احمد شعبانی

The natural gas industry, as a fundamental pillar of energy security and a driver of economic development, requires contractual efficient, transparent, and sustainable frameworks, capable of responding to the complex requirements of international energy trade. Although, traditional gas export contracts have, over recent decades, played a substantial role in regulating trade relations among states and international companies, they face limitations such as complexity of implementation processes, lengthy dispute resolution processes, lack of sufficient data transparency, and the difficulty of adapting to abrupt market changes. Adopting a comparative – analytical approach, this study examines and contrasts the provisions of traditional gas export contracts with a redesigned model of smart contracts underpinned by emerging technologies. For this purpose, a representative Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) was selected and its clauses were compared, on a one-to-one basis, with those of the proposed smart contract model, the structural differences and advantages of the two approaches in legal, technical, and operational dimensions were identified and analyzed. The findings reveal that the use of smart contracts can significantly enhance transparency, settlement speed, real-time monitoring capabilities, and self-executing mechanisms, while reducing operational and legal risks. Furthermore, the results indicate that the convergence of economic and legal objectives within the framework of smart contracts provides a considerable capacity for achieving sustainable development indicators in the natural gas industry. Accordingly, specific policy recommendations are proposed for regulatory bodies and companies engaged in gas export to facilitate the transition from traditional contracts to smart contractual structures with minimal institutional friction and maximum operational efficiency.

The present study focuses on analyzing and revisiting Wilson’s models of information-seeking behavior from psychological and cognitive perspectives. Despite the significance of Wilson’s models in explaining information-seeking behavior, previous investigations reveal that cognitive and psychological components have been addressed in a dispersed and unsystematic manner. Accordingly, this study seeks to elucidate the role and position of psychological and cognitive components -in light of theories from these fields- within the structure of Wilson's models.

The research is applied in purpose and qualitative in terms of approach and is a conceptual article. In order to collect data, a library method was used by referring to scientific sources and articles related to Wilson's information-seeking behavior models and theories in the fields of psychology and cognition from the Google Scholar, Elmnet, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. The sampling method of the sources available in the databases was purposeful and included Wilson's classic works (1981–2017) as well as complementary research by other authors. To ensure content validity, the selected sources were drawn from scientific works published in reputable peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, to maintain internal validity, the analyses were conducted through multi-stage reviews by the authors to preserve logical coherence between Wilson's models and the cognitive and psychological components. Additionally, the data analysis method was analytical-interpretive.

From its initial formulation in 1981 to subsequent revisions, Wilson's models have evolved into more dynamic and comprehensive models that are capable of analyzing different layers of information behavior by utilizing interdisciplinary approaches and integrating psychological and cognitive theories. The findings indicate that Wilson’s intervening variables can be categorized into two main dimensions: individual and environmental factors. Components such as motivation, self-efficacy, stress–coping mechanisms, risk perception, and cognitive load play a decisive role in the processes of information seeking, evaluation, and use. The results also demonstrate that information-seeking behavior is dynamic and iterative in nature. A review of related theories showed that Bandura's Social Cognition Theory, Activity Theory, Stress-Coping Theory, Risk-Reward Theory, Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory, Dervin's Sense-Making Theory, and Ellis and Kolthau's theories have the ability to be analyzed and adapted to Wilson's information seeking models. The interaction between the individual, the environment, and behavior exerts a reciprocal influence on the information-seeking process, consistent with Bandura’s social cognitive theory.

By distinguishing between the need recognition stage and the search stage, Wilson has created the way for examining psychological interventions (risk perception, personal control, or outcome anticipation). In this approach, information seeking is not just an external behavior, but a manifestation of internal cognition such as perception, memory, problem solving, and judgment. Integrating cognitive and psychological theories with Wilson’s model can provide a more comprehensive framework for understanding users’ mental and emotional mechanisms in responding to information needs. Such integration enhances the theoretical explanatory power of information behavior models in today’s complex and technology-driven contexts. The present study demonstrated that revisiting Wilson's models from this perspective not only aids in understanding the mental and emotional mechanisms of users but also opens a new path for theoretical research in Knowledge and Information Science (KIS).

Managing default risk in Islamic contracts, particularly under conditions of information asymmetry, is a major challenge for Iran’s banking system. This study seeks to identify and compare the strengths and weaknesses of default risk management in exchange- and partnership-based contracts, and to propose corrective strategies. The research employs a qualitative design with thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 experts in Islamic banking, risk management, and Islamic jurisprudence. Participants were purposively selected, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase framework.Findings indicate that structural weaknesses in exchange contracts (institutional, systemic, and technological) foster adverse selection. Overreliance on collateral and the absence of behavioral credit scoring enable high-risk clients to access financing. By contrast, behavioral weaknesses in partnership contracts (human, cultural, and motivational) tend to generate moral hazard, reflected in concealment of financial reporting and difficulties in monitoring the agent’s performance. These results support the theories of asymmetric information and agency, while highlighting the need for a fundamental revision of default risk management in Islamic banking.Three categories of corrective strategies are suggested: (1) institutional–legal, including revision of regulations for partnership contracts; (2) technological, such as behavioral credit scoring and pilot use of smart contracts; and (3) cultural–organizational, including staff training and incentive systems. These strategies may guide policy-making by the central bank and commercial banks to strengthen default risk management and improve the efficiency of Islamic finance.

