Purpose:
Administrative system reform, due to its crucial role in national development, has been a topic of significant attention in Iran in recent years. However, the planning and initiatives related to administrative system reform have not been very successful and have consistently faced many challenges and obstacles during implementation. The aim of this research is to identify the facilitators and drivers of administrative system reform to support the execution of reform programs and accelerate their progress.
Design/methodology/approach:
This study is applied-developmental in nature, and to determine the facilitators and drivers of administrative system reform, in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 experts in administrative transformation. The sampling method for the interviews was non-random and purposive, using a snowball sampling approach. The interviews were analyzed using an inductive approach and qualitative content analysis, with coding applied to the data.
Findings:
Ultimately, 15 sub-categories were extracted under four main categories: facilitators of the administrative system, facilitators of the political system, facilitators of the economic system, and facilitators of the social system. These were proposed as the facilitators and drivers of administrative reform. The application and use of the facilitators and drivers identified from the experts' perspectives—each originating from different administrative, political, economic, and social systems—can significantly contribute to the faster and more successful implementation of administrative system reforms.
Research limitations:
In the present study, efforts were made to identify barriers to administrative reform through interviews with experts, and thereby determine facilitators and drivers of administrative reform. A total of 26 academic and executive experts participated in the interviews. However, akin to many qualitative studies, despite the researchers' extensive efforts, it was not possible to interview some of the experts. Therefore, this can be considered a limitation of the research.
Practical implications:
The facilitators of the administrative system address topics for a rational and reasonable design of administrative reform programs and actions to be taken during the implementation of reforms in the administrative system. In terms of reasonable design, attention is paid to gradual changes and the use of the experience and knowledge of academic experts (which is somewhat overlooked in the country). Additionally, the implementation phase facilitators cover topics such as "changing inappropriate rules and regulations," "capacity building and financial resource provision," "creating a strong, committed oversight board and professional team responsible for administrative reforms," "initiating a performance evaluation movement," "top management commitment to implementing reforms," "motivation architecture," and "employee training and cultural development for administrative reforms."
Regarding the facilitators of the political system, topics such as reforms in the House of Representatives, which significantly impact administrative system performance, and the creation of core values such as justice and the common good in the political system are addressed because the political system has a direct impact on the administrative system, and establishing these values in the political system leads to the emergence of the same values in the administrative system. Additional topics include political support, defining the precise relationship between the political system and the administration and clarifying their respective positions, creating major political currents, forming political crises, and improving relations with other countries as facilitators and drivers of administrative reform.
In the economic system facilitators and drivers category, issues such as strengthening the private sector, addressing tax-related problems, the emergence of economic crises, and resolving economic system issues before administrative reform are highlighted by experts because they consider a weak economic system a significant barrier to rationalizing government size and view the flaws in the country's tax system and the government's reliance on oil as reasons for poor budget management and fiscal challenges.
Regarding the social system facilitators, the study focuses on two main topics: consensus and social discourse for administrative reforms within society and social maturity for demanding reforms. Social maturity is achieved through public awareness by scholars and experts and tangible visualization of a desirable future administrative system, which is a crucial driver for pursuing administrative reforms.
Originality/value:
This research can assist policymakers in drafting and implementing effective policies to enhance the administrative and governance system. While numerous studies have suggested administrative reforms, this research delves into the reasons why these reforms have not been implemented so far and identifies the facilitators that could ensure their successful execution. By emphasizing the experience and knowledge of local experts, this study introduces practical facilitators that can be implemented in the country, considering its cultural, economic, and political context.