Study Scopes in e-Sports Startups: A Systematic Review

Purpose: In recent years, the rapid growth of e-sports has led to the emergence of numerous startups that contribute to the expansion of the digital economy and sports innovation. The present study aims to conduct a systematic review of domestic and international research on e-sports startups.Methodology: Following the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review utilized a narrative synthesis approach. Comprehensive searches were conducted across major scientific databases for Persian and English articles on Esports startups published between ۲۰۱۶ and ۲۰۲۵. From an initial pool of ۲۶۳ identified articles, ۷۷ studies (۳۹ Persian, ۳۸ English) met the inclusion criteria after a rigorous screening process. Study quality was assessed using the CASP checklist, with strong inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s Kappa = ۰.۹۰۵). The selected articles were analyzed across structural, methodological, and thematic dimensions.Findings: Results revealed a significant increase in Esports startup research publications after ۲۰۲۰/۱۴۰۰. Quantitative (۱۳ Persian, ۱۱ English) and qualitative (۱۶ Persian, ۱۸ English) methods were most prevalent, alongside limited use of mixed-method designs. Commonly employed software tools included SPSS, AMOS, MAXQDA, and SMARTPLS. Thematic analysis indicated that Persian research largely focused on operational, managerial, and financial challenges, whereas English-language studies examined broader ecosystem issues such as policy support, employment, culture, and infrastructure. These differences reflected two distinct strategic research tiers—short-term operational and long-term systemic.Originality: The comparative analysis highlights that Persian studies emphasize immediate viability and business functionality, whereas English research prioritizes sustainability and socio-economic implications. Integrating these dual orientations provides a comprehensive framework that combines practical, short-term solutions with macro-level policymaking to support the sustainable development of Iran’s Esports startup ecosystem.

کلیدواژه ها:

Business Model ، Digital Ecosystem ، eSports ، Startups ، Systematic Review