Structural relationships between awareness of sports rights, social responsibility, team cohesion, and professional ethics in athletes
Subject Areas :
1 - Master of Criminal Law and Criminology, Gorgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
Keywords: Social responsibility, professional ethics, team cohesion, awareness of sports rights,
Abstract :
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Professional sports demand more than technical skill and physical fitness; psychological, ethical, and social dimensions are crucial for athlete development and the integrity of sport. This study investigates the structural interrelationships among four key constructs: awareness of sports rights, social responsibility, team cohesion, and professional ethics in athletes. Understanding these connections is vital for enhancing athlete well-being, team performance, and fostering an ethical sporting culture.
Awareness of sports rights empowers athletes to understand their protections and advocate for social justice, a role historically exemplified by influential sports figures. Concurrently, social responsibility compels athletes and sports organizations to make positive societal contributions beyond their competitive endeavors. Team cohesion, characterized by shared goals and affective bonds, is fundamental to effective teamwork, communication, and collective success, as suggested by social information processing theory. Professional ethics, encompassing principles of integrity, fairness, and respect, guides athlete conduct and is essential for maintaining the sport's credibility against challenges like doping and exploitation. While the individual importance of these constructs is acknowledged, comprehensive research into their simultaneous structural interplay among athletes is limited. This study addresses this gap, aiming to elucidate these complex relationships and their implications for professional sports.
Methodology
This research utilized a descriptive, correlational design with structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the proposed structural relationships. It was an applied field study employing a survey methodology. The population consisted of approximately 300 professional male basketball players in the Iranian Basketball Premier League (2023-2024 season). A convenience sample of 169 players was targeted, with 125 completed questionnaires ultimately analyzed.
Data were collected using four standardized Likert-scale questionnaires: the Professional Ethics Questionnaire (Cadotte, 2002; α=0.89 in this study), the Awareness of Sports Rights Questionnaire (Torkfar et al., 1401/2022; α=0.89), the Social Responsibility Questionnaire (Maignan & Ferrell, 2002; α=0.81), and the Team Cohesion Questionnaire (Carless & DePaolo, 2000; α=0.84). The validity of these instruments was confirmed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and SEM, conducted using SPSS and PLS software.
Results
The SEM analysis indicated a good fit for the proposed model examining the interrelationships of the four constructs. Key fit and reliability indicators, including Cronbach’s alphas (all ≥ 0.81), composite reliability (all ≥ 0.86), Average Variance Extracted (AVE; all ≥ 0.51), and the Goodness of Fit (GOF) index (all components ≥ 0.621), were favorable, supporting the model's validity and reliability. R-squared values indicated substantial variance explained for social responsibility (0.69), team cohesion (0.86), and professional ethics (0.88).
The structural model revealed significant positive relationships (all t-values > 1.96, p <.001 typically implied) among the variables:
- Awareness of sports rights demonstrated a strong positive impact on social responsibility (β = 0.833, t = 24.107).
- Awareness of sports rights positively influenced professional ethics (β = 0.332, t = 3.636).
- Awareness of sports rights also positively affected team cohesion (β = 0.201, t = 1.977).
- Social responsibility showed a significant positive effect on professional ethics (β = 0.647, t = 7.428).
- Social responsibility positively impacted team cohesion (β = 0.270, t = 2.082).
- Professional ethics had a significant positive influence on team cohesion (β = 0.494, t = 2.964).
These results confirm that all hypothesized direct paths within the model were statistically significant, highlighting a robust and interconnected network among awareness of sports rights, social responsibility, professional ethics, and team cohesion within the sample of professional athletes.
Discussion and Conclusion
This study's findings illuminate the significant and synergistic relationships between awareness of sports rights, social responsibility, team cohesion, and professional ethics among professional athletes. The research confirms that these constructs are not independent but rather form an interconnected system where the enhancement of one positively influences the others.
A critical finding is the substantial positive influence of awareness of sports rights on social responsibility, professional ethics, and team cohesion. Athletes knowledgeable about their rights and associated duties are better positioned to act responsibly towards society, adhere to ethical standards, and contribute to a cohesive team environment. This awareness serves as a foundation for proactive and positive engagement both on and off the field.
The study also validates the positive impact of social responsibility on professional ethics and team cohesion. Athletes who embrace social responsibility are more likely to demonstrate ethical conduct and foster stronger, more collaborative team relationships. This indicates that a sense of duty towards the community and team can translate into higher ethical standards and improved team dynamics.
Furthermore, the direct positive link from professional ethics to team cohesion emphasizes that an ethical framework is integral to building strong team bonds. Adherence to principles of fairness, respect, and integrity cultivates trust and mutual support, which are essential for team unity and success.
In conclusion, this research provides robust empirical evidence for the interconnectedness of awareness of sports rights, social responsibility, team cohesion, and professional ethics. The findings advocate for integrated approaches in athlete development, suggesting that educational programs and policies within sports organizations should aim to cultivate these four areas simultaneously. By doing so, sports institutions can contribute to the holistic development of athletes, promote a more ethical sporting culture, and enhance the positive societal impact of sports. While the study had limitations, such as convenience sampling and a cross-sectional design focused on one sport, its findings offer valuable insights and a basis for future longitudinal and broader research. Practical implications include the development of targeted educational workshops and supportive environments within sports federations and clubs to foster these essential attributes in athletes.
Keywords: Social responsibility, professional ethics, team cohesion, awareness of sports rights
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