The Impact of Good Governance on Organizational Bullying Phenomena with the Mediating Role of Human Dignity Management: A Study on Female Athletes in Iran's Track and Field League

Toosi, Maryam; Naghshbandi, Seyed Salahedin; Nasrabadi, Ahmad

doi:10.22089/rws.2025.17651.1051

The Impact of Good Governance on Organizational Bullying Phenomena with the Mediating Role of Human Dignity Management: A Study on Female Athletes in Iran's Track and Field League

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maryam toosi ¹

Seyed salahedin Naghshbandi ²

Ahmad Nasrabadi ³

¹ Master Sport Management, Science and research branch, Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran

² Associate professor of sport management department, science and research branch, Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran

³ Ph.D. student of sport management, science and research branch, Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran

10.22089/rws.2025.17651.1051

Abstract

Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
workplace bullying is a serious concern in organizational settings, causing severe psychological distress, sabotaging motivation, and negatively impacting both individual performance and overall collective effectiveness. Such practices are essentially based on structural imbalances of power and entrenched unethical behaviors, which not only endanger employee well-being but also hinder the long-term sustainability of organizations. In the case of sports organizations, where values of fairness, integrity, and cooperation are emphasized, bullying imposes especially devastating consequences on athletes' dignity and their level of performance. Recent literature designates good governance as an essential component of ethical organizational management, promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness as key prerequisites for sustainable growth. Meanwhile, dignity-based management has emerged as a critical mediator that ensures respect for employees' inherent value while supporting environments that are typified by fairness and mutual respect. In this regard, the present research investigates the association between good governance and organizational bullying, with a specific emphasis on the mediating role of dignity-based management among female athletes of Iran's national track and field league.
Methodology
The research was conducted using an applied, descriptive, and cross-sectional plan to examine the relationships between effective organizational governance, dignity-centered management, and workplace bullying in the context of sports organizations. The research population included 500 female athletes who were actively involved in Iran's national track and field league during the competition season. Based on a convenient random sampling method according to Morgan's sampling table, the final sample consisted of 187 athletes, thus ensuring sufficient representativeness of the target population. Data collection involved the administration of three validated and widely used questionnaires: the Good Governance Scale (Moqimi & Ramazan, 2011), the Dignity-Based Management Questionnaire (Rahnama et al., 2016), and the Organizational Bullying Inventory (Spilak & Holt, 2001). Reliability testing supported strong psychometric properties, as evidenced by Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability coefficients above the recommended minimum value of 0.70 for all measures, thus confirming internal consistency and measurement integrity. Statistical analyses were conducted in a two-stage process. In the initial stage, descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, and frequency distributions were calculated to describe the participants. At the second stage, inferential analysis was used through structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized relations between constructs. The SEM was run using SPSS and AMOS software, allowing close examination of both direct and indirect effects, including the mediating role of dignity-based management. For ensuring statistical reliability and theoretical consistency, model fit indices were examined. This methodological strategy provided a comprehensive basis for examining how good governance practices influence the prevalence of bullying behaviors, while clarifying the protective mediating role played by dignity-focused management practices within organizations for sportswomen.
Results
The findings of the structural equation modeling highlighted the central position of governance in influencing organizational climates in women's sports teams. Good governance had a significant and positive impact on dignity-based management, confirming that transparency, fairness, accountability, and stakeholder involvement are inherent in the development of conducive environments. In practical terms, these governance tools reflected better training conditions, fair access to resources, and greater acknowledgment of female athletes. In the specific domain of track and field sports, dignity-based management involved measures such as the establishment of inclusive training environments, consideration of physical and psychological athlete well-being, active removal of gender discrimination, and fair allocation of facilities and financial assistance. These actions cumulatively enhanced athletes' motivation, confidence, and competitive performance. Notably, the results identified that dignity-based management is a substantial mediator that, in fact, lessens the prevalence of organizational bullying significantly. Bullying actions such as intimidation, marginalization, and abuse of authority were considerably lower once managers applied dignity-based practices like open decision-making, confidential reporting systems, and ethics-based training programs. These actions fostered a culture of justice, reduced organizational tensions, and supported trust between athletes and management.
The study also illustrated that good governance directly had a negative impact on workplace bullying, in addition to its indirect effect through dignity-based management. The two pathways indicate a multi-layered mechanism: governance arrangements directly restricted unethical management actions while at the same time developing dignified organizational cultures that also inhibited bullying behavior. The collective results offer strong evidence that women athletes gain significantly from governance structures that combine both structural accountability and dignity-based values. These dynamics not only curbed problematic practices like bullying but also improved the overall organizational climate, leading to the long-term viability of women's sports. The findings strongly imply that sports clubs and federations need to prioritize the creation of governance codes and dignity-based structures that are specific to the needs of athletes. By advancing gender equity, promoting fair allocation of resources, and institutionalizing transparency, organizations can both prevent bullying and improve the overall development of women's sports in Iran.
Conclusion
This study provides significant evidence that good organizational governance serves as both a direct and indirect approach to reducing workplace bullying in women's sports organizations. Through the inclusion of transparency, equity, and accountability within decision-making processes, governance structures provide a foundation for ethical behavior and organizational trust. At the same time, dignity-based management supports this affiliation by fostering inclusive and respectful environments in which athletes feel safe, valued, and motivated. These dual pathways highlight that sustainable organizational development requires the pairing of strong governance structures with human-centered management practices. Within the Iranian context of women's sports, the integration of governance reforms and dignity-based practices represents a critical step toward reducing gender inequalities, improving athlete performance, and ensuring long-term institutional sustainability. The study recommends that sports organizations adopt tailored ethical codes, transparent financial reporting, and gender-sensitive monitoring systems in order to promote both organizational integrity and athlete well-being.
Keywords: Good Governance, Organizational Bullying, Dignity-Based Management, Track and Field Athletes.
Article message
This study emphasizes that the intersection of good governance and dignity-based management is critical in mitigating organizational bullying and enhancing the working environment of women's sport organizations. Governance frameworks that prioritize transparency, fairness, and accountability not only inhibit unethical practice but also uphold dignity-based cultures that facilitate motivation and equity among athletes. For policymakers and practitioners, the message is straightforward: the implementation of governance systems and dignity-based practices is not only an ethical obligation but also a strategic imperative for enhancing organizational sustainability and the contribution of women to sports.
Ethical Considerations All ethical standards and guidelines were rigorously followed throughout the study’s duration.
Authors’ Contributions
This article is the result of a collaborative study. Maryam Tosi, as first author and thesis student, initiated data gathering and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Seyed Salahedin Naghshbandi, corresponding author and supervisor, offered general supervision, critically evaluated, and finalized the article. Ahmad Nasrabadi acted as research colleague, assisting with writing, reviewing, and editing. All authors read and approved the final draft and are responsible for its validity and integrity.
Conflict of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest associated with this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors are deeply grateful to Dr. Seyed Salahedin Naghshbandi for his precious guidance and motivation throughout this research. Moreover, thanks are due to the professors and students at the Science and Research Branch for their valuable comments and help, which significantly enhanced the manuscript. Their inputs were essential in the successful completion of this work

Keywords

good governance

organizational bullying

dignity-based management

track and field athletes

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