This study examines the feasibility of managing default risk arising from moral hazard in Islamic exchange-based contracts under conditions of asymmetric information, and analyzes the role of Web 3 technology in mitigating this risk. Given the growing importance of exchange-based contracts in Iran’s banking system and the challenges posed by customers’ opportunistic behavior, this research seeks to propose an integrated framework for controlling moral hazard. The methodology is designed in a mixed-methods format: in the first phase, the Delphi technique and the insights of banking and academic experts were used to identify key constructs and indicators. In the second phase, the conceptual model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The reliability and validity of the constructs were confirmed through indicators such as Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and average variance extracted (AVE). The findings indicate that asymmetric information directly exacerbates moral hazard and ultimately increases default risk in exchange-based contracts. Conversely, Web 3 technology not only has a direct risk-reducing effect on default but also significantly moderates the relationships between moral hazard, asymmetric information, and default. These results suggest that employing smart contracts, blockchain technology, and Web 3-based monitoring mechanisms can enhance transparency and mutual trust and prevent post-contract opportunistic behavior. The novelty of the study lies in integrating agency theory and information economics with the capabilities of Web 3. Furthermore, practical recommendations—such as developing smart contract platforms, enabling secure sharing of credit data, and implementing real-time monitoring of resource allocation—can serve as actionable solutions for managing default risk in the Islamic banking system.

Quality of work life is a comprehensive program that enhances satisfaction, fosters organizational learning, and supports employee’s growth and development. Like other organizations, libraries and information centers require efficient, effective, and high-quality human resources to deliver services and achieve their objectives. Librarians should receive supported for their mental and psychological needs whitin the organization. Psychologists suggest that addressing these needs requires attention to the quality of work life, which in turn increases library productivity and improves user satisfaction. Moreover, factors such as self-efficacy and job involvement also influence the quality of work life among librarians, and neglecting these factors may create challenges for libraries. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between quality of work life and self-efficacy, with the mediating role of job involvement, among librarians in public university libraries in Isfahan

This applied quantitative study employed a correlational design using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all librarians of public universities in Isfahan in 2024, including those from Isfahan University of Technology, the Art University of Isfahan, the University of Isfahan, and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences—a total of 101 librarians with at least one year of work experience. The sample size (80 librarians) was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table and selected through stratified random sampling proportional to population size. Data were collected using three questionnaires: Walton’s (1973) Quality of Work Life, Schwarzer and Jerusalem’s (1991) Self-Efficacy Scale, and Kanungo’s (1982) Job Involvement questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed through face validity and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 and SmartPLS 24 software. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was applied to assess data normality, the KMO test to evaluate sample adequacy, and Bartlett’s test to confirm overall correlations among variables. Additionally, t-tests, Levene’s test, Pearson correlations, and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze relationships and test hypotheses. 

The findings showed that the self-efficacy level among librarians in Isfahan’s public university libraries was above average (3.94), indicating a favorable condition. However, job involvement and quality of work life were below the hypothetical average (3), suggesting less favorable conditions. Among the components of the quality of work life of librarians, "social relevance of life at work" had the highest mean, while "fair and adequate compensation" had the lowest. Overall, all the components except “work and total living space” and “fair and adequate compensation” scored above the hypothetical mean. The KMO and Bartlett tests confirmed the adequacy of the sample and the suitability of correlations among constructs. Also, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test statistic indicated the normality of the data of the present study. The findings of the first hypothesis of the study were confirmed, based on the existence of a relationship between the quality of work life and job involvement of librarians. The component of "career opportunities and security" alone explained 12% of the variance in librarians' self-efficacy. The findings of the second hypothesis of the study also indicated a significant positive correlation between job involvement and librarians' self-efficacy. The relationship between quality of work life and job involvement was also confirmed, with the component of "work and total living space" alone explaining 12% of the variance in job involvement among librarians. Also, the main hypothesis of the study that there is a relationship between quality of work life and self-efficacy with the mediating role of job involvement among librarians of university libraries in Isfahan was confirmed, and the proposed model and all of its path coefficients had a good fit according to the values ​​of ChiSqr/df, RMSEA, NFI, TLI, and CFI indexes.

Designing and implementing programs to improve the quality of work life—such as providing positive feedback, ensuring fairness in task distribution and rewards, and involving librarians in decision-making—should be viewed not as a cost but as a strategic investment in organizational development. Enhancing the quality of work life fosters a better work environment, strengthens self-efficacy, and increases job involvement, which ultimately boosts user engagement and library utilization. Library managers can nurture self-efficacy by creating supportive work conditions, recognizing positive performance, protecting librarians from excessive supervision, and mitigating stress and anxiety. Investing in the quality of work life and self-efficacy development is, therefore, an investment in improving librarian engagement and the overall quality of library services.Originality/Value: The quality of work life of librarians is influenced by several interrelated factors that must be considered to enhance workplace well-being. Examining the quality of work life alongside self-efficacy and job involvement provides an original and valuable contribution, as this combined focus has received little prior attention. Another novel aspect of this study is its clarification and modeling of the mediating mechanism—job involvement—linking tangible capital (quality of work life) and psychological capital (self-efficacy) to desirable organizational outcomes among librarians.

