نوع مقاله : علمی ـ پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دکترای گروه مدیریت ورزشی، دانشکدۀ علوم ورزشی و تندرستی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران.
2 گروه مدیریت ورزشی، دانشکده علوم ورزشی و تندرستی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Introduction
Despite growing academic interest in the digital self-presentation of sports celebrities, the literature remains fragmented. Existing studies often focus on discrete aspects of identity such as sponsorship disclosure (Browning & Sanderson, 2012; Hambrick et al., 2010), fan engagement (Frederick et al., 2012), or gender representation (Lebel & Danylchuk, 2012), lacking an integrative framework for understanding the broader processes of digital identity construction. Moreover, few studies combine insights from sport, culture, media, and identity theory to develop a coherent model. Addressing these gaps, this study conducts a meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the digital identity of sports celebrities. Through thematic synthesis, it analyzes findings from a diverse set of studies to develop an integrated conceptual framework. The process by which sports celebrities construct their identity on social media is a significant and underexplored topic. This research aims to examine the key factors that shape the digital self-construction of sports celebrities within social platforms.
Materials & Methods
This study employs a meta-synthesis approach to systematically analyze and integrate findings from previous research on the construction of digital identity among sports celebrities. Unlike traditional narrative reviews, meta-synthesis involves the interpretive integration of qualitative studies to generate new conceptual insights (Sandelowski & Barroso, 2007; Noblit & Hare, 1988). This method is particularly suited to the evolving and multidimensional nature of identity within mediated sports contexts, where individual studies often explore distinct yet interconnected aspects of self-presentation, branding, and symbolic representation of athletes. Given the complex, multilayered, and conceptual nature of the issue of "digital identity construction of athletes on social media," selecting a systematic meta-synthesis approach that provides both analytical coherence and meaningful interpretation was essential. Among various qualitative synthesis methodologies, the Sandelowski and Barroso (2007) method was chosen due to its seven-stage structure and its capability to transform qualitative study findings into high-level themes. This method facilitates comparative analysis across studies, conceptual classification at multiple levels, and the semantic reproduction of themes into a conceptual model.
Results & Discussion
The meta-synthesis revealed five overarching themes that encapsulate the multifaceted nature of digital identity construction among sport celebrities. These themes, grounded in the conceptual patterns and codes across the 51 included studies, illuminate how sport celebrities engage in self-representation, relational interaction, and symbolic negotiation in social media spaces. The findings of this meta-synthesis illuminate the strategic, situational, and symbolic nature of digital identity construction among sports celebrities. Rather than passive participants in a media system, athletes emerge as active agents who deliberately manage and perform their digital presence, crafting identities that are simultaneously authentic, heroic, lived, transitional, and culturally meaningful. These layered identities reflect complex intersections between the self, audience, platform affordances, and broader sociocultural discourses.
Conclusion
This meta-synthesis offers a nuanced and integrative understanding of how digital identities are constructed and performed by sports celebrities within the complex ecosystem of social media. By synthesizing qualitative insights from diverse studies, it reveals a multifaceted identity architecture comprising authentic, lived, heroic, transitional, and socially meaningful dimensions. These findings challenge reductive views of athlete self-presentation as mere marketing or image management. Instead, they emphasize the active agency of sports celebrities as cultural producers who navigate tensions between personal expression, commercial interests, and sociocultural expectations. The digital identities they construct are not static; rather, they are fluid, contextually grounded, and deeply embedded in broader cultural narratives. Theoretically, this study extends existing frameworks of digital identity and athlete branding by integrating cultural and symbolic dimensions often overlooked in quantitative or narrowly focused research. Practically, the findings provide valuable insights for sports managers, marketers, and communication professionals seeking authentic engagement with athletes and audiences in digital spaces.
کلیدواژهها English
