Configurational pathways to effective rural older adult sports participation: a necessity and sufficiency analysis using NCA and QCA

The absence of necessary conditions challenges policy frameworks assuming uniform implementation requirements and supports flexible, context-responsive governance models. Multiple sufficient pathways indicate that effective rural development strategies should accommodate diverse approaches rather than relying on prescriptive solutions. Specialized Personnel represent a fundamental requirement across all configurations, while frequent "don't care" conditions reveal significant substitutability among governance arrangements. These findings contribute to the application of configurational methodology in public administration, providing practical guidance for adaptive rural development policies tailored to local conditions.