Micro-Management Syndrome (MMS); The Hidden Plague Management in Sports Organizations

Introduction: This research aimed to explore the factors influencing the occurrence and spread of Micro-Management Syndrome (MMS) in sports organizations in Isfahan province.
Methods: This descriptive-exploratory study employed a grounded theory approach with a Glayzer coding framework and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews. Senior managers, experienced experts from sports organizations, and university professors knowledgeable in the research topic were interviewed. Theoretical saturation was achieved after 18 interviews.
Results: The results identified factors affecting the occurrence and spread of MMS across four domains: Management Factors (managers' controlling attitude, managerial pressures and high workload, managerial stress and burnout, results-oriented approach), Human Resources Factors (weak organizational trust culture, lack of support for employee motivation and creativity, increased organizational conflicts and dissatisfaction, employee reluctance), Organizational Factors (impact of authoritarian organizational culture, inefficient management structures and reduced organizational productivity, weakness in organizational operational efficiency), and Societal Factors (socio-economic impacts, negative public image of the organization, spread of inefficient management culture in society).
Conclusion: The findings of this research indicated that MMS is a multifaceted phenomenon. In addition to factors and shortcomings related to the manager, employees' lack of trust in the organization and management, and generally, employees' unwillingness to participate in organizational processes, weak organizational productivity, and an authoritarian organizational culture, along with inappropriate societal views and expectations of the organization and management, can influence the occurrence and development of this phenomenon.