Journal

Desirable Governance: Building a Model to Deal with the Apartheid Management Style in Professional Sports

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Nadiya Zolfaghari 1
Rasool Nazari 1
Hossain Poursoltani Zarandi 2

1 Department of Sport Management, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Department of Sport Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jsm.2024.368518.3228
Abstract
Introduction: problems and challenges related to racial and social discrimination in the sports industry may be known as an example of "apartheid management style" in professional sports in Iran. Management approaches that can enhance discrimination and increase diversity. Therefore, the current research, with the aim of good governance in professional sports, tried to provide a model to deal with the apartheid management style in professional sports clubs of Iran.
Methods: This research was conducted based on qualitative research approach. To conduct this qualitative study, the foundation data theory strategy and Charms constructivist approach were used. Data were collected using semi-standard or semi-structured in-depth interviews. The participants in this research were 21 CEOs of professional clubs (current and former) and experts and key people in the three fields of sociology, political science, and sports management experts.
Results: After about 370 sentences implemented from the interviews, after removing duplicate and unrelated items, 247 primary concepts and categories were identified and marked by the researchers in the primary coding; Then, in focused coding, 58 codes were obtained and finally presented in 13 central codes.
Conclusion: The current model is based on the perspectives of good governance obtained and the three axes of equality discourse, human rights-based approach and the elimination of discrimination, and designs a comprehensive management style to deal with apartheid in professional sports in Iran. This comprehensive management style will lead to the formation of independent and new committees.

Keywords

Apartheid Constructivism
Dealing with discrimination Governance
Professional sport
Subjects
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Sport Management Journal
Volume 17, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 139-119

  • Receive Date 22 November 2023
  • Revise Date 08 September 2024
  • Accept Date 09 September 2024

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