Brain Drain in Sport: Socio-Cultural, Economic Drivers, and Policy Implications of Athlete Migration Rasool Norouzi Seyed Hossini, Maryam Amini, Erfan Moradi, Fereshteh Mohebbi, Asghar Afshar Jahanshahi Journal of Public Affairs, 2025 The global sports landscape has witnessed a significant rise in athlete migration, shaped by complex socio‐cultural and economic factors. This study employs a qualitative research design based on grounded theory, specifically utilizing situational analysis (SA), to examine the migration dynamics of Iranian athletes. SA was selected for its capacity to provide a comprehensive analytical framework that captures the historical context, social arenas, and positionalities influencing migration trajectories. Findings reveal that Iranian athletes' migration is primarily driven by: (1) socioeconomic instability, and (2) the network of social relationships, which collectively shape five distinct migration positions. By developing a grounded theoretical model, this study offers a nuanced typology of Iranian athlete migration, contributing to the broader discourse on sports mobility, transnationalism, and the intersection of structural constraints and individual agency in migration decisions. From a policy perspective, the study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of migration, such as socioeconomic instability and the lack of opportunities within national sports systems. While investments in economic development, sports infrastructure, and talent retention strategies are generally believed to mitigate migration, initial improvements in these areas may not necessarily lead to less migration and could, in some cases, exacerbate the trend. This paper explores this theoretical contradiction and suggests that while investment in sports development is crucial, further research is needed to understand how such policies interact with different types of migration, including economic, forced, and temporary migration. Policies aimed at improving economic conditions for athletes, fostering talent retention strategies, and enhancing local sports infrastructures may still play a role in reducing some forms of migration, particularly if coupled with efforts to create stronger support networks and career development programs for athletes within the country.
Unlocking the secrets of change: ethnographic insights into older adults’ leisure time physical activity during COVID-19 R Norouzi Seyed Hossini Leisure/Loisir 50 (2), 495-523 , 2026 2026
A quarter-century of contributions to tourism scholarship: tracing historical themes and citation patterns in current issues in tourism E Moradi, N Kazemi, MR Salehipour, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, Z Ghaderi Current Issues in Tourism 29 (6), 1161-1183 , 2026 2026 Citations: 9
Sport tourism and destination attractiveness: bridging gaps in research for emerging economies E Moradi, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini Tourism Recreation Research 51 (2), 485-514 , 2026 2026 Citations: 20
Analyzing Key Actors in the Governance of Elite Sports in Iran: A Mixed-Methods Approach H Parsimanesh, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, S Nazari journal of olympic studies, e240460 , 2026 2026
Phenomenology and Sports Management: Explaining the Phenomenological Approach with an Emphasis on Studying Risk-Taking Among Mountaineers R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, S Nazari, P Abrishami Archives in Sport Management and Leadership , 2026 2026
The Impact of Educational Intervention based on Social-Cognitive Theory (SCT) in Changing Attitudes and Enhancing Female Students' Participation in Pool-Based Aquatic Activities SR Mortazavi Far, M Ehsani, R Norouzi Seyed Hosseini, ... Journal of Sport Management and Motor Behavior , 2026 2026
Breaking the silence: Phenomenological unveiling of the hidden impact of abuse on Iranian athletes F Mohebbi, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, M Saffari, H Aghaeinia Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse 25 (1), 259-280 , 2026 2026
The Mediating Role of Epistemic Trust and Epistemic Mistrust In Explaining Mindfulness Based on Avoidant Attachment MP Khordouni, M Esmaeilinasab, RNS Hosseini, A Bakhshayesh Psychological Studies 21 (4) , 2026 2026
IdentifyingThe pattern of social distinction in sports based on Bourdieu's theory ALI Maleki, F Ghafouri, H Honari, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini Research on Educational Sport 13 (41), e4807 , 2025 2025
Understanding the lived experience of the transition to retirement of football players: a phenomenological study R Mohammad Bayani, M Ehsani, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, R Calderon Sport Management Journal 17 (4), 100-78 , 2025 2025
Studying the Factors Affecting the Ethical Decision Making of female coaches in Tehran province B Asiyaei, M Mokhtari Dinani, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini Sport Management Studies 17 (93), 123-144 , 2025 2025
Combined teaching games for understanding and sport education in PE can improve student emotion regulation, intrapersonal intelligence and psychomotor skills S Nazari, RNS Hossini, E Norouzi, D Manzano-Sánchez, S Pill Acta Psychologica 261, 105812 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Development of a Measurement Tool for Women’s Empowerment: Steps and Results F Allahyari, R Norouzi Seyyed Hossini, M Ehsani, G Bagheri Ragheb Woman in Development & Politics 23 (3), 503-532 , 2025 2025
Analysis of the Constituent Elements of Good Governance in Iranian Elite Sports: A Mixed-Methods Approach H Parsimanesh, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, S Nazari Sport Management Journal , 2025 2025
