Presenting a typology matrix of efficient and inefficient employees in the public sector: Grounded Theory approach

Efficient employees are the main reason for the success and excellence of the organization, and inefficient employees are also the cause of the problems and failures of the organization. However, in previous studies, less research has comprehensively and coherently addressed the employee efficiency and the most important purpose of this study was to provide a theoretical model of efficient and inefficient employees and investigate their characteristics in the public sector. Classic (Glaserian) Grounded Theory methodological principles used in this study in relation to the use of literature, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, and theory development in order to fill the gap in existing studies and help increase knowledge in this field. In this regard, in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 17 experts in the water industry of Isfahan province and the obtained data were analyzed in three stages of open coding, selective coding and theoretical coding. Data analysis resulted in identifying four types of employees in terms of efficiency, which were conceptualized with the titles of proactive employees, reactive employees, Procrastinative employees and restive employees. In the continuation of the data analysis, the mentioned types were investigated and analyzed through the typology matrix of efficient and inefficient employees. Obviously, identifying the types of employees in terms of efficiency and explaining their characteristics will help improve the efficiency of human resources and deal with inefficiency.