https://gd.usb.ac.ir/ Governance and Development en daily 1 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9819.html Objective: Identifying the components of managers’ cognitive coaching and examining its impact on employees’ prosocial behavior: Explaining cognitive coaching as a human resource governance mechanism and a driver of development-oriented capacity in public service organizations.Research Philosophy and Methodology: The philosophical foundation of the research is pragmatism, and the overall approach is mixed‑method. The qualitative phase of the study follows a phenomenological strategy. Data were collected through semi‑structured interviews with 18 company employees who had obtained a cognitive competency assessment score above 60 percent at the Talent Assessment Center, and whose managers also had an average cognitive competency score above 60 percent. Sampling was conducted using a purposeful judgmental sampling technique. Data were analyzed according to Colaizzi’s phenomenological method with the aid of MAXQDA software. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population consisted of technical and operational employees possessing at least a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of work experience. Out of a total population of 200 employees, a sample size of 127 participants was determined using the Morgan table, and sampling was carried out randomly. To test the hypotheses, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method. The data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software packages.Validity and Reliability: Content validity was assessed and confirmed by academic experts and specialists. Construct validity, including convergent and discriminant validity, was evaluated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability of the measurement instruments was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha, Composite Reliability (CR), and internal consistency reliability.Findings: The qualitative findings led to the identification of four main components and twenty‑one sub‑components of cognitive coaching, encompassing cognitive skills, motivation and inspiration, individual and team empowerment, and emotional intelligence. The quantitative results revealed a positive and significant relationship between cognitive coaching and employees’ prosocial behavior in the company.Conclusion: The findings suggest that cognitive coaching goes beyond a managerial intervention and can serve as a core element of a development-oriented governance framework in public and semi-public organizations, contributing significantly to human capital development and the promotion of responsible and prosocial employee behaviors. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9820.html Objective: Patronage as a procedure and strategy derived from incorrect politicization and in fact one of the forms of political corruption in organizations. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying employees' perceptions of this phenomenon to achieve in-depth knowledge.Method: In this study, Zaltman's metaphor elicitation technique (ZMET) was employed as the research method. Fourteen employees of the organization were selected using purposeful concept sampling, focusing on individuals who were more likely to possess in-depth, experience-based insights into the phenomenon of patronage. The sample size was determined based on the principle of data saturation, where no new themes or concepts emerged after the 12th interview, and two additional interviews were conducted to confirm saturation. Although the sample size may limit statistical generalisability, it is considered sufficient for qualitative depth and conceptual richness, which are the primary goals of metaphor-based interpretive studies. Participants were asked to bring images that they believed represented the meaning of patronage. During the interview sessions, questions were asked about these images, and the responses were analysed to extract underlying concepts. To ensure validity and reliability, external peer review and participant validation (member checking) were conducted and confirmed.Results: Review and analysis of the results indicated 12 concepts, which in order of frequency were: "the marginalization of organizational goals", "decreased job satisfaction and organizational commitment", "strengthening unhealthy intra-organizational networks", "fear of sponsors in attracting and promoting competent individuals in the organization", "predominance of materialistic view of external phenomena and individual self-interest", "valuing flattering activities among managers (organizational narcissism)", "the phenomenon of cronyism and nepotism", "the marginalization of transparency in the appointment process and mechanisms", "deepening of selection policies based on political intrigues", "tolerance towards administrative corruption", "weakness of expertise among managers", "tendency for high power of sponsors (with organizationally contaminated behaviors)" were identified as mental map structures, and drawing the cause-and-effect relationships between them based on interviews conducted and the opinions of subject matter experts led to the completion of the mental map as the final product of the process.Conclusions: According to the findings, it can be concluded that patronage is one of the problems in the organization that can be prevented by using organizational strategies and creating integrated regulations. