A Professional Development Model for Sport Managers in Iranian Sports Organizations

The study is to design a conceptual model of professional development for managers in Iranian sports organizations. The research method was a qualitative type with a systematic heuristic approach. The statistical population consisted of two sections of human resources (managers, professors, educators, etc.) and information resources (books, articles, documents, media, etc.). The sampling was done in a sufficient number and with a judgmental method based on theoretical saturation (20 pepole and 57 file). The research tools included systematic library study and structured exploratory interviews. The validity of the instrument was evaluated and validated based on exemplary legal and scientific validity, expert opinion, and agreement between the examiners. To analyze the data, multi-stage conceptual coding with system analysis approach was used. The conceptual framework of the research consisted of 74 components, 16 dimensions and 6 levels. The levels of Model respectively influence on-from sequence of their variables including: Requirements of professionalism in sports management (2 dimensions), efficiency of sports managers training system (3 dimensions), professional development strategies (3 dimensions), professional capacity building system development (3 dimensions), professional development of sports managers (3 dimensions) and professional development functions of managers (2 dimensions). Based on the findings, it can be said that the professional development of sports managers is a systematic and strategic process that is influenced by external and internal requirements and leads to goal functions through efficiency and capacity building. Therefore, it is suggested to use the framework presented in this study to improve the process in Iranian sports organizations.