Analyzing the challenges of developing virtual businesses in the field of sports services and providing suitable solutions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Sports Management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Sports Management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran

10.30510/psi.2022.359762.3904

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the challenges of developing virtual businesses in the field of sports services and to provide suitable solutions. The research method is qualitative. The statistical population included all sports managers (clubs, boards, sports pages, etc.) and trainers and athletes active in the field of sports services. A sufficient statistical sample was selected based on theoretical saturation in a targeted non-probabilistic manner and snowball technique (16 people and 13 documents). The validity of the tool was evaluated using qualitative methods. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Finally, 7 main challenges of budget, tax system, economic fluctuations, participation in virtual space, knowledge and virtual information, cultural barriers and branding were extracted and the necessary solutions were presented in this field. According to the research results, it can be said that the development of virtual sports business in providing sports services suffers from many challenges and these challenges have different aspects, but by improving the challenges and eliminating them, we can expect the development of virtual sports business in the field of sports services.

Keywords