Developing a Public Policy Model for IT-Based Education in Municipalities of Iranian Metropolises: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
public policymaking, IT-based education, employee participation, qualitative studyAbstract
This study aims to design a public policy model for information technology-based education in the municipalities of Iranian metropolises using a qualitative research approach and grounded theory methodology. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 academic elites and senior managers and were analyzed until theoretical saturation was achieved. The coding process included three stages: open, axial, and selective coding, ultimately leading to the extraction of six main categories and 106 subcategories. The findings revealed that employee participation, a participatory organizational culture, transparency in actions, and the development of cultural-educational programs are among the key factors in formulating effective policies. Furthermore, legal and environmental barriers—such as economic challenges and the absence of feedback mechanisms—exert a significant influence on the policy-making process. The proposed strategies were formulated across three levels: short-term (motivational and behavioral), mid-term (research-based and social), and long-term (cultural and legal). The results emphasize that aligning educational programs with organizational needs and strengthening management information systems plays a fundamental role in enhancing the quality of IT-based educational policymaking. By presenting a localized model, this study offers a practical framework for urban policymakers to optimize educational processes.
Downloads
References
Ahmadi Nik, H., & Taheri Goodarzi, H. (2017). Decision-Making and Determining Public Policies. The 4th International Conference and the 1st National Conference on Modern Research in Iran and the World in Management, Economics, Accounting, and Humanities, https://en.civilica.com/doc/675129/
Angazi Ghods, A., Givarian, H., & Daneshfard, K. (2022). Designing a Science and Technology Policy Model Based on Enhancing Employee Participation in Knowledge-Based Organizations. Iranian Journal of Management Sciences Association, 17(68). https://journal.iams.ir/article_390.html?lang=en
Arnaboldi, M., & Azzone, G. (2020). Data Science in the Design of Public Policies: Dispelling the Obscurity in Matching Policy Demand and Data Offer. Public Policy Studies, 6(6), e04300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04300
Arvand, H., & Vahedi, M. (2016). The Role of Information Systems in the Decision-Making and Public Policy Process. International Conference on Modern Management in the Horizon of 2025, https://en.civilica.com/doc/550210/
Asgarzadeh, M. (2020). The Role of Influential Groups in Public Policy-Making. Culture and Administrative Behavior(6), 30-33.
Cairney, P. (2021). The Politics of Policy Design. EURO Journal on Decision Processes, 9, 100002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejdp.2021.100002
Chandoev, W., & Wasic, W. N. (2021). Incorporating Discrete Choice Experiments into Policy Decisions: Case of Designing Public Long-Term Care Insurance. Social Science & Medicine, 258, 113044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113044
Danaee Fard, H., & Alvani, S. M. (2012). Topics in Public Administration. Scientific and Cultural Publications Tehran.
Deng, L., Tan, C., Zhang, F., & Wong, W. S. (2021). Joint Design of Control Policy and Network Scheduling Policy for Wireless Networked Control Systems: Theory and Application. Information Sciences, 575, 563-586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2021.06.023
Ebrahimian, M., Hajiyeh Rajabi, F., & Kordlouei, H. R. (2022). Designing an Implementation Model for Entrepreneurial University Policies Based on Science and Technology Policies. 13(47). https://www.magiran.com/paper/2513568/designing-the-policy-implementation-model-of-the-entrepreneurial-university-based-on-science-and-technology-policies?lang=en
Eriksson, T., Robertson, J., & Näppä, A. (2025). Functional top management teams and marketing organization: exploring strategic decision-making. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 33(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2020.1765410
Gheisari, F., Salajegheh, S., Bigzadeh Abbasi, F., & Sheikhi, A. (2019). Identifying Key Actors in Public Policy Formulation Affecting the Implementation of Administrative Health Policies. Journal of Strategic Management Studies(38). https://sid.ir/paper/181531/en
Kaplan, L., Farooque, M., Sarewitz, D., & Tomblin, D. (2022). Designing Participatory Technology Assessments: A Reflexive Method for Advancing the Public Role in Science Policy Decision-Making. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 171, 120974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120974
Moslemi, N., Hamidizadeh, A., & Khanifar, H. (2021). Presenting an Educational Policy-Making Model Based on the Behavioral Approach in Vocational Training in Iran: A Qualitative Study. Educational and School Studies, 10(3), 28. https://pma.cfu.ac.ir/article_1892.html?lang=en
Nowduri, S. (2011). Management Information Systems and Business Decision Making. Journal of Business Management. https://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/10736.pdf
Ochuba, N. A., Amoo, O. O., Okafor, E. S., Usman, F. O., & Akinrinola, O. (2024). Conceptual development and financial analytics for strategic decision-making in telecommunications, focusing on assessing investment opportunities and managing risks in satellite projects. International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship Research, 6(3), 594-607. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i3.847
Parsakia, K., Kazemi, S., & Saberi, S. (2023). Strategic Management of Technology in Psychology: Implications for Decision-Making. Health Nexus, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.hn.1.3.12
Sadegh Ghaderi, M., & Zarei Zavaraki, E. (2022). Designing a Science and Technology Policy Model Based on Enhancing Employee Participation. Journal of Modern Research in Iran and the World in Management, 2(5), 72-99.
Sharma, R. (2025). Corporate Governance and AI Ethics: A Strategic Framework for Ethical Decision-Making in Business. Journal of Information Systems Engineering & Management, 10(30s), 61-69. https://doi.org/10.52783/jisem.v10i30s.4775
Shepherd, N., Lou, B., & Rudd, J. (2024). Going with the gut: Exploring top management team intuition in strategic decision-making. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296324002443
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rahman Moloudpornia (Author); Nima Ranji Jafroudi (Corresponding author); Pouran sourati (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.