Designing a native model for selecting the heads of sports federations in Iran: grounded theory approach

The selection of competent managers has always been of great importance in organizations. The reason is that the competency of managers can play an important role in the development of societies. One of the areas in Iran where the selection of competent managers requires a scientific model is sports federations. To this end, using grounded theory, this qualitative research aimed at designing a native model for choosing heads of sports federations in the country. In this regard, 23 interviews were conducted with experts. The result of these interviews was a set of basic themes that were collected through the open coding process and some articles were extracted from them; then, in the axial coding step the connection between these categories was determined in the form of axial coding paradigm and under the following titles: causal conditions, phenomenology, strategies, underlying factors, interventions and the consequences of choosing the heads of sports federations. In the next step, in the selection coding stage, the story process was plotted. In this research, the causal conditions affecting the selection of the heads of sport federations are divided into two general categories: communicational skills and required sporting expertise in accordance with the federation. For the intrusive factor and the dominant platform, intellectual capital management skill and popularity or social acceptability were determined respectively. Personality traits, managerial features, planning skills, and negotiating and problem solving techniques were also considered as core issues. Moreover, managerial resume in the sport federations and financial management skills, as effective strategies and behaviors, human resource skills and interaction with the media were also included in the outcomes of this model.