Analysis and Ranking of Barriers to the Development of Volleyball in Kerman Province
Subject Areas :
1 - Graduated with a PhD in Sports Management, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman City, Iran.
Keywords: Ranking of Factors, Kerman, Development Barriers, Volleyball,
Abstract :
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Physical education and sports have long been integral to human societies, evolving rapidly and contributing significantly to national development and social advancement. In today’s world, sports—especially team sports like volleyball—are recognized as vital sectors requiring strategic planning, targeted marketing, and sports media to overcome managerial challenges and engage audiences. This study focuses on identifying and ranking the barriers to volleyball development in Kerman Province across five dimensions: economic; managerial and executive; human and environmental; attitudinal and supportive; and facility and equipment. The objective is to provide a foundation for increasing athlete participation, expanding both mass engagement and elite-level performance, and fostering volleyball’s growth provincially and nationally. Addressing these limitations is expected to yield both quantitative and qualitative progress. Historical evidence shows that various programs have been attempted to advance volleyball, and multiple causes have been cited for the underdevelopment of certain sports. Despite Kerman Province’s longstanding sports culture and sizable volleyball fan base, competitive and elite-level achievements remain scarce. The number of professional adult volleyball players is low, and limited club infrastructure and support restrict opportunities for enthusiasts to continue playing. The lack of competitive activity among clubs diminishes managerial motivation and reduces talent retention. Although volleyball is also a university sport, Kerman has yet to see substantial, tangible achievements in this arena. Few comprehensive, scientifically grounded studies on volleyball have been conducted at the provincial level. Most past research has concentrated on organizational behavior variables or the physical and psychological traits of coaches and players, rather than broader structural issues. Accordingly, this research aims to determine the current status of volleyball in Kerman Province, identify existing barriers, and prioritize them according to expert evaluation to inform targeted, effective development strategies.
Methodology
This applied research adopted a descriptive–analytical method and was conducted in the field through a questionnaire survey. The statistical population comprised approximately 4,500 volleyball players, coaches, officials, and veterans in Kerman Province, as recorded by the provincial Volleyball Board. Based on the Morgan Table and considering the population size, a convenience sample of 351 individuals was selected. Of the 345 questionnaires returned, 23 were incomplete and excluded, resulting in 322 valid responses for analysis. Data were collected using the standardized 65‑item questionnaire developed by Keykhosrovi et al. (2013), which demonstrated high reliability (α = 0.951) and validity (0.885). The instrument encompasses five dimensions: economic barriers, managerial and executive barriers, human and environmental barriers, attitudinal and supportive barriers, and facility and equipment barriers. Five research questions were formulated, each corresponding to one of these components. The same questionnaire has been previously used in research examining the development of handball. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27. The one‑sample t‑test was applied to assess the significance of each factor, while the Friedman ranking test was employed to prioritize barriers. Within each component, individual items were ranked to identify their relative importance, allowing for both intra‑category and inter‑category comparisons. This methodological approach ensured that each dimension of potential barriers to volleyball development in Kerman Province was systematically examined and prioritized based on expert and participant perspectives, thereby providing a robust basis for targeted interventions.
Results
The findings revealed that the overall status of the studied variables was weak, with all identified barriers having a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on volleyball development in Kerman Province. Within economic barriers (15 variables), the highest‑ranked issue (mean rank = 13.50) was the legal prohibition on public sector managers investing in professional sports. This restriction emerged as the most critical economic obstacle. In managerial and executive barriers (16 variables), the leading problem (mean rank = 15.50) was the lack of attention to popularizing volleyball, coupled with excessive focus on elite sports. This indicated an imbalance in development priorities. For human and environmental barriers (14 variables), the most pressing issue (mean rank = 12.83) was the lack of public awareness, promotion, and encouragement for active or passive participation in volleyball, highlighting a gap in community engagement. In the attitudinal and supportive barriers category (10 variables), the top obstacle (mean rank = 9.66) was the absence of local publications and dedicated websites for volleyball news and promotion, underscoring deficiencies in media support and outreach. Lastly, among facility and equipment barriers (10 variables), the most significant challenge (mean rank = 10) was the absence of a dedicated hall for the Provincial Volleyball Board, pointing to inadequate sports infrastructure at the organizational level. Collectively, these ranked findings illustrate that key developmental barriers span legal, managerial, social, promotional, and infrastructural domains, all of which require targeted strategic interventions to foster comprehensive volleyball growth in Kerman Province.
Discussion and Conclusion
Previous studies and initiatives have sought to advance volleyball, yet despite Kerman Province’s long sports history and substantial fan base, competitive and elite-level achievements remain limited. The number of adult professional players is particularly low. A shortage of active clubs and minimal support from the few that exist hinder many enthusiasts from continuing in organized teams. The absence of inter-club competition further reduces managerial motivation. Although volleyball is also played at the university level, tangible successes in Kerman are scarce, and few studies grounded in comprehensive scientific methods have been conducted in the province. Most existing research concentrates on organizational behavior or the physical and psychological traits of coaches and players, neglecting broader structural and developmental issues. Recent progress has been modest, but several barriers persist. Key problems include poor coordination among sports authorities and a lack of merit-based selection in management appointments. The Provincial Volleyball Board, responsible for the sport’s governance, has demonstrated weak performance and lacks a cohesive plan for coordinating with municipal volleyball boards. Additionally, limited attention is given to talent identification, developmental pathways, and foundational training programs. These deficiencies constrain both mass participation and elite performance. Based on the barriers identified through expert input in the present study, it is essential to adopt principled, strategic planning combined with concrete operational actions. Such measures are necessary to remove developmental obstacles, strengthen organizational capacity, and achieve the comprehensive growth of volleyball in Kerman Province.
Keywords: Ranking of Factors, Kerman, Development Barriers, Volleyball.
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