Information asymmetry has long been recognized as a critical challenge within financial markets, where unequal access to information between contracting parties can lead to inefficient outcomes. In the context of Islamic finance, this issue manifests most prominently through adverse selection and moral hazard, both of which are substantially intensified in profit-and-loss sharing arrangements. Participatory contracts such as Mushārakah and Muḍārabah rely on mutual trust, transparency, and aligned incentives. However, empirical evidence from Islamic banking practice—particularly in Iran—shows that actual utilization of these contracts remains limited. Banks frequently avoid participatory financing and shift toward fixed-return modes (such as Murābaḥah), mainly due to the heightened risk of borrower default arising from information asymmetry, insufficient visibility into business operations, and difficulties in monitoring managerial behavior.      Within this environment, adverse selection emerges before contract formation when the bank cannot accurately distinguish between high-quality and low-quality project proposals or entrepreneurs. This may result in the unintended approval of risky proposals, thereby elevating the likelihood of non-performing financing. The problem is further accentuated by limitations in credit assessment processes, inadequate transparency in project data, and disparity in profit expectations and execution approaches between banks and entrepreneurs.      Recent advances in decentralized technologies—particularly Web3 architectures incorporating blockchain, decentralized identity frameworks, distributed ledgers, and programmable smart contracts—provide new opportunities to address these long-standing informational and contractual challenges. Web3 offers a structural shift from centralized information control to transparent and verifiable records shared within a network of stakeholders. Such transparency can diminish information asymmetry, reduce opportunities for misrepresentation, automate contract enforcement, and improve the reliability of credit histories.      The primary objective of this research is to assess the feasibility of reducing default risk caused by adverse selection in Islamic participatory contracts through the application of Web3 technology. The study aims to:      (1) Identify the core factors that generate adverse selection in participatory financing,      (2) Evaluate the strength and direction of their influence on default risk, and      (3) Analyze how Web3 mechanisms can mitigate these factors and enhance the practical viability of participatory contracts in Islamic banking systems.

This research adopts a mixed-methods exploratory–confirmatory design. Owing to the complexity and conceptual novelty of integrating Web3 systems with Islamic financial contracts, the study began with a qualitative phase followed by quantitative model testing. Qualitative Phase: Delphi MethodThe qualitative stage employed a three-round Delphi process to identify and validate the principal determinants of adverse selection in participatory financing. The expert panel comprised university scholars in Islamic economics, senior managers of credit and risk departments in Iranian banks, and professional consultants in Islamic financial technology. The first round used open-ended questionnaires to collect diverse expert insights, resulting in an initial list of thirteen candidate factors. In the second round, a structured Likert-scale survey assessed the significance of the proposed factors. Consensus criteria were set at mean ≥ 3.5 and standard deviation ≤ 1, consistent with established Delphi methodology. In the final round, experts confirmed the final factor set, which consolidated into three primary constructs:      (1) Lack of transparency in customer information,      (2) Insufficient evaluation of the entrepreneur’s technical competence, and      (3) Misalignment of objectives between financing partners.       These validated constructs provided the basis for the structural model.Quantitative Phase: PLS-SEM AnalysisIn the second phase, a structured questionnaire was administered to 289 participants representing the same expert categories. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS software. PLS-SEM was chosen due to:- The predictive and exploratory nature of the research,- The inclusion of higher-order and formative construct, and- Potential non-normality in expert response distributions.       Model evaluation followed established metrics, including reliability (Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability), convergent validity (AVE), discriminant validity, and structural path significance (t-statistics and p-values). Multi-collinearity was assessed using VIF values, all of which were below the acceptable threshold. Confidence levels were set at 95% with corresponding significance thresholds of p < 0.05.

The results of the structural model confirm that adverse selection exerts a direct and significant positive effect on default risk in participatory contracts (β = 0.299, p < 0.01). The components of adverse selection are strongly driven by:- Lack of transparency in customer information (β = 0.932, p < 0.001),- Misalignment of objectives between partners (β = 0.887, p < 0.001), and- Insufficient assessment of entrepreneurial competence (β = 0.885, p < 0.001).       This highlights that default risk in participatory financing is not merely a result of financial capacity constraints, but is deeply rooted in information imbalances and strategic behavior at the contract initiation stage.      The model further demonstrates that Web3 technologies have a significant mitigating influence. The path coefficient for Web3’s direct effect on reducing default risk is negative and statistically meaningful (β = −0.214, p < 0.01). Additionally, Web3 reduces the negative effects of adverse selection and information asymmetry, as shown by reversed and weakened path effects in the Web3-enhanced environment.      Key Web3 mechanisms enabling this outcome include:- Real-time transparency and immutable information records,- Smart contracts that automate profit-sharing and enforce commitments,- Decentralized digital identity (DID) systems that support reliable, tamper-proof credit histories,- Tokenization of collateral and tangible/ intangible assets, enabling verifiable and liquid security guarantees,- Reduced monitoring and enforcement costs due to auditability of on-chain transactions.

The findings of this research indicate that the primary barrier to effective participatory financing in Islamic banking is not merely structural or regulatory, but fundamentally informational. Adverse selection emerges where transparency, competence assessment, and goal alignment are weak. Conventional mechanisms—such as collateralization and post-contract supervisory audits—provide only partial and reactive mitigation. In contrast, Web3 offers a proactive and systemic solution by embedding transparency, verifiability, and automated compliance directly into the contract infrastructure.      By shifting the reliance from personal trust to systemic trust, Web3 supports the original normative philosophy of Islamic finance: equitable profit-and-loss sharing, partnership-based financing, and ethical allocation of capital. From a policy perspective, adopting Web3 frameworks may substantially increase the feasibility and attractiveness of participatory financing modes for Islamic banks that currently avoid them due to high default exposure.      This study contributes to the academic discourse on risk management in Islamic finance by demonstrating a structural linkage between information theory, contract design, and emerging decentralized technological capabilities. Practically, the research proposes a hybrid risk-management strategy, integrating traditional credit evaluation frameworks with Web3-based transparency, identity assurance, and automated enforcement.      Future work should examine regulatory, Shariah governance, cybersecurity considerations, and interoperability standards needed to implement Web3-based participatory financing systems at scale. Nonetheless, the present results indicate that intelligent and compliant adoption of Web3 can significantly reduce default risk and enable the revival of participatory financing models in Islamic banking.

