فصلنامه مدیریت دولتی
پیاپی 57 (بهار 1403)

The latest approach in budgeting is entrepreneurial budgeting, where strategic plans, motivational drivers, and accountability are integrated within the budget framework and connected to citizens as a whole package. The success of entrepreneurial budgeting is based on its previous performance budgeting, which requires articulating the mission, measurable objectives, performance actions for efficiency and effectiveness, and feedback loops for utilization through citizen satisfaction surveys and focused groups. Performance budgeting focuses on accountability and assigns responsibility to the heads of the organization and program managers. With sufficient accountability and performance indicators, policymakers can trust bureaucratic systems to decentralize budget spending authority. The budget is allocated to organization managers in a lump sum to manage it as they see fit. In return for this significant trust in government managers, it is expected that they provide evidence of success in their achievements based on their performance outcomes. In Iran and recent years, there has been a strong emphasis on moving towards budgeting based on performance budgeting, but generally, budgeting in Iran has usually been a combination of two types of budgeting, incremental and programmatic. It can be argued that due to the commonalities between performance-based budgeting and entrepreneurial budgeting, The endeavour towards entrepreneurializing the budget in the country not only does not conflict with past programs but will complement them. In the present study, initially, we seek to identify the obstacles to entrepreneurializing the government budget of Iran and secondly propose appropriate solutions.

The approach of this research is qualitatively analyzing the content by the analysis of data obtained from semi-structured interviews with 18 experts, practitioners, and stakeholders in public budgeting. In this research, initially, by using the library method and reviewing domestic and foreign books and articles, the theoretical foundations and research background will be examined. Then, the primary research data will be collected based on the research background and semi-structured interviews and the interview information will be coded.

Obstacles to entrepreneurial budgeting of the Iranian government fall into five legal groups (gap between budget and upper-level documents, inflexibility of laws, weakness of tax laws, lack of transparency, lack of review in budget-receiving organizations), regulatory (weak administrative structure, wrong organizational culture, lack of organizational entrepreneurship, lack of specialization and meritocracy, commandment of the system of nepotism). The legislative (relationship between parliament and government, structure of interests, technical competence of representatives, governance of local and regional perspectives), executive (oil rent, government inefficiency, technical and structural problems, governance of political and ideological perspectives, economic instability), and supervisory (traditional approach, multiple supervisory institutions, lack of universal supervision) have been classified; under each, the most important relevant issues are listed and explained

By analyzing the data obtained from interviews and reviewing and delving into the comprehensive themes, three components of governance structure, mismanagement of oil revenues, and weak domestic production and civil society can be identified as the roots of emerging problems and other obstacles in establishing entrepreneurial budgeting in the country. In this way, the solutions for establishing this budgeting system in the country pass through solving these issues.

Demand Side Management (DSM) in electricity energy is a pivotal strategy for governments aiming to effectively control the timing and amount of energy consumption during critical periods of peak load. While consumers from various groups play a crucial role in the efficacy of DSM, the majority of DSM programs have traditionally focused more on technical aspects, such as the development of intelligent networks or the implementation of smart metering systems. This study, however, aims to shift the focus towards the social aspect of DSM strategy by conducting a thorough analysis of consumer capacities in successful DSM programs. It seeks to develop an innovative model for Demand Side Management in the electricity sector, integrating a collaborative governance framework into its core. This research is both developmental in nature and applied in terms of its specific objectives.

This comprehensive study unfolded in two distinct stages. The qualitative stage, rooted in a constructivist approach to grounded theory, involved the development of a DSM model. This model emerged from a coding process applied to data obtained through semi-structured interviews with academic and executive experts across universities, government bodies, and the private sector. These experts were meticulously selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods, and the interviewing process was continued until theoretical saturation was attained. A total of 19 interviews were conducted, culminating in a DSM model that takes into account the unique situations and complexities characteristic of Iran’s electricity sector. The quantitative stage aimed to validate the DSM model from the first stage. For this purpose, experts from Iran’s power ministry were invited to provide their insights on the model through a specially designed questionnaire, which was formulated based on the variables of the model. The data thus gathered were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and SMART-PLS software. The sample comprised 198 individuals, determined as statistically significant according to the Cochran formula, with participants chosen via simple random sampling.

