Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate, Department of Sport Management, Karaj branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Management, Karaj branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Sport Management, Karaj branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

10.22051/sbj.2024.46102.1135

Abstract

Purpose: The research focuses on esports branding in the era of globalization, with a multimethod analysis of the FIFAe World Cup.
Methodology: This research was conducted in two parts: quantitative and qualitative. The statistical population of this study was experts in the field of brand and esports. Twenty people from the research community were interviewed and selected as the statistical sample of the research. This research uses Fuzzy Delphi, the balanced scorecard, and the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchical Process.
Finding: The qualitative section identified the most critical challenges in developing the FIFAe World Cup brand using the Fuzzy Delphi method, resulting in 17 concepts. In the quantitative part, the fuzzy analytic hierarchical process determined the priority of each challenge affecting brand development. The study found that Weakness in the management structure was the most critical challenge from the perspective of internal processes, neglect of research was the most significant challenge from the perspective of growth and learning, ignorance of new methods of monetization and sponsorship were the most critical challenges from the standpoint of financial aspects, and Weakness in service quality was the most vital challenge from the perspective of customers.
Originality: The implications of this research suggest that using this model can help familiarize managers with priorities for addressing brand development challenges of the FIFAe World Cup and enable the integration of brand performance evaluation. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for developing the brand of the FIFAe World Cup and offers a structured approach for addressing these challenges.

