implementation challenges

As a developing country with a growing population, Iran is facing increasing electricity consumption. Since most of the country's electricity is supplied by thermal power plants, which require substantial investment for construction, attracting private sector investment is of great importance. Therefore, development plans have consistently emphasized private sector participation. However, despite government efforts, the established goals have not been achieved, and the level of private investment remains below the required threshold. This study aims to examine the factors contributing to the success and failure of the government in attracting private sector investment for the construction of thermal power plants. To achieve this, thematic analysis was employed. Initially, influencing factors were extracted from previous studies, and then these factors were analyzed in a focus group to identify the main barriers and dimensions. The findings indicate that the challenges of private sector investment in this field can be categorized into four main areas: policy environment, policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. Each of these areas faces various structural, legal, and operational obstacles that hinder the government's ability to fully achieve its investment goals. Addressing these challenges requires policy revisions, improvements in implementation processes, and the creation of more favorable conditions for private sector participation.

Today, digital transformation in the public sector has become an essential and strategic imperative for governments worldwide. In the digital age, citizens' needs and expectations have evolved, necessitating that government organizations undertake digital transformation in alignment with citizens' demands. However, the public sector sometimes struggles to fulfill this role, facing challenges that stem from its perceived inefficacy in the eyes of society. Based on this, the main goal of this research is to analyze the challenges of digital transformation in Iran's government organizations; fulfilling this goal requires answering the following two questions: 1) What are the challenges of digital transformation in Iran's government organizations? 2) What is the interpretive structural model and internal relations of digital transformation challenges in Iran's government organizations?

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:

Many definitions have been presented for digital transformation, some of which have been considered more suitable for the public sector. Digital transformation in the public sector is based on three aspects: 1) changing priorities to meet the expectations of the new generation, 2) using new technologies such as big data, deep learning, decision-making systems, and other technologies, and 3) expanding the scope of using technologies to innovate in social processes. Digital transformation in the public sector does not only lead to online services and digitization; Rather, it has broader consequences, including creating new value for citizens through providing quality services and listening to the voices of citizens and other institutions to ensure a just society. However, given the paucity of studies on the challenges of digital transformation within Iran's public sector, the present study aims to analyze its challenges in this sector.

The methodology comprises a two-step process. First, digital transformation challenges were extracted from the literature and interviews with experts. Several semi-structured interviews were conducted in this research mostly by phone, and a few in person due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The participants of this research were digital transformation experts and IT specialists, whose number should be between 12 and 25 people based on Warfield's theory. Second, interpretive structural modeling was utilized to prioritize and mitigate the challenges. The structural-interpretive model, due to its ability to identify causal and complex relationships between a set of factors, analyze their effects on each other, and determine the ranking of system elements helps managers to make better decisions about implementing the designed model.

The results of the research were that challenge 10 (legal restrictions) at the first level, challenges 2 (consecutive management changes) and 3 (the presence of old generations in management positions) at the second level, challenge 4 (lack of recognition of digital transformation), 7 (risk aversion of government managers) and 8 (lack of knowledge and training in the field of digital transformation) at the third level, challenges 1 (lack of support from the senior manager), 6 (managers' inattention to change management), 9 (weakness in re-engineering operational processes), 11 (lack of digital strategy) and 12 (lack of strong digital transformation culture in government organizations) at the fourth level, and challenge 5 (dispersion of data) was placed at the fifth level. According to the findings of the research, "legal restrictions", "old generations in management positions" and "consecutive management changes" are considered the most influential challenges of digital transformation in the public sector and indicate their high impact on other challenges. As a result, they act as the cornerstone of the model that should be emphasized in the first place.

CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS:

The findings can inform future digital transformation programs/policies and provide insights for policymakers and government managers to determine priorities and overcome digital transformation challenges. According to the research findings, the most important challenge that originates from other challenges and many factors involved in its creation is the dispersion and non-integration of data. Data is considered the core of the digital government. But currently, Iran's government departments are not coordinated with each other and the competitive thinking between organizations has caused non-cooperation and as a result data silo. This is a fundamental obstacle to digital transformation in Iran's government organizations. Therefore, the successful implementation of digital transformation requires integrated information systems and increased cooperation at the national and international levels. As a result, considering the current conditions of Iran's administrative system and the importance of digital transformation in the public sector, the implementation of digital transformation in the public sector requires a comprehensive and coordinated organizational approach that includes creating a digital strategy, formulating appropriate policies, training and developing human resources, developing digital culture, improving information systems, and designing change management teams.

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive qualitative meta-synthesis of knowledge management implementation in higher education institutions, focusing on identifying critical success factors, challenges, and implementation strategies. The research seeks to develop an integrated framework that captures the multifaceted nature of knowledge management in academic settings while providing practical guidelines for successful implementation.