The upstream oil and gas industry in Iran is a cornerstone of the nation's economy but is currently experiencing significant market failures and inefficiencies. These challenges stem from various factors, including economies of scale, informational deficiencies, asymmetric information, externalities, public goods, and the characteristics inherent in natural monopolies. Regulation plays a critical role in addressing these issues, particularly in industries like energy production and distribution, where societal costs are minimized when a single entity manages operations efficiently.
     In Iran, the upstream oil and gas sector functions as a natural monopoly due to its governing institutions and operational structures, making robust regulation indispensable. Historically, the sector has seen substantial government intervention that often blends sovereign responsibilities with operational activities. This amalgamation has led to structural governance problems, such as overlaps in governance and operational roles, heavy fiscal reliance on oil revenue, lack of transparency, absence of comprehensive policies, and inadequate involvement of policymakers and regulators.
     With the increasing involvement of the private sector and the government's reliance on private capital and expertise, the significance of effective regulatory frameworks has become even more pronounced. Regulation, defined as the government's guiding and supervisory role to ensure the security of goods and services for consumers, encompasses measures like optimizing resource extraction, improving the industry's business environment, increasing long-term investments, developing value chains, and fostering domestic companies.
     Despite these regulatory efforts, the industry faces persistent challenges, including economic and budgetary dependence on oil revenue, subsidized energy prices, low adherence to sustainable production policies, neglect of shared fields, gas flaring, and low recovery rates. For instance, although the 2011 Iran Oil Law defines "sustainable production" as optimizing and maximizing the economic value of oil resources throughout their lifespan, the targeted recovery rate of 35–40% remains at approximately 24.5%. Insufficient investment in enhanced recovery methods further exacerbates this issue.
     These challenges highlight a fundamental governance problem rooted in the industry's state-dominated nature and fiscal dependence on oil revenue. The primary goal of regulation—to achieve public benefit by balancing producer and consumer interests—is not being fully realized. In Iran's context, public benefit involves maximizing the economic exploitation of oil and gas resources as national and intergenerational wealth, reflected in policies promoting sustainable production, reducing gas flaring, and enhancing domestic capabilities.
     Good governance theories offer frameworks for addressing these challenges. Two prominent approaches are the developmental state theory, which emphasizes strong executive power, and the good governance theory, which relies on trust between the government and citizens. These theories propose governance models where either the government assumes full responsibility or governance is a collaborative effort among the government, civil institutions, and the private sector. In the oil sector, key functions of good governance include policymaking, strategy formulation, operational decision-making, and regulation and oversight. Regulation and oversight are crucial for ensuring the proper implementation of national policies and objectives, bridging the gap between policymakers' knowledge and implementers' experience.

This study investigates the foundations of regulation in Iran's upstream oil and gas industry within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence and its position in Iranian law. Specifically, it explores whether the industry aligns with the Islamic jurisprudential concept of Anfal (public wealth) and examines the legal and governance implications of this alignment. The research addresses the question: How do Islamic jurisprudential principles regarding Anfal inform the regulation of Iran's upstream oil and gas industry, and what is their manifestation in Iranian law
 Research Hypothesis :

The hypothesis posits that Iran's upstream oil and gas industry conforms to Islamic jurisprudential principles concerning Anfal, which categorizes certain resources as public wealth under state stewardship for the benefit of all. Furthermore, it suggests that Iranian lawmakers have attempted to distinguish sovereign duties from operational activities within the sector to enhance regulatory effectiveness. However, the industry's state-dominated nature and fiscal dependence on oil revenue present ongoing challenges that hinder effective governance and the successful implementation of regulatory measures aligned with Islamic jurisprudence.
∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴
This doctrinal study employs a qualitative analysis of legal texts, Islamic jurisprudential writings, and policy documents to explore the regulatory framework of Iran's upstream oil and gas industry. The research is structured into three comprehensive sections:     Overview of Iran's Regulatory Framework: This section examines the existing laws, regulations, and institutional arrangements governing the upstream oil and gas sector. It analyzes the regulatory mechanisms in place, assesses their effectiveness, and identifies areas where the blending of sovereign and operational roles creates governance challenges.
     Jurisprudential Analysis of Anfal: Here, the study delves into Islamic jurisprudence to understand the concept of Anfal, which refers to resources considered public wealth. It explores principles of ownership and utilization, analyzing classical and contemporary interpretations to ascertain how these principles can be applied to the management and regulation of oil and gas resources.
     Critical Review Based on Jurisprudential Theories: The final section critically evaluates Iran's legal framework for oil and gas governance through the lens of selected jurisprudential theories. It assesses whether current practices align with Islamic principles and good governance models, considering factors such as transparency, accountability, and public benefit. The review identifies discrepancies between theory and practice and offers recommendations for aligning the regulatory framework with both Islamic jurisprudence and effective governance standards.

