Identifying Causal and Contextual Factors Influencing the Selection of Sports Managers

This study aims to identify the causal and contextual factors influencing the selection of sports managers in Iran using a qualitative, grounded theory approach. This applied qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with 20 sports experts and managers, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and the three-stage coding method (open, axial, and selective) via MAXQDA software. The results revealed two main categories of influencing factors: contextual and causal. Contextual factors included economic conditions, legal frameworks, organizational culture, technology, political and social dynamics, and environmental/geographic conditions. Causal factors comprised financial resources, income generation, public and organizational culture, technological infrastructure, managerial structures, individual competencies, and geographical context. These themes were categorized into primary and sub-themes through systematic coding. The selection of sports managers is a multidimensional process influenced not only by individual competencies but also by institutional, legal, social, and political structures. Developing a comprehensive and transparent model for selecting sports managers requires simultaneous attention to these dimensions and the use of technological tools and scientific evaluations.