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9818.html This article, drawing on historical studies and social policy analysis, explores the transformation of the relationship between the state and the family in Western societies. In the pre-industrial era, families were primarily governed through kinship networks and religious institutions, with minimal state intervention. The onset of the Industrial Revolution and subsequent socio-economic shifts disrupted traditional family structures and led states to develop welfare-oriented systems with broader support for families. In the post-World War II decades, the expansion of social services and citizenship rights reflected a belief in public responsibility for family well-being and security.With the rise of neoliberalism, state interventions declined, and the privatization of welfare services increasingly cast families as autonomous economic actors. In today’s era of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, families face novel challenges and opportunities. These developments necessitate state engagement as a regulator and facilitator, designing policies that uphold individual rights, social justice, and institutional sustainability.Through a comparative review of historical family laws and policies, this study shows that although the scope and intensity of state intervention have varied with social change, the legitimacy of state involvement in the private sphere of family life continues to rest on the protection of fundamental rights, the reduction of inequalities, and the reinforcement of social cohesion. The article concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for family policies that are digital-ready, rights-based, and flexible—empowering families to remain resilient and capable in the face of modern opportunities and risks. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9821.html Sustainable development, as a global strategic objective, requires harmonization between economic growth, environmental protection, and social justice. In Iran, challenges such as heavy reliance on natural resources, institutional weaknesses, and environmental issues complicate achieving this goal. This study investigates the impact of economic governance on sustainable progress in Iran, focusing on the mediating role of environmental policies and natural resource management. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 241 experts in economics, environmental studies, and natural resources. Analyses were conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR). The results revealed that economic governance has a significant positive effect on sustainable progress. Environmental policies and natural resource management, acting as mediators, strengthen this relationship. Quantile regression analysis indicated that these effects are stronger in regions with higher development levels. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating environmental policies and natural resource management within the framework of economic governance to achieve sustainable progress in Iran. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9781.html Retention in Iran’s health system within the framework of the Seventh Development Plan. Given the critical importance of human resources in the sustainability and effectiveness of health systems, this research adopts a foresight and scenario-based approach to identify key drivers, uncertainties, and possible future pathways for human capital management in the Iranian health sector. The research method combines structural analysis and scenario planning. Initially, through a literature review, analysis of upstream policy documents, and semi-structured expert interviews, 80 trends and key drivers related to human resource retention were identified. Subsequently, using MICMAC software, the mutual influences and causal relationships among variables were analyzed, resulting in the identification of 10 critical uncertainties. For each uncertainty, three possible states (optimistic, status quo, and pessimistic) were defined. Scenario Wizard software was then employed to generate 12 plausible future scenarios. These scenarios were clustered and analyzed based on two axes: probability and impact. The results revealed four main scenario clusters: desirable and likely scenarios, desirable but unlikely scenarios, critical and probable scenarios, and unstable scenarios. Based on the cluster analysis, appropriate policy strategies were proposed in areas such as health diplomacy, payment system reform, enhancement of professional motivation, and the development of health information infrastructure. The findings of this research provide a foundation for developing a national roadmap for the retention of human resources in the health sector and increasing the system's resilience to future challenges. Ultimately, the foresight-based approach of this study offers strategic decision-making opportunities at the macro level. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9671.html Objective: “Given the accelerating pace of technology and the widespread expansion of information technology in all areas, the digitalization of society has become a priority for most governments. In fact, each government, in pursuit of its growth and development, inevitably needs to follow this path. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to propose a model of digital governance in Iranian public sector organizationsMethods: This research is applied-developmental in terms of its objective and, due to its nature, employs a qualitative meta-synthesis method based on the seven-step approach of Sandelowski and Barroso (2007) for data collection. Relevant articles published between 2020 and 2025 were reviewed from electronic databases such as Emerald, ScienceDirect, Springer, Magiran, Noormags, and SID (Scientific Information Database).Through the meta-synthesis method, while considering all dimensions of digital governance in an integrated manner, the indicators identified by researchers as effective in the implementation of such governance were extracted.Results: The findings of the study indicate that the establishment of digital governance requires electronic information dissemination, electronic participation, online services, a legal framework, a governmental vision for ICT, and the effective use of ICT by the government. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9827.html Objective: This study investigates the impact of innovation on sustainable development in Iran, emphasizing the mediating role of information and communication technology (ICT) in contemporary society.Methods: The research adopted a descriptive–analytical approach with an applied orientation. Data were collected through library research and researcher‑designed questionnaire distributed online to reduce human error and increase participation. A quota sampling method was used five major Iranian cities: Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Shiraz. Electronic distribution enabled broader access and efficient response management. The study examined the relationship between innovation, ICT, and sustainable development within Iranian organizations. Data were obtained from 310 managers and senior administrative experts in public and private sectors. