Sport Management Studies

Mental analysis of the challenges facing sports startups in Golestan Province

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Bahman Tayebi 1
Masoud Darabi 2
Maryam Hosseini Asgarabadi 1

1 Assistant Professor of Sport Science Departmen,Human and Social Sciences Faculty, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

2 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22089/smrj.2026.17565.4109
Abstract
This study aims to identify and analyze the challenges faced by sports startups in Golestan Province. Utilizing Q-methodology, data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 experts, including university professors, active entrepreneurs, and doctoral students specializing in sports business. Analysis revealed six primary challenges: supportive, managerial, educational, cultural-social, human resources, and competition from large companies. Findings indicate that supportive and cultural-social challenges, due to their high influence, play a pivotal role in shaping the efficiency of sports startups. Conversely, managerial and educational challenges are more dependent and require structural reforms and targeted support. Cross-impact analysis highlights that supportive factors, such as access to financial resources and infrastructure, along with fostering a cultural shift towards sports entrepreneurship, can significantly enhance growth in this sector. The study recommends strategies such as specialized training in sports management and establishing supportive networks to improve the ecosystem for sports startups in the region.

Keywords

Cross-impact analysis
Cultural shift
Managerial challenges
Sports startups
Sustainable development
Subjects
Sport Management Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 September 2026

  • Receive Date 25 December 2024
  • Revise Date 23 May 2026
  • Accept Date 16 June 2026

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