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This study explores the factors that contribute to fan loyalty for a losing sports team, with a specific focus on the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League. The research aims to uncover the motives that influence fans’ unwavering support for a team that consistently underperforms.

A qualitative research design was utilized, involving semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of Karachi Kings fans. Data were analyzed using grounded theory principles to uncover key themes. This approach allowed for an in-depth understanding of the underlying psychological and sociocultural factors. Grounded theory was chosen to systematically generate insights from data, particularly because fan loyalty in current contexts remains underexplored.

The research identified five main themes that influence fan loyalty: identity integration, emotional attachment, cognitive coherence, behavioral consistency and social connectivity. Fans exhibited a strong psychological connection to the Karachi Kings, fueled by regional pride, shared experiences and a sense of community. The findings emphasize the importance of creating a strong fan community and nurturing emotional bonds through consistent engagement and shared experiences.

This study demonstrated how psychological and sociocultural factors combine to sustain support for a losing team. It broadens the understanding of sports fandom by emphasizing that fan loyalty extends beyond a team’s success or failure, being deeply rooted in identity, emotions and social connections. This research offers a nuanced view of fan behavior in a non-Western context and provides valuable insights for developing marketing strategies and fostering community engagement in sports management.

This study aims to provide a comprehensive, textometric analysis of the evolving Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) research, identifying key themes, emerging trends and critical research gaps in the field.

A total of 129 peer-reviewed articles on Q4.0 were analyzed using IRAMUTEQ software. The textometric approach employed includes lexicographic analysis, descending hierarchical classification, factorial correspondence analysis and similarity analysis to uncover underlying patterns in the literature.

Three major clusters emerged from the analysis of Q4.0 research: (1) the digital transformation of quality management practices, (2) technological enablers of Q4.0 and (3) organizational implications of Q4.0 adoption. Key themes identified include the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies (e.g. IoT, AI and big data) into traditional quality management systems, the role of artificial intelligence in quality control and the challenges organizations face during Q4.0 implementation. This research also conceptualizes a comprehensive framework that outlines a strategic roadmap for Q4.0 adoption and integration, including the identification of antecedents and consequences of Q4.0 implementation. Additionally, the study proposes a measurement scale for assessing the dimensions of Q4.0.

The research proposes valuable implications for practitioners and organizations seeking to implement Q4.0 strategies as well as for researchers in the field of digital transformation and quality management. The proposed conceptual framework serves as a practical guide for effectively navigating Q4.0 implementation in diverse organizational contexts.

This study presents an innovative approach by applying textometric analysis to the field of Q4.0, offering an objective, data-driven perspective on the existing literature. It identifies significant gaps in research and proposes future avenues for investigation. As one of the first studies to develop a conceptual framework for Q4.0, including its antecedents, consequences and a measurement scale, this research provides a foundational contribution to the growing body of knowledge on Q4.0.