A Model for Analysis of Culturalization Mechanism of Fan Behavior in Iran Football Stadiums

The purpose of this study was to present a model for analysis of culturalization mechanism of fan behavior in Iran football stadiums.

The research method was descriptive-correlative, in terms of purpose, it was functional and in terms of the data collection method, it was a field. The statistical population of the present study was all employees of the department of culture and development of sports of the general directorate of sports and youth of the provinces of the country, as well as the chairman, vice chairman and secretary of the football association of the provinces of the country and finally the managers of the Islamic Republic of Iran football federation and the league organization (169 people). The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire composed of 54 items that were evaluated in qualitative section by Delphi method for validity, content, and formality validation of the soccer sports experts (5 people) and sports management professors (5 people). By applying experts' opinion and by calculating the importance of each item in the questionnaire, and the reliability of the tool was obtained by Cronbach's alpha coefficient α = 0.88.

Regarding the dimensions and priority of the model structures, the results indicated that the priority of the structures included the systematic culturalization, provision of facilities and services, the development of the stadium culture, the division of inter-organizational work, system monitoring and control, the behavior building of the sponsor, capacity building of the event culture, Inter-sectoral coordination, and cross-sectoral coordination and determine the role of stakeholders.

By understanding of culturalization mechanism of fan behavior we can received a new category based on previous studies, managers' experiences, and the perception of sports management experts. This model is appropriate framework for future studies in the field of culture development in the football stadiums, and can be the basis of action. Because comprehensive cognition based on identifying key factors and how they interact with each other and provides continuous evaluation capability, and it can take a comprehensive view for officials and planners.