Investigating the Effect of Knowledge-based Sports Companies on Entrepreneurship and Development of Sports Products

Today, the sports industry is an indispensable part of the economy, playing an essential role in both the practical and spectacular sectors, in the production and use of sports equipment and services, and in the development of the national economic sector. In today's world, the long-term survival of a business depends on its strength and ability to successfully introduce its new products to the market. The establishment of some companies in the sports industry has made it important to develop new products in this industry and create entrepreneurship and employment. Attention to the sports industry and the abilities of this industry to develop and expand entrepreneurship and create new businesses related to sports in Iran has created a suitable field. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of sports knowledge-based companies on entrepreneurship and the development of sports products.

The research was an applied study in terms of the objective and a descriptive survey in terms of data collection and analysis. The statistical population was made up of all managers and experts of sports-related knowledge-based companies in Tehran, which amounted to 43 companies based on the information obtained from Tehran Science and Technology Park, and all were selected as the research sample. The data collection instrument was a standard questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by management professors and whose reliability was endorsed by previous studies. Descriptive statistics (e.g., frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and structural equations were used for analysis using SPSS and AMOS software packages.

The findings showed that all absolute and relative fit indices were at a very good level. Also, the RMSEA fit index was 0.048. Therefore, the model had a good fit. Also, knowledge-based companies were found to promote the culture of sports entrepreneurship and innovation in producing new products in the sports industry. On the other hand, the impact factor of sports knowledge-based companies was 57% on sports entrepreneurship, 24% on the development of sports products, and 75% on the development of sports products.

Conclusion/ Implications: 

It can be drawn from the results that it is necessary to lay the ground for the establishment and expansion of knowledge-based sports companies to promote sports-related businesses and the production of sports products, goods, and equipment. Furthermore, the establishment of companies in the field of entrepreneurship and sports, the application of innovative technologies and systems, and the development of sports equipment and products with innovative and developmental capabilities can contribute to the sustainable development of sports activities and the creation of new business and economic opportunities in this industry.