Modeling
Rahmatollah Gholipor; Seyed kamal Vaezi; Maysam Karimi
Abstract
IntroductionCyberloafing-employees’ use of internet-enabled devices for personal, non-work activities during paid working time-has become a pervasive issue in modern organizations. Although digital technologies facilitate communication and service delivery, they also enable off-task behaviors that ...
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IntroductionCyberloafing-employees’ use of internet-enabled devices for personal, non-work activities during paid working time-has become a pervasive issue in modern organizations. Although digital technologies facilitate communication and service delivery, they also enable off-task behaviors that may reduce productivity, disrupt workflows, and increase security risks. These concerns are particularly salient in public-sector organizations, where accountability, service continuity, and information integrity are critical to public value creation. In Iran, public organizations operate within a distinct socio-cultural and institutional context characterized by hierarchical governance structures, strong regulatory oversight, and uneven technological infrastructure. Such conditions shape both the antecedents of cyberloafing and the acceptability of managerial responses. Consequently, findings from private-sector or Western contexts cannot be directly generalized without contextual adaptation. This study aims to develop a context-sensitive model of cyberloafing in Iranian public organizations by identifying its key antecedents, feasible control mechanisms, and culturally appropriate preventive and mitigative strategies. Specifically, the research addresses three questions: (1) which individual, organizational, and technological factors contribute to cyberloafing; (2) which control mechanisms are perceived as effective, feasible, and ethically acceptable; and (3) which strategies can reduce cyberloafing while respecting employee privacy and organizational norms. By integrating behavioral and socio-technical perspectives, the study contributes both theoretical insight and practical guidance for public-sector managers and policymakers. MethodologyThis study adopted a qualitative, exploratory design using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling and included managers, HR professionals, organizational development experts, and applied psychologists working in Iranian public-sector institutions. In total, twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals affiliated with governmental organizations, public universities, and quasi-public bodies. Interviews explored three domains: patterns of off-task online behavior, existing control practices and policies, and recommended preventive or mitigative strategies aligned with local norms. Interviews lasted 45-75 minutes, were audio-recorded with informed consent, and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis followed the three-stage approach proposed by King and Horrocks. First, open coding was used to capture descriptive accounts. Second, related codes were clustered through axial coding to develop interpretive categories. Finally, higher-order themes were constructed to generate a coherent conceptual model encompassing antecedents, control mechanisms, and preventive strategies. Trustworthiness was enhanced through peer debriefing, member checking, reflexive memo-writing, and maintenance of an audit trail. Ethical principles-including confidentiality, anonymization, and voluntary participation-were strictly observed. FindingsThe analysis yielded three interrelated themes: antecedents of cyberloafing, control mechanisms and implementation challenges, and preventive and mitigative strategies. Antecedents of cyberloafing emerged from the interaction of individual, organizational, and technological factors. At the individual level, low intrinsic motivation, burnout, weak self-regulation, and generational digital habits encouraged short online “micro-breaks.” Organizational contributors included unclear job expectations, weak performance feedback, misaligned reward systems, and cultural tolerance of minor rule violations. Technological antecedents involved ubiquitous internet access, poor separation between work and personal use, and inefficient work systems that increased susceptibility to digital distractions. Control mechanisms and challenges ranged from restrictive technical measures (e.g., filtering and monitoring) to supportive tools (e.g., productivity dashboards and self-monitoring notifications). While restrictive approaches were seen as effective in the short term, they were widely criticized for undermining trust and provoking resistance. Key implementation challenges included privacy concerns, inaccurate monitoring data, administrative burden, and inconsistent enforcement. Preventive and mitigative strategies emphasized motivational and participatory approaches. Participants favored job redesign, transparent reward systems, digital literacy and stress-management training, and participatory policy development. Non-intrusive monitoring and aggregated feedback mechanisms were viewed as more acceptable and effective than punitive surveillance. Discussion and ConclusionThis study demonstrates that cyberloafing in Iranian public organizations is a socio-technical phenomenon shaped by individual motivations, organizational structures, and digital affordances. Approaches relying solely on surveillance and restriction risk eroding trust and may generate counterproductive behaviors. In contrast, strategies that combine participatory governance, motivational job design, and responsible technology use appear more sustainable. The findings support an integrative framework linking behavioral factors—such as motivation and self-regulation—with systems-level elements including leadership practices, job design, and IT infrastructure. Practically, the study proposes a phased approach involving diagnostic assessment, co-designed internet usage policies, pilot implementation of non-intrusive monitoring tools, and complementary interventions such as training and reward realignment. While limited by its qualitative design and contextual scope, this research provides a grounded foundation for future mixed-method and intervention-based studies. Overall, effective cyberloafing management in the public sector requires balanced, ethical, and context-sensitive strategies that protect both organizational performance and employee well-being.
