Designing a Quadruple Helix model of Government, University, Industry and Society for development of a knowledge-based economy in the Iran's sport

Sport has become the focus of competition between countries because of its unique role in fostering generation, public health, social vitality, business growth and media dynamism. Therefore, it is vital to study this system from the perspective of its interaction with  the government, academia, industry and society in general and the development of sports knowledge-based economy in particular. This research is aimed at designing a Quadruple Helix model of Government, University, Industry and Society for development of a knowledge-based economy in Iran's sport industry. In this qualitative research a structural-functional analysis approach has been used. The statistical population of the study comprises of 23 knowledge-based economy experts in Iran’s sports industry including university professors, managers and entrepreneurs and nine experts who participated in a Delphi Panel. They were selected on a judgmental based.method. Narrative of research evaluated and approved in three sections; sample scientific and legal validity, content validity tool and agreement between the proofreaders. We used a systematic conceptual analysis and descriptive statistics to analyze the data. Based on the research findings, it can be said that the economics of sports could not be achieved without taking into account of the quadruple spiral pattern among government, university, industry and society. In the Helix pattern,in order to have a knowledge-based economy in sports, the four systems must have active institutions, maps, and knowledge-based structures and participate in the processes as defined in this paper. In other words, an ecosystem suitable for a knowledge-based ' economy in sports will not realized unless a quadruple helix model designed and considered.