Redefining possibilities: a journey into personality traits, serious leisure, and life satisfaction among athletes with physical disabilities F Soraya, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, M Saffari Managing Sport and Leisure 30 (5), 998-1014 , 2025 2025
Culture of Active Aging in the Neighborhood Environment in Iran: An Ethnographic Approach S Khanizadeh, M Ehsani, RNS Hosseini, S Ghaedrahmati, YJ Yoon Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 40 (3), 395-407 , 2025 2025
Sport destination competitiveness and attractiveness: Scale development and validation E Moradi, RNS Hossini Journal of Destination Marketing & Management 37, 101004 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Typology of Iranian Athletes' Migration R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, M Amini, MM Rahmati, F Mohebbi, ... Strategic Studies on Youth and Sports 24 (68), 97-126 , 2025 2025
Brain Drain in Sport: Socio‐Cultural, Economic Drivers, and Policy Implications of Athlete Migration R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, M Amini, E Moradi, F Mohebbi, AA Jahanshahi Journal of Public Affairs 25 (3), e70068 , 2025 2025
Nudging toward Physical Activity: a Bibliometric Analysis and Future Scopes. SR Mortazavi Far, M Ehsani, RNS Hosseini, N Hajimoladarvish Journal of New Studies in Sport Management 6 (3) , 2025 2025
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
How can destination competitiveness play an essential role in small island sports tourism development? Integrated ISM-MICMAC modelling of key factors E Moradi, M Ehsani, M Saffari, R Norouzi Seyed Hosseini Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights 6 (3), 1222-1252 , 2023 2023 Citations: 72
Developing an integrated model for the competitiveness of sports tourism destinations E Moradi, M Ehsani, M Saffari, RNS Hosseini Journal of destination marketing & management 26, 100743 , 2022 2022 Citations: 64
The effect of physical activity On quality of life and life expectancy In the elderly Fars province M Sanaei, Z Sh, R Norouzi Journal of Sport Management Studies 5 (17), 137-57 , 2014 2014 Citations: 35
The Relationship between Organizational Socialization and Organizational Commitment in Physical Education Departments' Employees in Mazandaran-Iran SA Afsanepurak, RNS Hossini, MK Seyfari, ZM Nasab International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2 … , 2012 2012 Citations: 33
Examining the effectiveness of a PETTLEP imagery intervention on the football skill performance of novice athletes RNS Hossini, MS Afroozeh, M Vaezmosavi, M Gerber, U Puehse, S Brand Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity 14 (1) , 2019 2019 Citations: 29
An introduction on qualitative research method in sport NSHR Amiri.M University of Tehran publication , 2013 2013 Citations: 29
Relationship between perceived organizational support with job satisfaction and organizational commitment of sports departments' staff. M Ehsani, HS Sofdel, M Amiri, FF Masrur, RNS Hossini 2013 Citations: 22
Analysis of motivation for participation in sport for all SA Afsanepurak, H Seyed, N Rasool, MK Seyfari, H Fathi International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences 3 (4), 790-795 , 2012 2012 Citations: 21
Sport tourism and destination attractiveness: bridging gaps in research for emerging economies E Moradi, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini Tourism Recreation Research 51 (2), 485-514 , 2026 2026 Citations: 20
Review of the concept of human capital in sports with an emphasis on capability approach RNS Hossini Applied Science Reports , 2015 2015 Citations: 19
The effect of physical activities on quality of life and hope life in older adults of Mazandaran province M Sanaei, S Zardoshtian, SHR NORUZI Sport Management Studies 10 (17), 137-157 , 2013 2013 Citations: 18
The relationship between leadership styles of coaches with coaching efficacy among elite Iranian judokas. M Ehsani, M Amiri, RNS Hossini 2012 Citations: 18
Identifying components and levels of knowledge-based economy in sport (A qualitative approach) M Amini, N Atghia, R Norouzi Seyed Hosseini Sport Management Studies 12 (60), 41-60 , 2020 2020 Citations: 17
The relationship between leadership styles of coaches with self-determination and burn-out of the Iranian elite female volleyball players S Zardoshtian, RNS Hossini, Y Mohammadzade International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2 … , 2012 2012 Citations: 16
A systematic review of sports-related studies on social media M Latififard, M Saffari, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini, M Bahrani Communication Research 27 (102), 151-169 , 2020 2020 Citations: 13
The challenges of educational sport in Iran: A review study M Mohayya, M Ehsani, M Saffari, R Norouzi Seyed Hossini Annals of Applied Sport Science 9 (4), 0-0 , 2021 2021 Citations: 11
Deigning a structural model for relationship between talent management, staff empowerment, and organizational effectiveness in sport and youth administrations in Tehran province R NOROUZI, R SEPAHVAND, K MOSAVI, F FATAHI HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN SPORT JOURNAL 5 (1), 49-65 , 2018 2018 Citations: 11
The corruption formation process in Iranian Football H Mansouri, SS Boroujerdi, G Dickson, RNS Hossini Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research 94 (1), 1-10 , 2022 2022 Citations: 10
Understanding the lived experiences of athlete elderly in COVID-19 pandemic in Tehran (A Phenomenological Approach) R Norouzi Seyed Hosseini Iranian Journal of Ageing 16 (1), 46-61 , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
Effects of quiet eye training on performance of bimanual coordination in children with DCD RNS Hosseini, E Norouzi, M Soleymani Iranian Journal of Child Neurology 15 (4), 43 , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
