ranking of factors affecting the improvement of the status of retired volunteers in Iranian sports using the combined approach of DEMITEL and Network Analysis

The aim of this study was to ranking of factors influencing the improvement of the status of retired volunteers in Iranian sports by designing and implementing a combined approach DEMITEL and network analysis. The present research method was mixed (qualitative-quantitative). The statistical population of the study included the elite in the field of research, for which purpose 13 people were identified as the research sample according to the purposeful sampling method. The research collection tools included a researcher-made questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The validity of the questionnaire was examined according to the opinion of experts. The reliability of this questionnaire was also investigated using Alpha-Cronbach's calculation method (α = 0.85). In the quantitative analysis section of the study, DEMITEL method and network analysis was used. The entire process of analyzing research data was performed in Superdeicision software. The results showed that a total of 6 general factors were identified as factors affecting the improvement of the situation of retired volunteers in Iranian sports. These factors included advertising activities, social issues, communication activities, sports image, motivational space, and managerial ability. The results also showed that the factors of social issues, communication activities, sports image, and motivational space are the causal factors that affect other factors. According to the results, it was found that among the mentioned factors, social issues have the greatest effect compared to other factors.