Thematic Analysis of Sport Diplomacy in Development of International Relations

The purpose of this study is identifying and extracting the most important and influential component of sport diplomacy. At first, by reviewing related literature, the component was extracted. Then by using Fuzzy Delphi method, the questionnaire was validated by experts. In addition, exploratory factor analysis was used to summarize the themes extracted from the interviews, identify the factors, and name the extracted factors. Finally, 7 components of political currents, cultural exchange, peacemaking, national unity, economic development, transformation and communication and religious currents were extracted. After identifying the name of research variables in structural-interpretive modeling, the relationship between variables was examined by structural equation modeling test. The results of the structural equation model showed that political currents, cultural exchange, transformation and communication had a direct and significant effect on national unity. The relationship between political and peacebuilding has not been confirmed but national unity and excellence in peace diplomacy have a direct and significant impact on the economic development of societies.