 Results & Discussion :

The study's findings indicate that while Islamic jurisprudence does not provide explicit regulatory guidelines specific to the oil and gas sector, it offers general principles through concepts like Anfal (public wealth) that are applicable to this industry. The ownership of Anfal is vested in the Imam or ruler, not as personal property but as an institutional responsibility reflecting sovereignty and decision-making authority. This understanding shifts the perspective of ownership from personal to legal persona, emphasizing the role of the Imam or ruler as a trustee [Amin] for the Muslim community.
     The research discusses that the Islamic government holds ownership of Anfal, including oil and gas resources, but is not obligated to directly manage their exploitation. Instead, there is provision for delegating management to capable individuals or entities through mechanisms such as management contracts, partnerships, or similar arrangements. This delegation aligns with the principles of trusteeship, where the primary objective is to maximize societal benefits and prevent harm to the community.
     In the context of Iran's upstream oil and gas industry, this jurisprudential perspective supports the involvement of the private sector under specific conditions. The government's inability to efficiently manage all Anfal resources necessitates alternative governance models. By delegating exploitation to qualified entities, the government can leverage expertise, technology, and resources that may not be available within state institutions. This approach ensures that the exploitation of oil and gas resources is efficient, sustainable, and aligned with public welfare.
     The study also highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks rooted in Islamic jurisprudence to oversee this delegation of authority. Regulation serves as a tool for economic control and justice, ensuring that market failures are addressed, and public welfare is prioritized. The government's role as a regulator involves setting policies, establishing accountability mechanisms, and enforcing standards to balance market dynamics and prevent monopolistic practices.
     Furthermore, the research emphasizes that the principles governing the Imam's authority over Anfal are not limited to the era of the presence of an infallible Imam. During the period of Ghaybah (occultation), it remains imperative to govern these assets within the framework of Islamic jurisprudential limits. This continuity ensures that the management of Anfal resources remains consistent with Islamic principles regardless of temporal circumstances.
     The discussion also examines Iran's legal framework, particularly Article 44 of the Constitution, which aligns with jurisprudential rulings by placing major resources under government control while mandating their use for public benefit. However, challenges such as mismanagement and inefficiency under direct government control highlight the need for alternative models. The research suggests that private sector participation, under the condition of maintaining state ownership and proper regulatory oversight, can enhance efficiency and contribute to the public good.
     In addressing these points, the study bridges the gap between Islamic jurisprudential principles and practical governance needs. It demonstrates that private sector involvement is permissible and beneficial when aligned with Islamic and legal principles, provided that state ownership is preserved and regulatory mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance with public welfare objectives.

The research concludes that while specific regulatory guidelines for the oil and gas sector are absent in Islamic jurisprudence, general principles such as those related to Anfal provide a foundational framework applicable to the industry. The ownership of Anfal by the Imam or ruler is institutional, reflecting a duty of trusteeship rather than personal possession. This entrusts the government with the responsibility to maximize societal benefits from these resources.
     It is determined that the Islamic government is not obligated to directly manage the exploitation of oil and gas resources. Instead, it can delegate this responsibility to capable individuals or entities through appropriate contractual arrangements, ensuring that the benefits are utilized for public welfare. This delegation is particularly pertinent when the government lacks the necessary expertise, resources, or capacity to manage these resources efficiently.
     The study emphasizes that governance of Anfal must comply with Islamic principles, even during the absence of an infallible Imam. Iran's Constitution, inspired by Islamic jurisprudence, supports this approach by mandating that substantial resources under government control be used for the public benefit. However, mismanagement or inefficiency in direct government control necessitates considering alternative governance models.
     Regulatory frameworks rooted in Islamic jurisprudence are deemed essential for economic control and justice. Regulation plays a critical role in ensuring public welfare by addressing market failures and balancing market dynamics. The government, acting as a regulator, can oversee the industry's operations to prevent inefficiencies and ensure that exploitation serves the best interests of society.
     The findings affirm that private sector participation in the upstream oil and gas industry is permissible under the condition of maintaining state ownership, aligning with both Islamic and legal principles. This participation can enhance efficiency, bring in specialized expertise, and promote technological advancement, all of which contribute to maximizing the benefits derived from Anfal for the public.

The aim of the study is to investigate The spillover effects of traditional and new financial markets (stock market, cryptocurrency and foreign exchange) by VAR model during the period of 5/2/2012 to 10/1/2023. Knowing the relationships between financial markets is a necessary issue for investors to make appropriate decisions. This knowledge can help policymakers in policy design and investors in predicting fluctuations. The results of this research show that 1) Bitcoin is not affected by the foreign exchange market and the Iranian stock exchange; Also, this market does not have a significant effect on the two foreign exchange markets and the stock market, so investors can choose the cryptocurrency market for investment in order to cover the portfolio risk. 2) The currency market and the stock market have a mutual influence on each other, although the influence of the currency on the stock market is greater and faster, but the influence of the stock market on the currency is less; According to the results of this research, it is necessary for the Two politicians in Foreign exchange and capital market to coordinate their policies so that both markets have the least turbulence, On this basis, it is necessary to coordinate capital market and currency market policies.

Considering the importance of marketing and public relations in libraries and the lack of an official position on the one hand and the compilation of the new standard of public libraries in Iran on the other hand, the aim of this research was to investigate the view of public library managers of Isfahan province about the feasibility of implementing the Standard of Marketing and Public Relations of Iranian Public Libraries (2020).

This research was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of method. The statistical population consisted of 196 public library managers of Isfahan province. 127 managers were selected as a statistical sample by the Krejcie and Morgan table and stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, and SPSS V.26 statistical software was used to analyze the data.

