Designing a Model of Discrimination in Sport Teams (Using Grounded Theory)

Discrimination can have negative effects on sport team's performance. Identification of processes, contexts and contributing factors of discrimination can be a useful method to improve sport team's performance. The aim of this study was to design a model of discrimination in sport teams which was conducted through qualitative research method with an exploratory-fundamental nature. Data were collected by purposive-snowball sampling method based on in-depth interviews of academic experts and sport managers and coaches. According to grounded theory, data were analyzed after coding. The results showed that toxic environment of team as causal factors, lack of structural health of team as dominant contexts, internal factors of team as intervening conditions, insouciance of team management as action and interaction strategies and indifference toward a team as consequences of model of discrimination played a role in sport teams. According to the model of discrimination in sport teams, it is suggested that the role of various factors in causing discrimination in sport teams should be considered and systematic approaches should be adopted to prevent the consequences of discrimination. Special attention to contexts and contributing factors of discrimination in sport teams can reduce this phenomenon in sport teams.