Identifying and categorizing challenges of Talent Retention: Application of Q Method

Today, talent retention is critical for organizations. The purpose of this study is to identify and categorize the problems and challenges of talent retention in the oil company. In this regard, Q methodology was used as a mixed method. The participants were 20 elites of the organization. After collecting discourse of study, evaluating and summarizing, 119 Q phrases were selected. After a survey of experts (5), 47 Q phrases were finally selected. These data were then analyzed by Q factor analysis method and Distribution analysis led to identify 6 distinct mental pattern, which explained 73,656 percent of the total variance. thus, These six mental models are "organizational materialists", "organizational culturalists", "organizational promotionists", "organizational justice seekers", "effective organizational manageralists" and finally "organizational researcherists". Finally, some solutions have been proposed.