Explaining the Dimensions, Components and Indicators of Sports Diplomacy in Increasing the Future Future Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Providing a Model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Sports Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

2 Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran

Abstract

Diplomacy is a peaceful solution to achieve the goals and secure the national interests of the countries with the lowest possible cost, and if it is used in a principled way, it leads to the realization of the considered goals. With these interpretations, this research was conducted with the aim of identifying the dimensions of sports diplomacy in increasing the future soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The current research is applied in terms of its purpose, which identified and categorized the findings with a qualitative approach using the Meta-synthesis method and using the method of Sandelowski and Barroso (2007). The research community included indexed and related scientific articles (2015-2024) with the research topic, which were searched and reviewed using the combination of sports diplomacy and soft power keywords.With the initial search, 637 articles were obtained and by screening, 20 studies were selected as the final research community. According to the results of the research in the phase of central coding and selective coding, the number of 7 main dimensions (political factors, managerial factors, structural factors, factors social, economic factors, communication factors and cultural factors) and 40 components and 109 indicators were identified regarding the model of sports diplomacy effective in increasing the future soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, it is suggested that creating a discourse and using the concepts of sports diplomacy and soft power in the future of the Islamic Republic of Iran and familiarizing managers and executives in the field of sports in this field should be prioritized.
Diplomacy is a peaceful solution to achieve the goals and secure the national interests of the countries with the lowest possible cost, and if it is used in a principled manner, it leads to the realization of the considered goals. With these interpretations, this research was conducted with the aim of explaining the components of sports diplomacy and its effect on increasing the Future Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and providing a model. The current research is applied in terms of its purpose, which identified and categorized the findings with a qualitative approach and using the framework of sandelowski & Barroso (2007). The research community included indexed and related scientific articles (1394-1402) with the research topic, which were searched and reviewed using the combination of sports diplomacy and soft power keywords. With the initial search, 637 articles were obtained and by screening, 20 studies were selected as the final research group. According to the results of the research in the central coding and selective coding stage, there were 7 main codes (political factors, managerial factors, structural factors, social, economic factors, communication factors and cultural factors) and the number of 38 sub-codes (components) and the number of 108 indicators regarding the model of sports diplomacy effective in increasing the Future Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran were identified. Therefore, it is suggested that creating a discourse and using the concepts of sports diplomacy and Future Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and familiarizing managers and executives in the field of sports in this field should be prioritized.
108 indicators regarding the model of sports diplomacy effective in increasing the Future Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran were identified. Therefore, it is suggested that creating a discourse and using the concepts of sports diplomacy and Future Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and familiarizing managers and executives in the field of sports in this field should be prioritized.

Keywords


Volume 6, Issue 1
April 2025
Pages 129-155
  • Receive Date: 30 August 2024
  • Revise Date: 27 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 13 February 2025
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2025