Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Exploring the Impact of Entrepreneurial Actions on Strategic Flexibility and Agility in Iraqi Sports Startups

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Sports Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
10.22034/gahr.2026.587068.2782
Abstract
The dynamic and uncertain nature of emerging markets presents significant challenges for sports startups, necessitating the development of internal capabilities that enable rapid adaptation and long-term resilience. This research was conducted with the aim of explaining the effect of entrepreneurial actions on strategic flexibility and strategic agility of sports startups in Iraq. The present study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of method, based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of managers and employees of sports startups, and a sample of them was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through standard questionnaires of entrepreneurial actions, strategic flexibility, and strategic agility. The validity and reliability of the instruments were confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, and average variance extracted. Data analysis was performed using the partial least squares method and the corresponding software. The results showed that entrepreneurial actions have a positive and significant effect on strategic agility as well as on strategic flexibility. Overall, the findings indicate that the development of entrepreneurial capacities in order to institutionalize strategic flexibility and strategic agility can lead to strategic adaptation of sports startups.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 June 2026

  • Receive Date 16 June 2026
  • Revise Date 17 June 2026
  • Accept Date 20 June 2026