Keywords

Abdolmaleki, H. (2020). Modelling the role of Ergonomy and Sportscape on Service Experience of Clients of E-Sport Business with mediating of E- Word of mouth. Communication Management in Sport Media, 8(1), 50-60. https://doi.org/10.30473/jsm.2020.52424.1405
Abdolmaleki, H., Mirzazadeh, Z. S., & Ghahfarokhhi, E. A. (2018). Identify and prioritise factors affecting sports consumer behaviour in Iran. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 18(1-2), 42-62. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSMM.2017.10012364
Abdolmaleki, H., Mohammadi, S., Babaei, M., Soheili, B., Dickson, G., & Funk, D. (2023). Co-branding drivers between professional sport organizations and on-field sports apparel sponsors. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 24(5), 985-1001. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-03-2023-0048
Abdolmaleki, H., Soheili, B., Varmus, M., & Khodayari, A. (2020). Presenting a new mixed method for measuring service quality of health clubs. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 20(5-6), 312. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSMM.2020.115117
Akbari Yazdi, H., Hamidi, M., Sajjadi, S. N., & Khabiri, M. (2014). The analysis of service quality of I.R.Iran football premier league based on SERVQUAL. Sport Management Studies, 6(25), 15-38. https://smrj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_3.html?lang=en
Anderson, A., Dixon, M. A., Oshiro, K. F., Wicker, P., Cunningham, G. B., & Heere, B. (2019). Managerial perceptions of factors affecting the design and delivery of sport for health programs for refugee populations. Sport Management Review, 22(1), 80-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2018.06.015
Asagba, B. O. (2009). Perceived impediments to effective sports sponsorship in Nigeria. International Journal of African & African-American Studies, 7(1), 67-72. https://oa.mg/work/162625618
Azimzadeh, S. M., Ehsani, M., Kordnaeij, A. a., & Kozechian, H. (2014). Identifying a conceptual model for starting-up small and medium sized sport enterprises. Sport Management Studies, 6(22), 189-208. https://smrj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_216.html?lang=en
Baker, B., & Pizzo, A. (2021). Unpacking nuance among esports consumers: Market partitions within esports based on social media analytics. International Journal of Esports., Fox School of Business Research Paper Forthcoming, 1-14. https://www.ijesports.org/article/53/html
Bridgewater, S. (2010). Football brands. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9780230281363
Chan, F. T., & Kumar, N. (2007). Global supplier development considering risk factors using fuzzy extended AHP-based approach. Omega, 35(4), 417-431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2005.08.004
Chanavat, N. (2017). French football, foreign investors: global sports as country branding. Journal of Business Strategy, 38(6), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-04-2017-0053
Chang, D.-Y. (1996). Applications of the extent analysis method on fuzzy AHP. European journal of operational research, 95(3), 649-655. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(95)00300-2
Costa, C. A. (2005). The status and future of sport management: A Delphi study. Journal of Sport Management, 19(2), 117-142. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.19.2.117
Cunningham, G. B., Fairley, S., Ferkins, L., Kerwin, S., Lock, D., Shaw, S., & Wicker, P. (2018). eSport: Construct specifications and implications for sport management. Sport Management Review, 21(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.11.002
Dalkey, N., Brown, B., & Cochran, S. (1970). Use of self-ratings to improve group estimates: Experimental evaluation of Delphi procedures. Technological Forecasting, 1(3), 283-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/0099-3964(70)90029-3
Dilek, S. E. (2019). E-Sport Events within Tourism Paradigm: A Conceptual Discussion. Uluslararası Güncel Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 3(1), 12-22. https://doi.org/10.30625/ijctr.525426
Eizadi, A., Shabani Bahar, G., Goodarzi, M., & Honari, H. (2017). Development of Marketing Strategic Planning for Planning for Iranian Football Premier League Clubs with SWOT Analysis. Applied Research in Sport Management, 6(2), 21-34. https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_4294.html?lang=en
Finch, D. J., Abeza, G., O’Reilly, N., & Mikkelson, A. (2020). Esport sponsorship: Practitioners’ perspectives on emerging trends. Journal of Brand Strategy, 9(1), 59-74. https://hstalks.com/article/5630/esport-sponsorship-practitioners-perspectives-on-e/
Funk, D. C., Pizzo, A. D., & Baker, B. J. (2018). eSport management: Embracing eSport education and research opportunities. Sport Management Review, 21(1), 7-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.07.008
Hollebeek, L. D., & Chen, T. (2014). Exploring positively-versus negatively-valenced brand engagement: a conceptual model. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 23(1), 62-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-06-2013-0332
Hsu, T., & Yang, T. (2000). Application of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process in the selection of advertising media. Journal of Management and Systems, 7(1), 19-39.
Ishikawa, A., Amagasa, M., Shiga, T., Tomizawa, G., Tatsuta, R., & Mieno, H. (1993). The max-min Delphi method and fuzzy Delphi method via fuzzy integration. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 55(3), 241-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0114(93)90251-C
Jang, W. W., & Byon, K. K. (2020). Antecedents of esports gameplay intention: Genre as a moderator. Computers in Human Behavior, 109, 106336.
Jensen, M. B., & Beckmann, S. C. (2009). Determinants of innovation and creativity in corporate branding: Findings from Denmark. Journal of Brand Management, 16(7), 468-479. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.bm.2550138
Kashtidar, M., Gholizadeh, B., Okhravi, A., & Abdolmaleki, H. (2017). Identify Assess Service Quality and Performance of Women’s Health Clubs in Mashhad Using Combined Fuzzy AHP, QFD & BSC Method. Sport Management Studies, 9(45), 191-212. https://doi.org/10.22089/smrj.2017.3708.1726
Keshavarz, L., Farahani, A., & Alizadeh Golrizi, A. (2017). An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Beneficiaries' Behavior in Commercialization of Sport Research. Scientific Journal Of Organizational Behavior Management in Sport Studies, 4(3), 11-20. http://fmss.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_3963_0f330e6e074f78588efbd9c8e603af15.pdf
Khabiri, M., Ghaffari, H., & Elahi, A. (2004). Comparing the current situation of Islamic Republic of Iran’s Pro-Football League with the standards of UEFA and selecting clubs from countries such as Japan, Turkey, The Emirates and South Korea. Tehran, Iran.