The results showed that the average feasibility of implementing the Standard from the view of public library managers of Isfahan province is lower than the average (x=3) and the observed average difference is also significant. The average of the components of planning, evaluation and support were all lower than the hypothetical average, which shows the poor condition of the feasibility of these components in the public libraries of Isfahan province. There was also no significant difference between the view of the public library managers based on the demographic variables of gender, age, education degree, discipline, city and work experience regarding the feasibility of implementing the Standard.

Conclusions: 

So far, there has been no research on the Standard of Marketing and Public Relations of Iranian Public Libraries (2020). The results of the present research can achieve the desired situation in the field of marketing and public relations in order to attract the audience and facilitate relations with the actual and potential audience community.

Rapid technological advancements and shifts in the business environment are driving companies ‎towards innovation and enhanced competitiveness. In this context, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) is ‎recognized as a strategic tool to facilitate innovation and sustainable growth, involving minority ‎investments by large corporations in startups. Successful CVC implementation faces numerous ‎challenges, including balancing strategic and financial objectives. This research aims to design a model ‎for structuring and organizing CVC within parent companies.‎The research methodology is based on thematic analysis, combining empirical data (expert ‎interviews) and a review of existing research. The resulting model is a decision-support framework built ‎upon ‎‏13‏‎ key components across four dimensions: structural, investment strategy, human capital, and ‎organizational interactions. This model is grounded in contingency logic, offering ‎‏58‏‎ decision-making ‎options to enable customization based on each parent company's objectives, maturity level, structure, and ‎organizational culture. This framework provides practical guidance for managers and policymakers, ‎considering local nuances, and by offering a cohesive and actionable framework, it helps fill existing ‎gaps in CVC literature and enhances organizational capabilities in innovation management.‎

Iran has emitted over 20 billion tons of carbon dioxide by the year 2024, ranking sixth globally with a 2% share of total emissions. It is estimated that power plants consume approximately 71 billion cubic meters of gas annually, releasing 118 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The economic value of these emissions is roughly equivalent to Iran’s total petrochemical exports, which is $11.8 billion. Additionally, considering that one ton of carbon dioxide is emitted for every ton of cement produced, and Iran's annual cement production stands at approximately 72 million tons, the economic value of carbon dioxide emissions in this sector is estimated to be $7.2 billion. In addition to the economic value of carbon dioxide, it seems essential to control and manage the emission of this gas from the perspective of social responsibility, environmental considerations, climate change, legal requirements, and possible future restrictions on the sale of carbon-based products. Carbon dioxide is a valuable resource with wide and diverse applications in the food, chemicals, petrochemicasl, pharmaceuticals, construction, refrigeration industries, and most importantly in enhancing oil recovery (CO2-EOR). Given its economic and industrial value, adopting effective strategies for carbon dioxide management and utilization is essential. This article explores the status of carbon dioxide emissions in Iran and globally, examines methods for its optimal management and utilization, and proposes strategies for leveraging this national resource.

Effective planning is essential for progress, especially in science, knowledge, and technology. Beyond setting quantitative and qualitative goals, the mechanisms for achieving and evaluating these objectives are equally crucial. This article analyzes the successes and shortcomings of the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan in the higher education sector. The results show that several key performance indicators have surpassed 90% of their targets, demonstrating relative success. These include the number of patents registered with international authorities, the proportion of international students relative to domestic students, the number of universities ranked among the top 100 in Asia, the annual number of Scopus-indexed articles per full-time faculty member, the percentage of articles co-authored with foreign researchers and the number of Iran publications indexed in international scientific databases. However, certain areas continue to underperforming, with achievement rates falling below 50%, such as the share of government research, and technology funding in the gross domestic product, which stands at 28.7%; the proportion of postgraduate students within the total student population, currently at 48.1%, and the percentage of graduate students pursing basic sciences, which is just 40%. To enhance the success of the Seventh Five-Year Development Plan, it is recommended that increased investments be made in research and development, the establishment of well-equipped laboratories, and the allocation of a higher share of research to the gross national product.

Sanctions have long been one of the most critical external shocks shaping the dynamics of Iran’s economy. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has been repeatedly subjected to unilateral and multilateral sanctions, particularly by the United States and its allies, which have targeted key financial and energy sectors. These sanctions disrupt financial transactions, limit international trade, and impose barriers on capital flows, thereby altering the structure and behavior of domestic markets.  In a non-sanctioned environment, investors typically diversify by entering competing or parallel foreign markets, effectively managing investment risk across multiple asset classes. Sanctions, however, restrict such options, forcing investors to rely more heavily on domestic markets and alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies. These shifts in investment strategies highlight the importance of understanding how sanctions affect network causal relationships among domestic financial markets.   Clause 22 of Iran’s Resistance Economy policy emphasizes mobilizing national resources and improving resilience against external pressures. Understanding inter-market spillovers under sanction conditions is thus vital, not only for academic knowledge but also for policymaking, portfolio management, and systemic risk assessment. The present study aims to analyze the spillover dynamics and causal interdependencies among three key markets of Iran—Tehran Stock Exchange, the foreign exchange market, and the cryptocurrency market—over the period 1390–1401 SH (2011–2022 AD). The primary objectives of the study are:To quantify spillover effects between financial markets during sanction periods.identify structural breaks in market interconnections caused by specific sanction episodes.evaluate the systemic role of each market as a transmitter or receiver of shocks.To provide evidence-based recommendations for policymaking in line with the Resistance Economy strategy.

