Identifying and Prioritizing the Components of Social Capital in the Iranian National Handball Team

The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the components of social capital in the Iranian national handball team. This study was applied in terms of purpose, and it used mixed-method research to collect data. The statistical population of the qualitative phase of the study consisted of sport management professors (who were familiar with the concepts of social capital) and some players, coaches, and managers of Iranian Handball Premier League clubs. The snowball sampling was adopted and continued until theoretical saturation (12 interviews with 11 people) was achieved. The statistical population of the quantitative part of the present study consisted of adult Iranian handball national team players (men), technical staff, and managers of the Iranian Handball Premier League clubs, out of which a sample was selected through purposive sampling method (n = 21). The data collection tool was a questionnaire extracted from the qualitative phase that was designed according to the TOPSIS method. The questionnaire generally identified five components of social capital, including social norms, social cohesion, social support, social trust, and social relations. The results showed that the components of social relations, social support, social cohesion, social trust and social norms are the most important components of social capital in the Iranian national handball team, respectively. Therefore, the consideration of these components in the order of their importance can improve the quality of the Iranian national handball team, resulting in better performance outcomes and improved and satisfactory interactions with capitals such as fans and other groups related to the Iranian national handball team.