Identifying the dimensions of the cultural capacity building model with an emphasis on social aspects in the implementation of public policies in the Social Security Organization (from the perspective of experts and specialists)

Document Type : researcher

Authors
1 PhD student in Public Administration, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran (Corresponding Author)
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of of Mathematics, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran.
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/scm.2025.507239.1852
Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify the dimensions of the cultural capacity-building model with an emphasis on social aspects in the implementation of public policies within the Social Security Organization, using thematic analysis. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, being both developmental-applied in terms of purpose and survey-based in terms of nature and style. Data collection methods include a combination of library and field studies, with tools such as document reviews, interviews with experts, and questionnaires. The validity and reliability of the interviews were confirmed with an acceptable percentage. The research sample comprises 17 university professors, public policy experts, capacity-building specialists, and senior managers of the Social Security Organization. Purposeful sampling was used, and NVIVO version 11 software was employed for coding and analysis of interview data.

The results obtained from the open coding of qualitative data led to the extraction of 85 initial codes, 26 basic themes, and 9 organizing themes, which are as follows: "Approval of convergent and cohesive policies centered on organizational culture," "Political independence of the organization within a participatory culture framework," "Establishing social justice based on equality and transparency culture," "Smart social security in line with digital culture development," "Attention to environmental changes and cultural adaptation of the organization," "Reforming the culture of social security," "Belief in cultural transformation and innovation," "Networking within the organization centered on interaction and cooperation culture," and "Establishing a monitoring and feedback system based on organizational learning culture."
Keywords
Subjects

