Prioritization of Factors Affecting the Development of Reverse Logistics in Sports in Semnan Province

Subject Areas :

Meysam Ghanbariyan ¹ , Ali Fahiminezhad ^{2 *} , باقر مرسل ³ , mahdi goudarzi ⁴

1 - دانشجوی دکتری مدیریت ورزشی، گروه تربیت بدنی، واحد شاهرود، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، شاهرود، ایران
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran
3 - گروه جغرافیا، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Payamnoor University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-10-20 Accepted : 2025-06-24 Published : 2025-10-04

Keywords: logistics development, sports goods, culture, sports.,

Abstract :

Extended Abstract

Introduction

In the development of reverse logistics in sports activities, it is necessary to provide appropriate conditions; however, this is while reverse logistics management has no place in the country's sports organizations, especially in Semnan Province. The lack of reverse logistics in the organization of sports activities in Semnan Province is a reason for this claim. On the other hand, the lack of use of reverse logistics has caused sports events to not benefit properly from the benefits of reverse logistics. And the lack of comprehensive research on the needs related to the development of reverse logistics in sports events has also caused there to be practically no solutions for the development of reverse logistics in sports events, and also the status of the use of reverse logistics in sports events is not clear and evident. The development and growth of sports at various levels of championship, professional, educational and public has caused it to be considered as an area that has an impact on the conditions of society and the surrounding environment, and its impact on environmental issues is evident. While some initial observations can be said that attention to reverse logistics in sports has been given less attention, especially in our country. This issue has caused a research gap in the development of reverse logistics in the dimensions of sports to be felt well. This deficiency, in addition to reducing scientific evidence about this new technology in sports, has caused the lack of scientific and desirable factors for its application. Therefore, the few efforts made regarding the application of reverse logistics will not be accompanied by sufficient scientific support and will likely encounter problems that require more and more coherent research to resolve this issue in order to prioritize the factors affecting the development of logistics in sports. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to prioritize the factors affecting the development of reverse logistics in sports in Semnan province. 

Methodology

The present study was applied in terms of its purpose, research method, and survey collection method. The statistical population of the study was members of the faculty of physical education, managers of sports organizations, experts in the field of environment, MBA, industrial engineering, and other experts. Given the type of research, firstly, a specific number of samples was not determined in advance, and secondly, qualitative sampling methods were used. The purposive sampling method was used at this stage. After interviewing 14 experts, theoretical saturation was achieved; so that the interviewees did not mention any new concepts or categories. The duration of the interviews varied between 50 and 105 minutes, and due to the spread of the coronavirus disease and compliance with health protocols, it was not possible to visit in person; therefore, most of them were conducted by telephone. In order to evaluate the discovered components, a researcher-made questionnaire was used, considering the main and final concepts that emerged in each category, and their results were analyzed. This questionnaire consisted of six sections (causal conditions (12 items), background conditions (20 items), interfering conditions (21 items), main phenomenon (4 items), development strategies (6 items), and development consequences (4 items)) and 67 items. In this study, with the aim of better recognizing and understanding the influential components (causal conditions, background and interfering factors), main phenomenon, strategies, and consequences used in the strategic planning of relevant sports organizations in Semnan province, the directional qualitative content analysis method was used. 

Results

The highest averages in the concepts related to intervening factors are related to the concepts of "lack of principled planning for the development of reverse logistics in sports activities" (12.82), "lack of supportive and motivating laws (legal and organizational improvement) in the use of reverse logistics processes in line with environmental goals in sports" (12.57), and "lack of specialized management forces" (12.38); and they have the highest priority in this section. The lowest average ratings are related to the concepts of "lack of information technology systems in sports in the province with regard to environmental factors" (9.97), "lack of specific environmental standards for various sports disciplines in the province" (10.15), and "deficiencies in specialized reverse logistics infrastructure in sports activities in the province" (10.31); and they have the lowest priority in this section. 

Discussion and Conclusion

This research was conducted with the aim of prioritizing the factors affecting the development of reverse logistics in sports in Semnan province, and the results showed that the most important components include customer satisfaction, environmental factors, and reducing the consumption of harmful raw materials. The three main priorities of causal conditions were determined as customer valuation, principled management of natural resources, and strategic non-renewable resources, respectively. The findings emphasize that customer satisfaction, production of green products and services, recycling and refurbishing sports equipment, reducing waste, and paying attention to the environment are key factors in the development of reverse logistics. Structural, managerial, informational, and technical barriers are also considered the most important challenges in implementing this process, the removal of which requires education, culture, the formulation of supportive laws, the use of new technologies, and strategic planning. Finally, the development of reverse logistics in sports in Semnan province can, in addition to improving the quality of sports services and increasing customer satisfaction, also help protect the environment and improve the productivity of sports organizations. 

Keywords: logistics development, sports goods, culture, sports.

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