Driving and Inhibiting Themes of Nation-Building in Path to Sustainable Development

The crafting of a common national spirit, referred to as nation-building, has been the prime objective of political systems throughout history. Nation-building is a process whereby citizens gradually arrive at a self-understanding of their common and unifying factors and take steps towards its evolution. During the process of nation-state building, political and social structures are formed to meet mutual needs. Through such interactions, efficient and development-oriented political, economic, and social structures, which form the basis for sustainable and genuine development, naturally emerge through interdependency. As a result, this research was conducted with a qualitative approach to reexamine the themes of nation-building on the path to sustainable development in Iran. The research method employed thematic analysis based on Clarke and Braun's (2006) model. The data collection instrument comprised semi-structured and in-depth interviews, which were analyzed using open and axial coding. The research population consisted of academic experts in the field of management, with data reaching saturation level after 12 interviewees. Validation was ensured through member checking and external audits. The results reveal that nation-building, as an overarching theme in the path to sustainable development in government organizations, consists of two themes: drivers and inhibitors of nation-building, comprising 83 components as major themes. This process aims to foster solidarity and cooperation between people and different organizations, with the goal of achieving sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental levels. It serves as a strategy to strengthen solidarity, unity, and national cooperation, ultimately reducing conflicts based on commonalities rooted in mutual national interests.