-Alvani, M., & Sholouiri, M. (2016). Public policy implementation: Theoretical perspectives and practical solutions (1st ed., p. 274). Tehran: Public Administration Training Center of the Presidency. [In Persian]
-Amiri, A. N., Zare, H., Danaeifard, H., & Bani Asad, R. (2023). Designing a model for policy‑making capacity in the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Majlis & Rahbord, 30(113), 57–100. [In Persian]
-Annan-Prah, E. C., & Andoh, R. P. (2023). Effects of customised capacity building on employee engagement, empowerment, and learning in Ghanaian local government institutions. Public Administration and Policy, 26(2), 228-241.
-Attride-Stirling, J. (2001). Thematic networks: an analytic tool for qualitative research. Qualitative research, 1(3), 385-405.
-Azmat, F., Ferdous, A. S., Wali, F., Muttakin, M. B., & Haque, M. Z. (2024). Does actors' engagement with capacity-building training programs enable delivery of SDG-aligned public services? The case of senior public officials. Journal of Service Theory and Practice.
-Boustan Zarr, J., Rahmanseresht, H., Sharifzadeh, F., & Taghavifard, M. T. (2022). A model for intelligent implementation of public policies in government organizations. Iranian Journal of Management Sciences, 17(65), 29–51. [In Persian]
-Capano, G., & Lepori, B. (2024). Designing policies that could work: understanding the interaction between policy design spaces and organizational responses in public sector. Policy Sciences, 57(1), 53-82.
-Dehbalaei, M., Memarzadeh Tehran, G. R., & Daneshfard, K. (2023). Key factors for evaluating the implementation of urban sustainable development policy within the framework of the Sixth Development Plan. Geographical Research Quarterly, 38(2), 161–170. [In Persian]
-Esmaeilpour, N., Mahmoudi, V., & Esmaeilpour, F. (2020). Investigating the state of social capacity building in urban neighborhoods and its relationship with participation in the regeneration of deteriorated textures (Case study: Fahadan neighborhood, Yazd). Journal of Urban and Regional Development Planning, 3(5), 143–181. [In Persian]
-Faliza, N., Asfahani, A., & Fahrizal, E. (2024). COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IN BUILDING SUSTAINABLE AND DIGNIFIED COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Community Development Journal: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat, 5(4), 1861-7868.
-General Policies of Social Security. (n.d.). Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center. Retrieved from https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/1747360 [In Persian]
-Geva-May, I., & Fontaine, G. (2024). Challenges of policy implementation and the comparative method. In Handbook of Public Policy Implementation (pp. 264-274). Edward Elgar Publishing.
-Ghaderi, Z., Fakhari, S., Shekari, F., & Saberi, M. (2024). Community capacity building and indigenous tourism in Iran. Anatolia, 1-16.
-Haag, M., Hurka, S., & Kaplaner, C. (2024). Policy complexity and implementation performance in the European Union. Regulation & Governance.
-Hashimy, S. Q., Jahromi, A., Hamza, M., Naaz, I., Nyamwero, N. B., & HT, B. (2023). Nurturing Leadership and Capacity Building for Success: Empowering Growth. International Journal of Rehabilitation & Special Education, 3(2).
-Holsti, O. R. (1969). Content analysis for the social sciences and humanities, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
-Imani, A. M., & Ahang, F. (2021). Community‑based development: Analysis of factors affecting the community‑based implementation of policies. Journal of Governance and Development, 1(3), 169–190. [In Persian]
-Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center (Social Studies Office). (2023). The social nature of the budget: A social analysis of the budgeting system in Iran 1403 (2024). Retrieved from https://rc.majlis.ir/fa [In Persian]
-Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center (Social Studies Office). (2023). Series of system analysis and simulation reports (1): Solutions for enhancing the sustainability of pension funds. Retrieved from https://rc.majlis.ir/fa [In Persian]
-Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center (Social Studies Office). (2022). Unsustainability of pension funds (2): Series of dynamics reports on the country’s challenges. Retrieved from https://rc.majlis.ir/fa [In Persian]
-Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center, Social Studies Office (Welfare and Social Security Group). (2024). Examining the state of the Civil Servants Pension Fund (challenges and solutions). Retrieved from https://rc.majlis.ir/fa [In Persian]
-Kaufmann, D., Kuenzler, J., & Sager, F. (2020). How (not) to design and implement a large-scale, interdisciplinary research infrastructure. Science and Public Policy, 47(6), 818–2.
-Knill, C., Steinebach, Y., & Zink, D. (2024). How policy growth affects policy implementation: bureaucratic overload and policy triage. Journal of European Public Policy, 31(2), 324-351.
-Lee, J. D., Meadan, H., Oyunbaatar, E., & Amar, A. (2024). Strategies for capacity building in a low-resource setting: Stakeholders’ voices. Autism, 28(1), 162-173.
-Limberg, J., Knill, C., & Steinebach, Y. (2022). Condemned to complexity? Growing state activity and complex policy systems. Governance. 10.1111/gove.12684
-Manouchehri Rad, R. (2020). Presenting a model for developing a specialized social security culture (Case study: Cross‑cultural relations between the government and the Social Security Organization of Iran). Social Security Quarterly, 15(3), 33–77. [In Persian]
-Rajabzadeh, A., Mortazavi, M., Doustar, M., & Akhondi, N. (2020). Development of a conceptual framework for organizational capacity building in higher education to respond to society’s expectations: A thematic analysis approach. Organizational Resource Management Research, 10(2), 45–73. [In Persian]
-Ranadewa, K. A. T. O., & Siriwardena, M. (2021). Enabling lean through human capacity building: an investigation of small and medium contractors. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 11(4), 594-610.
-Riazi, M. (2024). Examining financing and sustainability of insurance funds (with emphasis on the Social Security Organization). Social Security Organization Quarterly, 20(3), 13–40. [In Persian]
-Sager, F., Mavrot, C., & Keiser, L. R. (Eds.). (2024). Handbook of Public Policy Implementation. Edward Elgar Publishing.
-Salehi Nozar, A., Yaghoubi, N., & Keykha, A. (2021). Capacity building of local communities in community‑based crisis management: Investigating the role of cultural factors. Crisis Management, 10(2), 57–69. [In Persian]
-Shahsavari Ghoogheri, E., Ziaedini, M., Haddavi Nejad, M., & Tabali, H. (2023). A model for enhancing the implementation capacity of safety, health and environment policies in industries and mines (Case study: Industries and mines of Kerman province). Public Policy Making in Management, 14(49), 53–73. [In Persian]
-Shaidpour, A., & Aghasi, S. (2011). Cultural capacity building: A key factor for cultural‑political development. Political and International Research, 3(9), 131–139. [In Persian]
-Soleimani, A., Pourezzat, A. A., & Esmaeili Givi, M. R. (2020). Identifying key factors influencing the future policies of the Social Security Organization of Iran. Iranian Journal of Futures Studies, 9, 148–172. [In Persian]
-Suh, H. & Yang, J. (2021). Global uncertainty and Global Economic Policy Uncertainty: Different implications for firm investment. Economics Letters, 200, 109767.
-Supramaniam, M., Di Masso, M., & García Sastre, A. (2011). Lessons learnt and challenges with regard to social capacity building: Heat-related hazards–droughts, forest fires and heat waves in Southern Europe. CapHaz-Net WP7 Report. Institute for Environmental Sciences and Technology (ICTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain (available at: http://caphaznet. org/outcomes-results/CapHaz-Net_WP7_Report. pdf).
-Taormina, R. M., Massey, T., Walker-Egea, C., Sowell, C., Rigg, K. K., Simmons, C., & Tran, Q. (2023). Building capacity to create community change (BC4): A model to support successful program planning and implementation. Evaluation and Program Planning, 97, 102225.
-The Budget Law of the Whole Country for the Year 1403 (2024). (n.d.). National Database of Laws and Regulations. Retrieved from https://dotic.ir/news [In Persian]
-The Seventh Development Plan Law of the Country. (n.d.). National System of Laws and Regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Retrieved from https://qavanin.ir/Law/TreeText/?IDS=15033449572675229448 [In Persian]
-Thomann, E., van Engen, N., & Tummers, L. (2018). The necessity of discretion: A behavioral evaluation of bottom-up implementation theory. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory,28(4), 583–601.
-Vahedi, M. (2020). Capacity building. Encyclopedia of Applied Scientific Training. [In Persian]
Volume 14, Issue 57
Winter 2026
Pages 367-406

  • Receive Date 17 February 2025
  • Revise Date 05 November 2025
  • Accept Date 21 November 2025