The study's findings highlighted four critical variable categories pertinent to DSM governance: Initiative Conditions, Governmental Strategies, Collaborative Cycle, and Consequences. Each category comprised three essential components, underscoring the complexity and multi-faceted nature of effective DSM governance.

The outcomes of this study underscored the significant role that a collaborative framework plays in the success of DSM programs, particularly under specific and important conditions. The strategies employed by Iran’s power ministry were found to be integral, serving as a key moderating force in aligning DSM programs with the diverse motivations of various consumer groups, encompassing both financial and technical drivers. Moreover, the study revealed that not only do governmental strategies contribute significantly, but the collaborative cycle among consumers also plays a pivotal moderating role in realizing the goals of DSM. This includes effectively reducing peak load during periods of high electricity consumption. Additionally, this collaborative cycle was shown to enhance Initiative Conditions, fostering improved interaction among diverse groups of electricity consumers in DSM programs and defining a clear, structured process for cooperation. Ultimately, the study strongly supports the argument that incorporating the social aspect into DSM can significantly bolster the effectiveness of its programs, offering a more holistic approach to managing energy demand.

This study was conducted with the goal of designing a policy-making model for sports in Iran, with a focus on the development of 'sport for all'. In terms of purpose, this study is classified as applied research, as it encompasses practical aspects for various organizations related to sports and health, in addition to providing awareness and scientific insights. Furthermore, this research is exploratory in nature, as it aims to design a model on a novel and innovative topic.

A mixed qualitative-quantitative method was employed in this study. The qualitative component was conducted using a situation analysis approach, which is one of the methods of grounded theory. The qualitative research involved interviewing experts; thus, 12 experts in the fields of policy making and sport management were interviewed. These experts were either professors or managers of organizations related to sports, possessing over a decade of executive and decision-making experience. Sampling was carried out using targeted and snowball methods. The quantitative section utilized interpretative structural modeling, an approach based on expert opinions, effective for exploring qualitative variables with mutual effects at various levels of importance.

After an in-depth examination of the interviews and the data obtained, each interview was analyzed individually to extract initial codes. Subsequently, concepts and categories were developed. Messy situational maps, ordered situational maps, and social worlds/arenas maps were identified. The primary categories of the sport policy-making model in Iran for the development of 'sport for all' include contextual factors, mediating factors, role players and influential institutions, executive requirements, environmental complexities, risks, legal problems, external organizational factors, costs and expenses, and interorganizational challenges. With the aid of interpretive structural modeling, conceptual modeling was conducted. Role players and influential institutions emerged as the most significant factors in Iran's sport policy-making process, possessing the highest influence and the least dependence compared to other factors.

Given that 'sport for all' should be elevated to the level of the country's macro policies, and its development and progress should be approached as a complex issue, the policy for the development of 'sport for all' becomes especially important. Policymakers should give it significant attention. Role players and influential institutions in Iran's sports policy-making process require substantial coordination due to their numerous connections and conflicts. In Iran, 'sport for all' and organized recreation have received limited attention, and currently, there is no mechanism for monitoring sports policies and their continuous implementation. Therefore, it is recommended to implement a national physical activity monitoring plan based on a comprehensive and electronic system. Since the involvement of managers and executives, as well as their cooperation with policymakers in the policy formation process, is crucial, policymakers should be as involved as possible in the implementation process. Additionally, conditions should be facilitated to enable the private sector to effectively engage in this field.

