The Paradox of Science and Practice: A Sociological Analysis of the Presence of Scientific Elites in the Hockey Federation from the Perspective of Pierre Bourdieu’s Fields Theory
Subject Areas : Research Journal of Sociological of Sport
1 - Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Paradox, Science, Practice, Scientific Elites, Pierre Bourdieu, Field Theory,
Abstract :
Introduction: Human resources, as carriers of cultural, social, and symbolic capital, are critical to the configuration of any social field. This study aimed to model the paradox of theory versus practice in the context of the involvement of scientific elites within the Iranian Hockey Federation, utilizing Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory as the conceptual framework.. Methods: This research was qualitative and applied in nature, conducted through grounded theory methodology, following Strauss and Corbin’s systematic approach. The target population consisted of executive and administrative staff and members of the federation’s specialized committees, selected purposefully from among the nation's academic elites. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, culminating after 15 semi-structured interviews. Results: A total of 225 open codes were identified and categorized into core dimensions impacting elite scientific participation. During axial coding, these were further broken down into subcategories and linked at the level of properties and dimensions. Key factors included: human resource management dynamics, individual attributes, environmental influences, organizational structures, and communicative processes. Identified barriers were classified into four themes: managerial inefficiency, resource scarcity, traditional resistance, and habitus incongruence. Conclusion: From Bourdieu’s perspective, this paradox reflects a struggle among capitals, wherein the cultural capital of scientific elites is subordinated to prevailing social and economic capitals. The lack of effective interplay among these capitals has perpetuated the status quo and delayed sustainable development in sports. Scientific elites, endowed with dense cultural capital (specialized knowledge, innovation, analytical skills), hold latent power to transform field dynamics. Yet, Bourdieu emphasizes that the efficacy of cultural capital is contingent upon its recognition within the field's structure.