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart‑PLS software was applied to test the proposed relationships.Results: The findings indicate that innovation through ICT has a strong effect on the economic dimension of sustainable development (f² = 0.588). The effect of innovation on the environmental dimension is moderate (f² = 0.316), while its effect on the social dimension is relatively weak (f² = 0.215). The coefficient of determination (R²) for the relationship between innovation and ICT was 0.715, indicating that the model explains 71.5% of the variance in ICT. Moreover, the indirect effects of innovation through ICT on the economic and environmental dimensions were 0.156 and 0.217, showing full mediation, while indirect effect on the social dimension was 0.153, indicating partial mediation.Conclusions: The results confirm that ICT plays a crucial mediating role between innovation and sustainable development, particularly strengthening environmental sustainability outcomes. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9822.html Objective: Therefore, this research is designed with a dual objective: first, to identify ‎key policy ‎requirements for facilitating and developing entrepreneurship in the ‎strategic knowledge-based seed industry, and second, to ‎present a new theory ‎capable of explaining the unique dynamics and mechanisms of this ecosystem. ‎Methods:In terms of purpose, it is an applied study, and in terms of method, it is ‎descriptive-analytical, falling within the framework ‎of qualitative research. ‎Accordingly, after ‎searching in reputable databases using relevant keywords, 159 ‎initial articles from 2014 to 2025 were extracted. After ‎reviewing and evaluating the ‎articles, 30 articles that had the highest relevance in terms of title, abstract, content, ‎and quality ‎to the research topic were selected. Then, using the seven-step model by ‎Sandelowski and Barroso, the findings of the 30 ‎articles were studied, integrated, ‎and interpreted. ‎Results: The findings of this study indicate that the extracted codes were organized ‎into seven main concepts and presented in two core categories. Policy requirements ‎are organized into the two core categories of "Infrastructural and Support ‎Requirements" and "Relational and Market-oriented Requirements." Infrastructural ‎requirements include financial and investment support, ... . In contrast, relational and ‎market-oriented requirements encompass market and value chain development, ... . ‎Conclusions: Entrepreneurship development in Iran's knowledge-based seed ‎industry, as a key factor in food security and economic ‎development, requires the ‎formulation of integrated and multi-dimensional ecosystem-based policies. The ‎theory proposed in this research is named the "Two-Domain Ecosystem Theory for ‎Entrepreneurship Development in the Knowledge-Based Seed Industry."‎ https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9374.html The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive foresight model aimed at enhancing the competencies of Generation Z within the human resources system of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. With the emergence of Generation Z in the workforce, government organizations face new challenges in aligning strategic human capital development with the expectations, values, and capabilities of this generation. The research intends to identify and structure the essential competencies required for effective performance in future public service roles, enabling more adaptive and future-oriented human resource strategies.Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach consisting of both qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, the statistical population included senior managers, consultants, and policy experts within the Ministry of Science, selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques to target individuals with deep knowledge and experience in human capital development and foresight planning. The sample size was determined based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using inductive content analysis with open and axial coding to extract key themes and constructs.In the quantitative phase, the statistical population included all managers, faculty members, and administrative staff at the central administration of the Ministry. A sample of 384 participants was selected using Cochran’s formula.Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and inferential statistical techniques to validate the model and examine the relationships among identified variables.Results: The findings of the study resulted in the identification of six core competencies critical to developing Generation Z human resources: innovation and creativity, communication skills, technological proficiency, cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, and continuous learning. These competencies reflect both the evolving demands of public sector work and the unique characteristics of Generation Z employees, who are digital natives, socially conscious, and value-driven.the validated model offers an integrated framework that links foresight principles with competency-based human resource development tailored to generational attributes.Conclusions: The foresight model developed in this study provides strategic insight into the future development of human capital within the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. By anticipating the professional needs and behavioral tendencies of Generation Z, the model equips policymakers and HR professionals with actionable guidelines for designing educational, training, https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9571.html Purpose: Provision of public interests indicates the extent to which the institutions of a society provide and realize the goals and interests of its members. Public interest provision is the elixir of development and administrative system – one of three key institutions in a country’s development. Hence, this paper aims to discuss the impact of administrative culture and regulatory quality on public interest provisionMethodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-cross sectional survey in terms of data collection method. Data were gathered through a questionnaires