The study employs a systematic qualitative meta-synthesis methodology following Sandelowski and Barroso's (2006) seven-step approach. From an initial pool of 80 articles published between 2018 and 2023, nine high-quality studies were selected through rigorous inclusion criteria. The research utilized systematic database searches across Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The selected studies were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify recurring themes, patterns, and relationships. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) was employed to ensure methodological rigor, and peer review was used to enhance the reliability of the findings.

The meta-synthesis revealed five critical success factors for knowledge management implementation in higher education:1. Supportive organizational culture emerged as the most crucial factor, emphasizing the need for trust, transparency, and continuous learning values.2. Information technology infrastructure was identified as essential for facilitating knowledge storage, retrieval, and sharing.3. Senior management support was found to be vital for resource allocation and strategic alignment.4. Reward and motivation systems were recognized as crucial for encouraging knowledge-sharing behaviors.5. Flexible organizational structure was determined to be necessary for facilitating cross-departmental collaboration and knowledge flow.The study also identified significant challenges, including:- Resistance to change among academic staff- Lack of knowledge-sharing culture- Resource constraints (both financial and human)- Bureaucratic organizational structures- Limited understanding of knowledge management benefitsImplementation strategies were categorized into three main areas:1. Cultural interventions (fostering trust, promoting collaboration)2. Structural modifications (creating knowledge management roles, establishing communities of practice)3. Technological solutions (implementing knowledge management systems, developing digital repositories)The research culminated in developing a comprehensive conceptual model that illustrates the interrelationships between success factors, challenges, and implementation strategies in academic knowledge management.Research limitations: Several limitations should be considered:- The relatively small sample size of nine studies may not capture all relevant perspectives- Geographic concentration of studies in specific regions may limit global generalizability- Lack of access to raw data from primary studies restricted certain types of analysis- Temporal limitations of selected studies may not reflect the most recent developments- Methodological variations across studies complicated direct comparisonsThese limitations suggest opportunities for future research, including:- Longitudinal studies examining long-term impacts of knowledge management initiatives- Cross-cultural comparative studies of knowledge management implementation- Investigation of emerging technologies' impact on academic knowledge management- Studies focusing on knowledge management's role in achieving sustainable development goals- Research on the relationship between knowledge management and intellectual capital in universitiesPractical implications: The study provides several actionable recommendations for higher education institutions:1. Develop comprehensive knowledge management strategies aligned with institutional objectives2. Implement targeted training programs to enhance awareness and skills3. Design appropriate incentive systems to encourage knowledge sharing4. Review and modify organizational structures to facilitate knowledge flow5. Invest in suitable information technology infrastructure6. Create specialized knowledge management roles and teams7. Establish regular knowledge-sharing sessions across departments8. Develop knowledge repositories and information banks9. Implement mentoring programs for tacit knowledge transfer10. Regular assessment of knowledge management effectivenessThe findings emphasize the need for a holistic approach that addresses cultural, structural, and technological dimensions simultaneously. The study provides practical guidelines for academic leaders and administrators implementing knowledge management initiatives.

This meta-synthesis offers several unique contributions to the field:1. Provides a comprehensive and integrated perspective on knowledge management in higher education by synthesizing recent qualitative research2. Develops a novel conceptual framework that captures the dynamic relationships between success factors, challenges, and implementation strategies3. Offers practical, evidence-based recommendations for academic institutions4. Identifies gaps in current understanding and suggests directions for future research5. Addresses the complex interplay between organizational culture, technology, and human factors in academic knowledge management6. Contributes to the theoretical understanding of knowledge management in educational contexts7. Presents a systematic analysis of implementation challenges and corresponding solutionsThe study's value lies in its synthesis of diverse perspectives and experiences, providing a robust foundation for both theoretical advancement and practical application in higher education knowledge management. It serves as a valuable resource for academic leaders, administrators, and researchers working to enhance knowledge management practices in higher education institutions.The findings underscore the importance of adopting a systemic, long-term approach to knowledge management implementation, recognizing that success requires careful attention to cultural, structural, and technological factors. This research contributes to both the theoretical understanding of knowledge management in academic settings and provides practical guidance for its implementation.

This study aims to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI) influences the development of demand forecasting systems in retail businesses, identifying the benefits, challenges, and opportunities presented by AI technologies. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews as the primary method for data collection. Participants included 20 managers and experts in the fields of retail and information technology, selected through purposive sampling. Five main themes were identified: the use of AI in demand forecasting, challenges in implementing AI, opportunities created by AI, effects on organization and strategy, and social and ethical impacts. AI was found to enhance demand forecasting accuracy, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. However, technical, organizational, and financial challenges were also noted. Despite the challenges associated with AI implementation, the study concludes that AI has a significant positive impact on improving demand forecasting and overall retail business performance. Retailers are encouraged to embrace AI technologies to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving market.