Methods and Materials:

To capture the time-varying interdependencies between markets, the study employs the Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregression (TVP-VAR) model. This model, introduced by Primiceri (2005) and further extended by Koop & Korobilis (2014), allows parameters to evolve over time, making it suitable for capturing the dynamic and nonlinear nature of financial linkages, especially during turbulent periods such as sanctions.Data and Period: The dataset covers the period from 16/11/1390 (February 2012) to /10/1401 (January 2023), using daily observations.Stock Exchange Index (TPI) – as a representative of equity performance.Foreign Exchange Market – USD/IRR daily free-market exchange rate.Market – Bitcoin returns as the leading cryptocurrency.Variables: Logarithmic daily returns of each market were calculated to ensure stationarity and comparability.Sources: Exchange rates were collected from the Central Bank of Iran, stock data from BourseView, and Bitcoin prices from com.Analytical Approach:A baseline VAR model was constructed to identify inter-market interactions.TVP-VAR was employed to account for parameter changes across time.Generalized Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (GFEVD) was used to measure spillover intensities, following the approach of Diebold & Yilmaz (2012).Sensitivity analysis was conducted in two ways: (a) event-by-event (individual sanctions such as the Central Bank sanction, sanctions on energy and financial sectors, and sanction on 18 Iranian banks), and (b) comprehensive (aggregating sanctions into five distinct phases).The TVP-VAR model enables computation of:Total Connectedness Index (TCI): The average level of network spillovers across markets, representing systemic risk.Net Spillover Index (NET): Identifies whether a market acts as a net transmitter (positive NET) or receiver (negative NET) of shocks.

The results from sensitivity analysis revealed key insights into how sanctions reshaped inter-market relationships:- Event-specific analysis:Central Bank Sanction (2019): TCI rose from 3.22% to 5.54%, reflecting a 67% increase in inter-market connectedness. The stock market remained a net receiver, foreign exchange a strong transmitter, and cryptocurrency shifted toward greater vulnerability.Financial and Energy Sector Sanctions (2018): TCI increased from 3.26% to 5.17%. Cryptocurrencies’ role weakened dramatically, showing nearly zero spillover transmission, while the stock market’s negative NET deepened.18 Bank Sanctions (2020): The most disruptive sanction. TCI rose from 3.24% to 5.15%. Here, the cryptocurrency market switched roles from transmitter to receiver, highlighting its fragility under systemic banking restrictions. Comprehensive phase analysis: Dividing the entire period into five phases provided clearer patterns:Phase 1 (Pre-JCPOA withdrawal): Cryptocurrency (NET=+0.67) acted as a transmitter; stock market (NET=−0.78) and forex (NET=+0.11) showed mixed roles.Phase 2 (Post-JCPOA withdrawal to financial/energy sanctions): Forex became the dominant transmitter (NET=+3.10), while both crypto (NET=−1.54) and stocks (NET=−1.56) were receivers.Phase 3 (Financial/Energy sanctions to Central Bank sanction): Forex remained a transmitter (NET=+1.94), while crypto (−0.32) and stocks (−1.61) remained receivers.Phase 4 (Central Bank sanction to 18 Bank sanction): Cryptocurrency briefly resumed a transmitter role (+0.37), forex (+0.19) remained transmitter, while stocks (−0.57) stayed vulnerable.Phase 5 (18 Bank sanction to end of study): A significant structural shift: forex (+2.41) and stocks (+2.37) both emerged as transmitters, while crypto turned into a strong receiver (−0.04). Total Connectedness Index (TCI): Across all phases, TCI fluctuated between 3.16% and 6.63%, peaking during the fifth phase, signaling heightened systemic risk and tighter network integration under sanctions.

The findings confirm that sanctions are not only external shocks but also structural breakpoints for domestic financial markets. Several critical insights emerge:Dominant Role of Forex: The foreign exchange market consistently acted as the primarytransmitter of shocks, underlining its systemic importance. This reflects Iran’s heavy reliance on foreign currency markets as both a channel for external shocks and a driver of domestic volatility.Stock Market Vulnerability: The Tehran Stock Exchangewas persistently a net receiver of shocks. Its sensitivity to currency volatility and sanctions implies weak hedging capacity and limited resilience.Cryptocurrency’s Dual Role: Unlike forex or stocks, the cryptocurrency market displayed a shifting role, alternating between transmitter and receiver. This duality suggests that crypto markets, while offering temporary alternatives for sanction evasion, are highly unstable and reactive to systemic stress.Structural Shifts Post-2020: The sanctions on 18 Iranian banks marked a turning point, intensifying inter-market connectedness and reshaping roles. This indicates the fragility of financial intermediation in Iran and the high exposure of cryptocurrencies to institutional restrictions.Policy Alignment with Resistance Economy: The results support Clause 22 of the Resistance Economy policy, highlighting the need for coordinated resource mobilization and risk management strategies in times of external pressure.