Open policy making represents an innovative and modern approach for governments to create and deliver policies that are effectively aligned with the rapid changes and evolving demands of a fast-paced, digital world. This approach is emerging as a vital and progressive methodology in the field of government administration, particularly in the era of information technology and global connectivity. The anticipated outcomes of adopting open policy making are manifold. They include achieving more optimal policy adoption through collaborative efforts, garnering robust stakeholder support for the implementation of desired policies, enhancing access to critical data for both elites and the general public, significantly increasing public participation in the policy-making process, and substantially boosting public trust in governing institutions, such as the Shura Council. Within this framework, the current research is specifically focused on developing a comprehensive open policy framework tailored for the Parliament of Iran, aiming to modernize and improve its policy-making processes

This research is grounded in the interpretative paradigm of the philosophical foundations of research and is applied in nature. It utilizes a mixed-methods approach for data collection. The target population encompasses all scientific experts in public policy (including faculty members of universities and research institutions with expertise in decision-making and public policy) and executive experts (including current and former members of the Parliament). Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews, library research, and literature review for the qualitative part, and questionnaires for the quantitative part. Using snowball sampling, 22 exploratory and in-depth interviews were conducted with scientific and executive public policy experts. In the quantitative phase, 44 individuals were selected through stratified probability sampling. Grounded theory and Maxqda10 software were used for data analysis in the qualitative part, while the structural equation modeling approach was applied in the quantitative part.

Data analysis identified the general dimensions and preconditions of the open policy model, along with the components and elements constituting its main dimensions, including understanding the problem, developing solutions, compiling, and evaluating. Quantitative findings demonstrate the positive and significant effect of transparency, a key dimension of open policy, on problem understanding, solution development, formulation, and evaluation. Similarly, public participation significantly impacts problem understanding, solution development, formulation, and evaluation. The results also highlight the direct and meaningful impact of cooperation, another general dimension of open policy, on these aspects. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that understanding the problem positively and significantly affects solution development, which in turn influences formulation and evaluation.

Given the fundamental principles of transparency, participation, and cooperation, the implementation of the open policy model is essential and highly beneficial for strengthening the overall performance of the Parliament. By embracing this model, the Parliament can significantly enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its legal roles, while also fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach in its governance. This adoption not only aids in decision-making processes but also ensures greater accountability and public engagement.

In today's rapidly evolving digital era, the prevalence of smartphone usage among individuals in various contexts, including both social and professional environments, is witnessing a remarkable increase. This trend is particularly noteworthy in workplace settings, where smartphones have become universal tools offering numerous significant advantages. These benefits range from improved communication and accessibility to vital information to enhanced productivity and collaborative opportunities. However, alongside these advantages, the use of smartphones in professional contexts is also associated with a range of potential drawbacks. These disadvantages can manifest in forms such as distractions, disruptions in work-life balance, and potential breaches of workplace confidentiality. A thorough review of literature focusing on the effects of smartphone use in work environments, particularly in Iran, has identified a notable research gap. Accordingly, this study aims to address this gap by comprehensively describing the effects of smartphone use in the workplace. Additionally, it seeks to propose viable solutions aimed at reducing the excessive use of smartphones in professional settings.

This applied research adopts a positivist philosophy and a comparative approach. It is a descriptive, survey-type study using a unique quantitative method. The research examines the status of variables and their interrelationships, utilizing an online questionnaire for data collection. The study's statistical population included 1700 employees from the First Companion Company, with 313 responding to the online questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27 and Smart PLS 3 software.

The overarching importance of technology in modern life, particularly the role of smartphones, is undeniably significant. The advantages of smartphone use are multifaceted, prominently including their role in facilitating communication and enhancing understanding of work-related tasks. Employees find smartphones indispensable for their daily work interactions and responsibilities. However, the challenge of maintaining a psychological separation from work and phone use is significant. This challenge often leads to a pervasive feeling of constant connection and escalating work pressure, which can adversely affect employees' work-life balance. The resultant anxiety and stress can be substantial, adversely affecting various aspects of work life. This includes detrimental effects on work attitudes, such as job attachment and the onset of job burnout. The findings of this study clearly indicate a positive correlation between the use of smartphones in the workplace and the increase in stress and job burnout. Additionally, the study explores how stress consequent to smartphone use impacts job relationships and contributes to job burnout.

