Employees Typology Based on the Efficiency in the Public Sector: A Classic Grounded Theory Approach

Retaining efficient staff and dealing with inefficiency as one of the most important goals of human resource management is necessary for the success of the organization. But in previous researches, less research has comprehensively and coherently addressed the typology of human resources in terms of efficiency and the most important purpose of this study is to theorize about efficient and inefficient employees and their typology in the public sector. Classic (Glaserian) Grounded Theory methodological principles were used in this study in relation to the use of literature, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, and theory development. Data were mainly collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviewees were 17 water industry managers in Isfahan province. Findings from interviews analysis and coding in two stages of substantive coding and theoretical coding showed that employees in public organizations can be classified into four types: Proactive employees, Reactive employees, Procrastinator employees and Disobedient employees. Then the characteristics of each type are described. This study presents a new theory on the typology of human resources in public organizations. Identifying human resources in each of the above categories will help in their effective management.