Developing a Sociological Capacity Model for Iran’s Sports Diplomacy: A Sustainable Development Approach

Homan Firouzy ¹ ( PhD student, Department of International Relations, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. )
mahnaz goodarzi ² ( Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. )
Elham Moshkelgosha ³ ( Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sport Sciences Islamic Azad University Mobarakeh Branch, Isfahan, Iran )

Submited date : 2024-10-12 Accepted date : 2024-11-24

Keywords: Sports diplomacy, Sustainable development, Sociological capacity, Public participation,

Abstract :

Objective: The research aims to develop a sociological capacity model for Iran’s sports diplomacy in alignment with sustainable development goals. This study identifies and categorizes key capacities that can enhance Iran's position and contribute to its socio-economic and environmental growth. 

 

Methodology: The study utilized a structured Delphi method involving 60 experts in sports sociology, diplomacy, and sustainable development. Through three rounds of qualitative and quantitative evaluations, the main capacities were analyzed, verified, and categorized into social, economic, and environmental dimensions.   

 

Results: Eight main capacities were identified, including public participation, cultural exchange, social justice, national solidarity, environmental education, and sustainable tourism. The findings highlight that capacities like "national solidarity" and "sustainable tourism" have the highest potential for achieving sustainable development in Iran. 

 

Conclusion: Implementing a balanced approach between social and strategic capacities can significantly enhance Iran’s sports diplomacy impact on sustainable development. The study suggests integrating these capacities into national policies to maximize their influence on international relations, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.

 

References:

Abdi, K., Talebpour, M., Fullerton, J., Ranjkesh, M. J., & Jabbari Nooghabi, H. (2018). Converting sports diplomacy to diplomatic outcomes: Introducing a sports diplomacy model. International area studies review, 21(4), 365-381. [Persian]
Akbari, M., & Javadi, M. (2023). The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Sustainable Development and Its Relationship with National Identity in Iran. Iranian Journal of Social Research, 10(1), 55-72. [Persian]
Bagheri, Y., Shariati Feizabadi, M., & Nazarian, A. (2016). Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) of Sport Diplomacy Components. Sport Management Journal, 8(5), 797-821. [Persian]
Bakhshi Chenari, A. R., Goodarzi, M., Sajjadi, S. N., & Jalali Farahani, M. (2023). Identifying the tools of sports diplomacy to advance the political goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Journal of Sport Management and Motor Behavior, 19(37), 86-65. [Persian]
Baofeng, L., & Ruiqi, W. (2024). Research and Enlightenment of Brazil’s Diversified Sports Diplomacy Strategy.
Besson, F., & Duc, T. (2021). The Impact of Sports Diplomacy on International Relations and Cultural Convergence. International Journal of Sports Science and Management, 21(3), 245-260.
Brooks III, J. I. (2017). The definition of sociology and the sociology of definition: Durkheim's Rules of Sociological Method and high school philosophy in France. In Emile Durkheim (pp. 27-55). Routledge.
Dousti, A., Saboonchi, R., & Shariati Feizabadi, M. (2019). Sport behind public diplomacy; Functional components of sport diplomacy in Iran. Journal of World Sociopolitical Studies, 3(2), 379-407. [Persian]
Ettinger, A. (2023). Saudi Arabia, sports diplomacy and authoritarian capitalism in world politics. International journal of sport policy and politics, 15(3), 531-547.
Firouzy, H., Goodarzi, M., & Moshkelgoshaa, E. (2024). Strategic Positioning of Sports Diplomacy Capacities for Sustainable Development. Journal of New Studies in Sport Management, Ready to publish. [Persian]
Gong, X., & Chang, L. (2024). Student Leadership Qualities through Academic Sports Diplomacy and Qualities. Journal of Education and Educational Research, 8(3), 1-11.
Gonzalez, A., Ramirez, J., & Lopez, M. (2022). Sports Diplomacy as a Tool for Peace and Economic Cooperation. Journal of Diplomacy Studies, 18(2), 134-150.
Häder, M. (2009). Delphi-Befragungen: Ein Arbeitsbuch. Springer-Verlag.
Hlabane, B. (2010). Sociology of Sports Mega Events: Sports Diplomacy and FIFA World Cup;‘Global Peace Building Initiative’. The International Journal of Sport and Society, 1(4), 105.
Jünger, S., Payne, S. A., Brine, J., Radbruch, L., & Brearley, S. G. (2017). Guidance on Conducting and REporting DElphi Studies (CREDES) in palliative care: Recommendations based on a methodological systematic review. Palliative medicine, 31(8), 684-706.
Jünger, S., Payne, S. A., Brine, J., Radbruch, L., & Brearley, S. G. (2017). Guidance on Conducting and REporting DElphi Studies (CREDES) in palliative care: Recommendations based on a methodological systematic review. Palliative medicine, 31(8), 684-706.
Karimi, H., Kalate Seyfari, M., Razavi, M. H., & Ghasemi, H. (2024). Investigating the role of media power in sports diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Sport Management Journal, 16(3), 35-20. [Persian]
Kauschke, C., Lüke, C., Dohmen, A., Haid, A., Leitinger, C., Männel, C., ... & Niederberger, M. (2023). Delphi-Studie zur Definition und Terminologie von Sprachentwicklungsstörungen.
Kobierecki, M. M. (2020). Sports diplomacy: Sports in the diplomatic activities of states and non-state actors. Rowman & Littlefield.
Kuruloglu, F. (2023). Sports Diplomacy and Propaganda in Turkish Foreign Policy in the Early Republican Period. The International Journal of the History of Sport, 40(2-3), 111-124.
Landeta, J. (2006). Current validity of the Delphi method in social sciences. Technological forecasting and social change, 73(5), 467-482.
Layadi, A., Tabbani, A., & Mohamed, A. B. (2024). The contribution of sports diplomacy to achieving sustainable development: The Algerian model. Sustainability and Sports Science Journal, 2(3), 166-174.
Maher, N. (2024). The Impact of Athletic Brands on Arab Youth Perceptions of Israel: A Review of Sports Diplomacy in Social Science. Social Empowerment Journal, 6(1), 12-27.
Marpa, E. P. (2020). Navigating Environmental Education Practices to Promote Environmental Awareness and Education. Online Submission, 2(1), 45-57.
Mayring, P. (2014). Qualitative content analysis: Theoretical foundation, basic procedures and software solution. Klagenfurt: Beltz.
Mayring, P., & Fenzl, T. (2019). Qualitative inhaltsanalyse (pp. 633-648). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
Mohammadi, M., Razavi, M. H., & Seifari, M. K. (2024). Designing a model of Iranian international women’s sport diplomacy. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 1-20. [Persian]
Mohammadi, S., Khodabakhsh, S., & Rahimi, S. (2022). Social Impacts of Sports Diplomacy on National Unity and Tensions in Iranian Society. Asian Journal of Sports Studies, 15(4), 199-215. [Persian]
Mousavi Gargari, S. S., & Shafiee, S. (2023). Designing the Model of Factors Affecting on Promotion of Sports Diplomacy of Iran. Sport Management Studies, 14(76), 75-104. [Persian]
Mozaffari, A., & Akbar, A. (2024). Heritage diplomacy and soft power competition between Iran and Turkey: competing claims over Rumi and Nowruz. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 30(5), 597-614. [Persian]
Murray, S. (2018). Sports diplomacy: Origins, theory and practice. Routledge.
Niederberger, M., & Renn, O. (2018). Das Gruppendelphi-Verfahren. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. Springer.
Okoli, C., & Pawlowski, S. D. (2004). The Delphi method as a research tool: an example, design considerations and applications. Information & management, 42(1), 15-29.
Pack, S. M. (2024). Nation Branding and Sports Diplomacy: Country Image Games in Times of Change. Journal of Sport Management, 1(aop), 1-2.
Pelliccia, A., Day, S., & Olivotto, I. (2023). Leisure-time and competitive sport participation: a changing paradigm for HCM patients. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 30(6), 488-495.
Postlethwaite, V., Jenkin, C., & Sherry, E. (2023). Sport diplomacy: an integrative review. Sport management review, 26(3), 361-382.
Postlethwaite, V., Jenkin, C., Girginov, V., & Sherry, E. (2024). Sports Diplomacy and Sports Development. Routledge.
Simon Rofe, J. (2021). Sport diplomacy and sport for development SfD: A discourse of challenges and opportunity. Journal of Global Sport Management, 1-16.
Skulmoski, G. J., Hartman, F. T., & Krahn, J. (2007). The Delphi method for graduate research. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 6(1), 1-21.
Søyland, H. S. (2020). Qatar's sports strategy: a case of sports diplomacy or sportswashing? (Master's thesis).
Søyland, H. S., & Moriconi, M. (2022). Qatar's multi-actors sports strategy: Diplomacy, critics and legitimisation. International Area Studies Review, 25(4), 354-374.
Taheri, A., Razavi, S. M. H., Amirnejad, S., & Doosti Pashakolaee, M. (2023). Pathology of Iranian Sports International Diplomacy. Political Sociology of Iran, 5(11), 4992-5008. [Persian]
Weber, M. (2023). Basic sociological terms. In Social Theory Re-Wired (pp. 246-256). Routledge.
Zare, R., Shariati Feizabadi, M., & Nezhad Fasihi, F. (2024). Content Analysis of Sport Diplomacy Studies in Iran. cultural-Social studies of Olympic, 1(1), 23-43. [Persian]
Zarei, M. (2024). How Sports Diplomacy Can Contribute to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Iran. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 26(1), 89-104. [Persian]