distributed among 166 individuals acting as informants of a statistical population of executive and middle managers in Iranian administrative system.Research Findings: Administrative culture and the quality of laws and regulations directly affect the provision of public interests in the administrative system. In addition, administrative culture indirectly affects the provision of public interests Limitations & Consequences: The limitation of the valid background of measuring the provision of public interests and the time-consuming nature of attracting the participation of top, Practical Consequences: Explaining the impact of administrative culture and the quality of laws and regulations on providing public interests in the country's administrative system and strengthening the development policy of the country's administrative system.Innovation or value of the Article: Explaining the provision of public interests in the administrative system by using the theories of modern institutionalism, designing the criteria for providing public interests and highlighting the role of administrative culture in the development  https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9608.html Background and purpose: The rapid growth of digital transformation and the increasing need for accountability and flexibility in the public sector have revealed the inefficiency of traditional governance paradigms and highlighted the necessity of moving towards agile governance. In Iran, despite strategic documents emphasizing agility and the realization of a smart government, developing a native and operational model for prioritizing agile governance capabilities aligned with the requirements of digital transformation seems essential. The present study aims to identify and strategically prioritize agile governance capabilities to support digital transformation in the Iranian public sector. Methodology: This study is applied in purpose and employs an exploratory-applied mixed-methods research design. Initially, through literature review and gathering expert opinions using the Fuzzy Delphi method, 19 agile governance components and 8 digital transformation components were identified and confirmed. Subsequently, the relationships between these agile governance components and digital transformation requirements were analyzed and prioritized using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method. Findings: The key finding is the presentation of an analytical and ranked model of agile governance capabilities. Results indicated that foundational and human-centric capabilities, including competent, stable, and transformational leadership; skilled, adaptable, and innovative human resources; feedback mechanisms; empowered and self organizing teams; and a culture of change acceptance held the highest priority in fulfilling digital transformation requirements. Conclusion: By identifying agile governance components and determining their priorities, this study provides an analytical model that can assist managers and policymakers in designing agile governance roadmaps and optimally allocating resources for the digital transformation journey. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9631.html Numerous studies and research have been conducted on participatory urban governance in Iran; however, there is no comprehensive understanding of the specific thematic areas these studies have focused on, their methodological approaches, or the research gaps in the field of participatory urban governance within the Iranian context. Therefore, this study aims to address these questions. To this end, 32 studies published in five reputable domestic databases were reviewed using a scoping review methodology. The findings revealed that the majority of articles were published in 2016 and 2023. Additionally, most studies (14 articles) focused on the city of Tehran. Furthermore, a significant portion of the articles aimed to design models for citizen participation in urban management (7 studies) and assess the level of citizen participation in urban management (5 articles). An examination of the areas of citizen participation in the selected studies indicated that most research was conducted in the general domain without focusing on a specific urban management function (26 studies). Moreover, the majority of studies employed quantitative methods (19 studies), while qualitative (10 studies) and mixed-methods approaches (2 studies) were less common. Consequently, the findings highlight theoretical gaps (such as the intersection of participatory cities and digital governance, participatory cities and data governance, and co-creation and participatory urban governance) and methodological gaps (such as qualitative studies emphasizing case study strategy) in the reviewed research. https://gd.usb.ac.ir/article_9651.html This research examines the influence of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on empowering women residing in the marginalized urban area of Shirabad, Zahedan. The study utilizes a blended theoretical framework drawing from Kabeer and Foucault. A survey methodology was employed, collecting data through a researcher-designed questionnaire from women over 15 years old in Shirabad who received services from local NGOs. A sample size of 366 individuals was determined using the Cochran formula and selected by cluster sampling. Data analysis using SPSS 21 revealed significant relationships between trust in NGOs, economic support, and educational services with the empowerment of women in this area. Among the services provided by NGOs, economic services showed the strongest correlation with both economic and social empowerment, emphasizing the importance of access to economic opportunities, training, and financial support for women's entrepreneurship and social participation. No significant correlation was found between health services and women's empowerment. Overall, NGO activities across various dimensions explained 28% of the total variance in women's empowerment in Shirabad. This finding suggests that the presence and diverse service provision of NGOs in marginalized urban areas are highly important for the empowerment of women and other residents. The study concludes that NGO engagement and service delivery significantly contribute to the empowerment of women and marginalized communities in these areas.