Developing a Model of Organizational Trauma in Iran’s Sports and Youth Departments

Daniar  Biabanipour; Samira Aliabadi; Korosh  Veisi

Authors

Daniar Biabanipour Department of Sport Management, Sa.C., Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran. Author
Samira Aliabadi Department of Sport Management, Sa.C., Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9699-0333
Korosh Veisi Department of Sport Management, Sa.C., Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4956-3835

Keywords:

Organizational Trauma; Sports and Youth Departments; Mixed Methods; Organizational Resilience; Human Resource Management; Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive model of organizational trauma in Iran’s Sports and Youth Departments.

Methods and Materials: This applied study used a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, 14 experts in organizational behavior, human resource management, and sports organizations were selected through snowball sampling, and structured open-ended interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Qualitative data were analyzed through open, axial, and theoretical coding using MAXQDA 20. The extracted components were used to develop a researcher-made questionnaire whose content validity was examined using CVR and CVI and whose qualitative coding reliability was confirmed through test–retest and inter-coder agreement. In the quantitative phase, 328 managers and deputy managers from Sports and Youth organizations and departments across Iran were selected through convenience sampling from a population of 2,215 individuals. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 and SmartPLS 4 through reliability and validity assessment, the Friedman test, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modeling.

Findings: The qualitative model comprised causal conditions, enabling conditions, contextual factors, strategies, intervening factors, and consequences. Expert validation showed that all dimensions of the conceptual model were significant (p < .001). Friedman tests indicated significant differences in the rankings of all model components (p < .001). Pearson correlations showed strong positive relationships between organizational trauma and all structural dimensions (r = .958–.980, p ≤ .01). Structural modeling demonstrated that socio-cultural, economic–financial, temporal–contextual, organizational–performance, political–legal, emotional–psychological, technological–informational, and physical dimensions all had positive and significant effects on organizational trauma (B = .128–.130, p < .001). Emotional–psychological and technological–informational dimensions showed the highest path coefficients (B = .130).

Conclusion: Organizational trauma in Iran’s Sports and Youth Departments is a multidimensional and systemic phenomenon shaped by interacting managerial, psychological, structural, contextual, technological, cultural, and environmental factors; therefore, its effective management requires integrated organizational interventions focused on leadership, fairness, communication, employee support, resilience, and adaptive organizational systems.

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