Kim, K., Byon, K. K., & Baek, W. (2020). Customer-to-customer value co-creation and co-destruction in sporting events. The Service Industries Journal, 40(9-10), 633-655. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2019.1586887
Kotler, P. T. (2019). Marketing management. Pearson UK. https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ-fDwAAQBAJ
Kumar, P. (2005). Market for ecosystem services. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/66967
Kunkel, T., Funk, D., & King, C. (2014). Developing a conceptual understanding of consumer-based league brand associations. Journal of Sport Management, 28(1), 49-67. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2011-0153
Lee, M. (2017). Motivated processing of commercial information in televised sports: How team performance influences cognitive information processing and attitude formations. [PhD Dissertation, Indiana University]. USA. https://www.proquest.com/openview/5f6c409afd084afd6a2acd0f8e2a04a5/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
Lotfi, S., Hossein Zade, A., Faragi, A., & Ahmadi, M. (2012). Investigation of Spatial Distribution of Urban Parks and Site Selections of New Parks Using Fuzzy Logic and Analytical Hierarchic Process (Case Study: Babolsar). Journal of Environmental Studies, 38(3), 147-154. https://doi.org/10.22059/JES.2012.29156
Mahmoudabadi, M. Z., Razavi, S. M. J., & Abdolmaleki, H. (2019). A structural model for investigating the role of relationship marketing and brand equity in the development of the business performance of private sport clubs. International Sports Studies, 41(1), 13. https://doi.org/doi:10.30819/iss.41-1.05
Manoli, A. E. (2020). Brand capabilities in English Premier League clubs. European Sport Management Quarterly, 20(1), 30-46. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2019.1693607
Mohammadi, S., Rayner, M., Ghaffarisadr, S. I., & Abdolmaleki, H. (2023). Sponsorship Strategies and Branding in Esports. In Sports Sponsorship and Branding (pp. 39-55). Routledge.
Naha, S., & Hassan, D. (2018). Introduction: ethical concerns in sport governance. Sport in Society, 21(5), 721-723. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2018.1400783
Najafikolori, M., Goodarzi, M., Farahani, A., & Esmaeli Bidhendi, H. (2012). Effective Factors of Corruption in Sport Organizations (Case Study : Football Federation of I.R Iran). Journal of Sport Management, 4(14), 109-122. https://doi.org/10.22059/jsm.2012.28907
Osuna Ramírez, S. A., Veloutsou, C., & Morgan-Thomas, A. (2019). I hate what you love: brand polarization and negativity towards brands as an opportunity for brand management. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 28(5), 614-632. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-03-2018-1811
Pedroso, G., Bermann, C., & Sanches-Pereira, A. (2018). Combining the functional unit concept and the analytic hierarchy process method for performance assessment of public transport options. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 6(4), 722-736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2018.09.002
Pizzo, A., Jones, G., Baker, B., Funk, D., & Kunkel, T. (2021). Sensemaking of novelty: The dynamic nature of integrating esports within a traditional sport organization. Sport Management Review, 25(3), 383-405. https://doi.org/10.1080/14413523.2021.1935609
Pizzo, A. D., Na, S., Baker, B. J., Lee, M. A., Kim, D., & Funk, D. C. (2018). eSport vs. Sport: A Comparison of Spectator Motives. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 27(2), 108-123. https://doi.org/10.32731/SMQ.272.062018.04
Price, J., Farrington, N., & Hall, L. (2013). Changing the game? The impact of Twitter on relationships between football clubs, supporters and the sports media. Soccer & Society, 14(4), 446-461. https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970.2013.810431
Rasooli, M., Khabiri, M., Elahi, A., & Aghaee, N. (2016). Internal factors and obstacles of brand management in Iran's pro league football clubs. Sport Management Studies, 8(35), 51-66. https://doi.org/10.22089/smrj.2016.718
Rezaei, S., . Ehsani, M. Kuzhchian, Hashem. Amiri, M. (2015). Designing effective commercialization mechanisms for football clubs in Iran. Research in Sport Management & Motor Behavior, 5(9), 119-130. http://jrsm.khu.ac.ir/article-1-2300-en.html
Richelieu, A., & Lessard, S. (2014). Long gone the glory days: is branding of any help? The case of formerly successful European football teams. Sport, Business and Management, 4(4), 284-297. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBM-11-2013-0043
Saatchian, V., Elahi, A., & Rasouli, M. (2012). Power Balance: An Analysis of the Competitive Balance Trend of the Iranian Professional Football League and the European Premier League Using the HICB Index. Sport Management Studies, 15, 15. https://en.civilica.com/doc/194424/
Saaty, T. L. (1980). The Analytic Hierarchy Process: Planning, Priority Setting, Resource Allocation. McGraw-Hill International Book Company. https://books.google.com/books?id=Xxi7AAAAIAAJ
Saaty, T. L. (2000). Fundamentals of decision making and priority theory with the analytic hierarchy process. RWS publications. https://books.google.com/books?id=wct10TlbbIUC
Saber Sheikh, R. (2013). Identify the parameters that determine the brand value and provide a model for pricing and brand valuation of the International Exhibition Company. [Master of science, School of Management, Islamic Azad University of Central Tehran Branch]. Tehran, Iran.
Schnitzer, M., Scheiber, S., Lang, M., Brandstetter, E., & Kopp, M. (2014). Perception of the new competition formats in the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games sports programme—A spectators’ perspective. Sport Management Review, 17(4), 432-443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2014.01.002
Scholz, T. M. (2019). eSports is Business. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-11199-1
Slavich, M. A., Dwyer, B., & Rufer, L. (2018). An evolving experience: An investigation of the impact of sporting event factors on spectator satisfaction. Journal of Global Sport Management, 3(1), 79-98. https://doi.org/10.1080/24704067.2017.1411162
Sui, S., & Baum, M. (2014). Internationalization strategy, firm resources and the survival of SMEs in the export market. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(7), 821-841. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2014.11
Tallman, S., Luo, Y., & Buckley, P. (2017). Business Models in Global Competition. Global Strategy Journal, 8(4), 517-535. https://doi.org/10.1002/gsj.1165
Tomlinson, A. (2014). The supreme leader sails on: Leadership, ethics and governance in FIFA. Sport in Society, 17(9), 1155-1169. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2013.856590
Wu, C.-H., & Fang, W.-C. (2011). Combining the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and the fuzzy Delphi method for developing critical competences of electronic commerce professional managers. Quality & Quantity, 45, 751-768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-010-9425-6