Conclusion

The study concludes that sanctions significantly alter the causal network structure of Iran’s financial markets, raising systemic risks and reshaping market roles:The foreign exchange market remains the central transmitter of shocks.
The stock market is predominantly vulnerable as a shock receiver.The cryptocurrency market exhibits instability, alternating roles depending on sanction type and timing. These results highlight the necessity for targeted economic policies to stabilize forex markets, protect equities, and regulate cryptocurrency flows. Without such measures, sanctions will continue to amplify systemic risks and undermine investor confidence.6. Implications and Future Research 1. Policy Implications: Policymakers should prioritize stabilizing the forex market through effective currency management, while designing mechanisms to shield the stock market from external shocks. Additionally, regulated domestic alternatives to cryptocurrencies could prevent spillovers from volatile digital assets. Establishing monitoring institutions for currency and crypto markets will enhance transparency and reduce systemic risks.2. Investor Implications: Investors should recognize the persistent systemic role of forex and the fragility of equities under sanctions. Portfolio diversification strategies must account for cryptocurrencies’ unstable dual role.3. Future Research: Comparative studies across other sanctioned economies (e.g., Russia, Venezuela) could provide cross-country evidence on sanction-induced spillovers. Expanding the network to include commodities such as gold and oil would further enrich systemic risk analysis. Methodologically, combining TVP-VAR with wavelet coherence or machine-learning approaches may yield deeper insights into dynamic contagion patterns.

Financing is one of the important issues that every industry faces in some way. Therefore, in order to maximize the wealth of shareholders, one of the decisions of the managers of small and medium sized industrial units is the decisions related to financing. Hence, the purpose of this research was to design a financing model for small and medium sized industries in Iran in order to improve productivity management. Since this research had a qualitative approach, the grounded theory method was used as a research method. The data was collected through in-depth and open interviews with 20 academic and industry experts, which was then coded and validated. The extracted codes included 411 concepts (open codes) and 20 main categories. Based on the systematic approach of foundational data theory, the identified codes were classified into six categories, including " central phenomenon, causal conditions, background conditions, intervening conditions, strategies and consequences". The results obtained from the interviews show that the central phenomenon of "financing" includes "drafting of financial plans during the financing process", "financial monitoring and evaluation during the financing process" and the categories of "development of operational activities", "developments of company's finances" and "company's environmental causes" as causal conditions have an effect on the categories of the central phenomenon. The foundational categories as necessary background conditions for the realization of financing in small and medium sized industries include: "financial accounting standards", "standardized financial statements", "company’s financial affairs management", "financing institutions", and "company's general management". Meanwhile, some categories act as interfering conditions in realizing financing in small and medium sized industries including: "macro environmental interventions", "internal company interventions" and "prerequisites for realizing financing" which are both background and intervention conditions. They can influence the presented strategies. These strategies include: "corporate discipline", "analysis and monitoring of the prevailing situation in the company", "actions and classification of matters for financing" and "using auxiliary levers" which are the necessary strategies in the implementation of financing in small and medium sized industries. If the central phenomenon is realized, the categories of "business excellence", organization of financial flows" and "economic development" can be expected as the resulting consequences.

Scientific communication encompasses various types and forms of communication conducted through the use of communication methods and tools, aiming to exchange scientific knowledge and information. To gain a comprehensive understanding of scientific and research communications and enhance them, it is crucial to identify the terms and concepts. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to identify and conceptually cluster key terms in the field of scientific communication using text mining techniques. The present research method is quantitative in terms of approach and practical in terms of purpose and utilized various text mining techniques for identifying and clustering key terms in the field of scientific communication. The research population consist of abstracts of articles related to scientific communication, extracted from databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, totaling 558 articles. The sampling method was census. Initially, all nominal phrases were extracted using available libraries. Each compound phrase was decomposed into its constituent words, and based on GloVe dictionary, the average vectors of those words were calculated, assigning a numerical vector to each compound phrase. The researchers created an equivalent expression using existing vocabulary to describe unknown terms that did not exist in the GloVe dictionary. The clustering (using the K-means method) was performed on these vectors. The findings revealed that out of 17,930 extracted keywords, 13,651 terms were noun phrases. Also, 16% of terms in the field of scientific communication were single words and 84% of them were compound. After creating vectors of compound terms and performing clustering, 40 conceptual clusters were created from 792 phrases or terms in the field of scientific communication. After adjusting and removing weak clusters, researchers finally identified 22 clusters in the field of scientific communication. Identifying the concepts and components in scientific communication in the form of conceptual clusters and its elements is attributed to the results of this research. One of the most significant findings was the assignment of numerical vectors to composite phrases based on the vectors of their constituent words. These vectors were then used for clustering and categorizing phrases, as well as improving and correcting some clusters. This method pays attention to the semantics aspects and learning in the clustering and categorization of concepts and, will aid to precise analysis of key terms and phrases in various fields.

The purpose of the current research was to investigate the relationship between social undermining and organizational justice, as well as their impact on role clarity among librarians in public university libraries in Isfahan.

This research is applicable in terms of purpose and descriptive and correlational in terms of method. The statistical population of this study included all official and full-time librarians working in public university libraries in Isfahan during the 2022-2023 academic year. Data were collected by three questionnaires of social undermining (Duffy, 2002), organizational justice (Niehoff and Moorman,1993) and role clarity (Hasanzadeh,1388). The collected data were analyzed at two levels (descriptive statistics and inferential statistics). Structural equation modeling test, Pearson correlation and multi-way analysis of variance test were used to test the research hypotheses. In addition, SPSS software version 23 was used for statistical analysis.

The research findings indicate that there is a relationship between social undermining and organizational justice with role clarity among the librarians of Isfahan public universities. Social undermining is negatively correlated with organizational justice and its dimensions (distributive, procedural, and interactive). In contrast, role clarity is positively correlated with organizational justice and its dimensions. Additionally, there is a significant negative correlation between social undermining and role clarity.

Based on the research findings, it is recommended that library managers clearly define the roles of librarians. This could potentially reduce the prevalence of social undermining among employees.