Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D. student , Department of sports management,, Isf, C,., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
2 Department of Sport Management,, Isf,C,., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
Leadership in sports environments, especially in national teams in Iran, is influenced by the “paternalistic dictatorship” style, which is a combination of authoritarian and controlled supportive behaviors. This research aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of this leadership style among coaches of national teams in Iran, using the classic grounded theory method proposed by Glaser. Data were collected through 15 semi-structured interviews with university professors, head coaches, and athletes and were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 software. The findings indicate that this leadership style is shaped by three categories of factors: cultural (social hierarchy, respect for authority figures), historical (the legacy of authoritarian governance), and organizational (pressure for immediate results, centralized structure). In the short term, this style fosters team cohesion and compliance with directives; however, in the long term, it can lead to decreased creativity, diminished intrinsic motivation, and increased stress among athletes. Additionally, an inherent contradiction between the authority of the coach and the psychological needs of the athletes was identified. The results suggest that this style, in the context of Iranian sports, is a product of a complex interaction of cultural expectations, organizational pressures, and historical patterns. To optimize the performance of national teams, it is recommended that coaching training programs focus on moderating this style, that performance evaluation systems shift towards long-term criteria, and that a more participatory environment for athletes is created. This study, by providing a native framework, represents a step towards enriching the literature on sports leadership in Iran.
Keywords
- Sports leadership
- paternalistic dictatorship
- national teams of Iran
- grounded theory
- authoritarian coaches
Main Subjects
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