Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph. D student of Sport Management-Marketing & Media-Department of physical education. Sanandaj branch. Islamic Azad University. Sanandajj . Iran
2
Assistance professor of Sport Management-Department of physical education and sport sciences., Sanandaj branch., Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj. Iran (koroshveisi@yahoo.com)
3
2Assistant ProFessor of Sport Msnsgmnet, Department of Physical Education, Sanandaj Branch,Islamic Azad University,Sanandaj, Iran
4
4Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Department of Physical Education,Research Institute of Physical Education and Sport Science.
10.22034/sms.2025.140557.1299
Abstract
The aim of this study was to design a model for social media marketing in e-sport businesses based on the grounded theory and the structural interpretive model. The research method employed a mixed approach (qualitative-quantitative), with participants consisting of experts in sports marketing, media, and e-sport businesses. The selection criteria for participants in the qualitative section were theoretical saturation, and a purposive sampling method along with snowball sampling strategy resulted in the selection of 18 individuals. The identified individuals from the qualitative section were then used for structural-interpretive analysis. Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews for the qualitative section and a 14x14 matrix for the quantitative section. To ensure validity and reliability, the coding process utilized strategies such as credibility, transferability, conformability, process audit, and agreement within the subject. The qualitative data analysis involved two stages: initial coding and focused coding, while the quantitative data analysis employed the structural interpretive modeling and the MICMAC analysis. The findings revealed 14 determinant factors related to social media marketing in e-sport businesses. Based on the structural interpretive analysis, the relationships between these factors were categorized into 7 levels, forming a hierarchical relationship model. This model demonstrates that social media marketing in e-sport businesses leads to changes in consumer behavior and the effectiveness of marketing activities. The underlying cause of this transformation is the growth of the digital environment, followed by the widespread penetration of social media networks. Based on these results, it can be concluded that social media marketing in e-sport businesses is a complex multifaceted process, with interconnected components that create interactions and reactions in social media marketing.
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