Control of Cognitive Errors in Sports Managers: Identifying Influencing Factors

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to examine cognitive biases in sports management. Qualitative data were collected via expert opinions using the Delphi method, involving multiple feedback rounds to reach consensus on key factors. Quantitative data were analyzed with the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method to rank these factors. The study population included organizational behavior experts from universities and sports organizations in Shiraz, Iran. Fifteen experts were purposively selected based on criteria including at least five years of managerial or research experience in sports, authorship of three or more relevant articles in reputable journals, and a master’s or doctoral degree in management or related fields. Data were gathered through library research for theoretical foundations and paired questionnaires scored on a 1–9 scale by experts. Analysis utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) via Super Decisions software to weigh criteria, and TOPSIS, executed with BT Top Sis Solver software, to rank factors. TOPSIS results highlighted informational issues as the primary factor affecting cognitive biases in sports managers, with a proximity coefficient of 0.996 based on organizational criteria. This underscores the importance of robust informational capacities in mitigating biases. The study offers practical insights for Iranian sports managers, enhancing understanding of decision-making under pressure, and adds region-specific perspectives to global research on cognitive biases in sports management. It also sets the stage for future research in high-stakes decision-making contexts.