Developing a Sport Business Development Model for Women in Tehran Province

The purpose of this research was to develop a model for the development of a sport enterprise that would be beneficial to women in the Tehran province. The Grounded Theory (GT) method was employed to conduct this qualitative study. The research population consisted of all elites and specialists in the field of employment, entrepreneurship and sports businesses, among whom 18 individuals were selected using theoretical and snowball sampling methods. Semi-structured interviews were implemented as part of the data capture tool until theoretical saturation was achieved. In the final model of the research, which was formed based on coding and data analysis, the causal factors (need for self-actualization, clear vision, development of women’s productivity, income generation, appropriateness of sports businesses and achieving standards) shows the need to pay attention to the central phenomenon (self-employment and improvement of the business environment and strategies of self-employment and improvement of the business environment policy and planning, entrepreneurship education, legal support, encouragement of entrepreneurship, promotion of entrepreneurship and development of entrepreneurship ecosystem) in terms of intervening factors (legal-lawful obstacles, inappropriate business, insufficient financial support, insufficient support for entrepreneurship) and existing contexts (cultural limitations, social limitations, individual limitations, insufficient sports participation, talented manpower and capital advantage), which it will lead to consequences (development inevitably, economic development, women’s sports participation, improvement of women’s sports performance and women’s health). The findings of this study can serve as a model for the implementation of measures and programs to advance the careers of women in sports by policymakers, planners, experts, and sports managers.