Jafar Ahanghran; Yazdan Shirmohammadi; Mahmoud Karimi
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the application of big data and IoT analysis strategies to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in public organizations by considering the capabilities of big data analysis. This study evaluates data quality as a strategy for gaining a competitive advantage ...
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the application of big data and IoT analysis strategies to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in public organizations by considering the capabilities of big data analysis. This study evaluates data quality as a strategy for gaining a competitive advantage as interdisciplinary research while introducing the capabilities of big data analysis and the Internet of Things. In terms of philosophical foundations of research, this research is based on the paradigm of positivism, in terms of research approach, is quantitative, and in terms of research strategy, is part of survey research. Library and field resources were used in data collection. The statistical population of the research is unlimited and the statistical sample of this research includes 384 managers and specialists using random and convenience sampling methods from the statistical population of the research applying the Morgan table. To collect data in this study, a questionnaire was used, the validity of which was confirmed by experts as content validity using SPSS software, and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Also, fit indices and path analysis were evaluated using AMOS software. Research findings show that data quality should become part of the strategy to create value for government organizations. The ability to analyze big data also positively mediates the relationship between data quality and competitive advantage. On the other hand, strategic performance and financial management have a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage.
Pathology
Mohsen Rezaei; ali reza ali ahmadi; Mirzahasan Hoseini; mohamadtaghi Amini
Abstract
The aim of this research is to determine the influential factors on electronic marketing of commercial organizations for improving the quality of their activity in the cyberspace through presenting a scientific model which is aligned with the corporate strategies of the organizations. This research is ...
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The aim of this research is to determine the influential factors on electronic marketing of commercial organizations for improving the quality of their activity in the cyberspace through presenting a scientific model which is aligned with the corporate strategies of the organizations. This research is going to answer this question that being aligned the E-marketing plans with corporate strategies in online commercial organizations how much can culminate they to the success. In the research we use quality research methods including the systematic review for study and classification of the studies, meta-analysis for coding models and extracted parameters and the grounded theories for determining influential and required parameters for making a model using SPSS software. We use meta-synthesis method for finding the relations among elected parameters in creating a model and theorization in which we use the MICMAC software. The results of this research showed that the alignment between electronic marketing and corporate strategies of the organization is necessary. To achieve this goal we presented a model.
Causation
Ali Asghar Shirehpaz Arani; Mirza Hasan Hoseini; Mohammad Mahmoudi Meimand; Mohammad Taghi Amini
Volume 6, Issue 2 , April 2018, , Pages 59-78
Abstract
Environment is coalition of organizations that moves towards their goals by uncertain process of bargaining and reduce related demands. Because the power is one of the most important resources of every organization in society that must be effectively managed like any other resources. In addition, Strategic ...
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Environment is coalition of organizations that moves towards their goals by uncertain process of bargaining and reduce related demands. Because the power is one of the most important resources of every organization in society that must be effectively managed like any other resources. In addition, Strategic thinking is not only includes a system of strategies to achieve competitive advantage and value creation, but rather should be able to present the legitimacy of the strategy to justify the rightfulness of the organization's strategy through a process of political bargaining.This paper considers the components of legitimacy of the strategy. In the first step by studying models and approaches to strategic thinking and theories of power, the nine component of legitimacy strategies were identified and then with Delphi method and expert opinion, the six of component in three stages were selected.In the second step, the DEMATEL method to analyze and rank the cause and effect is used. Finally, according to analysis the result of the DEMATEL method, three components are known as Causality components: power supplies, incentive structure and Stakeholder expectations and game rules. The power, infiltration mechanism and engagement of stakeholders are shown as the factors of effected components
Hasan Darvish; Reza Rasooli; Hasan Mobaraki; Pirhosein Koolivand
Volume 1, Issue 4 , November 2013, , Pages 116-134
Abstract
Nowadays, organizations with the help of strategic planning seek to overcome environmental changes and turbulence and its orientation toward long-term goals to strengthen and stabilize. Khatamolanbia Hospital is one of the organizations in response to environmental changes systematic strategic planning ...
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Nowadays, organizations with the help of strategic planning seek to overcome environmental changes and turbulence and its orientation toward long-term goals to strengthen and stabilize. Khatamolanbia Hospital is one of the organizations in response to environmental changes systematic strategic planning model uses. The main research question aimed to identify practical activities in compliance with the above model is the hospital. In order to assess strategic planning of Khatamolanbia hospital, survey research method was used. For this purpose the sample of 103 managers and supervisors of the hospital according to Morgan used in this study were selected based on the 11 hypothesis was formulated, was at their disposal. Analyzing the responses were obtained with the help of PLS method, showed that the conceptual model of strategic planning Khatamolanbia Hospital in the operation of a high capacity to predict the behavior of the system, due to its planned objectives. In conclusion, given that the sum of hypotheses, three hypotheses were rejected, to manage Khatamolanbia Hospital was promoted to factors such as analysis of the external environment, emphasized the significance of hospital management and staff performance and feedback control and more emphasis should be given to them.