The research findings indicate that the indirect effect of smartphone usage on job attachment, mediated by stress, is negatively significant. Conversely, the impact of smartphone usage on job burnout, with stress as a mediating factor, is observed to be positive. These results suggest that the use of smartphones, considering stress as a mediating variable, can lead to a reduction in job attachment among employees. Conversely, it can also contribute to an increase in job burnout. Lastly, the study concludes that smartphone use in the workplace positively influences job burnout, while its effect on job attachment is not significant.

The main premise of social identity theory is that some leaders represent their group's identity and thus prescribe what followers should think, feel and do as members of the group. In this regard, prototypical leadership refers to a leadership style in which the leader is regarded as a representative of group identity of the followers and reflects the standards, values, and norms shared by the group members, and distinguishing them from other groups. The concept of prototypical leadership, at least in indigenous research, is an under-research topic. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to investigate this concept in the statistical population of the research in relation to other variables in the field of leadership, namely leader effectiveness, perceived integrity of the leader, and leader-leader exchange.

In this research, the effect of prototypical leadership on leadership effectiveness was examined. In the meantime, the mediating role of perceived leader's integrity and the moderating role of leader-leader exchange in the relationship between these two variables were measured. The study is considered an applied research in terms of its purpose, and is a descriptive survey in terms of data collection method. The study's statistical population consisted of employees working in teams at a telecommunications and information technology services company. In other words, in this company, organizational processes were carried out in the form of teams consisting of several members, a team leader and a team manager. Standard questionnaires were used to measure research variables. A statistical sample of 293 individuals was selected based on the tests used and G-Power software. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling and partial least squares approach with Smart-PLS3 software.

Research hypotheses were confirmed except for the first hypothesis. The results of the research data analysis showed that prototypical leadership does not have a significant direct effect on the leader's effectiveness, but this relationship is established through the mediating role of the leader's perceived integrity. In other words, the relationship between prototypical leadership and leader effectiveness required a mediating link, and the perceived integrity of the leader as a mediating variable played the role of this mediating link. Prototypical leadership had a significant effect on the leader's perceived integrity, and the positive effect of the leader's perceived integrity on the leader's effectiveness was also significant. In addition, the research results showed that leader-leader exchange has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between prototypical leadership and the leader's perceived integrity.

In this research, the prototypical leadership variable was investigated as a concept that was not addressed in internal research, in the field of leadership and especially the leadership of work teams. The results of the research showed that this leadership style increases the effectiveness of team leadership through the perception of the leader's integrity and leader-leader exchange, and facilitates the application of leadership and its scope of inclusion. From a theoretical point of view, the present research, by introducing new variables such as prototypical leadership and leader-leader exchange, can be a suitable starting point for clarifying these under-researched concepts in the fields of organizational leadership and have a special contribution for conducting future indigenous research in this field.

Nestled amidst the Arasbaran protected areas, Kiamaki wildlife sanctuary, and Dizmar protected area, the Aras Free Zone is a region teeming with environmental diversity and ecological significance. However, this region faces significant environmental challenges, primarily due to the overlooking of environmental principles in its economic development processes. This neglect has hindered the realization of sustainable and integrated urban development, affecting everything from initial planning stages to the actual implementation of development projects. Goal: The Aras Free Zone, positioned in the northwest of Iran, serves as a critical conduit to the Caucasus region and Eastern Europe, thereby holding a pivotal role in fostering economic relations. This research is dedicated to the comprehensive management of the cities within the Aras Azad region, emphasizing a balanced approach to environmental management that encompasses the natural, human, and physical dimensions. The objective is to design a framework that facilitates integrated urban management, thereby promoting sustainable development in the area.

This study is foundational in its aim to devise an environmental planning model tailored for the integrated urban management of free zones, with a specific focus on the Aras Free Zone. Its practicality is underscored by the implementation of this model within the zone itself. The research surveyed a demographic comprising 290 managers, officials, and decision-making experts affiliated with the Aras Free Zone. Analysis was conducted across both public and private organizations within the zone, including the Free Zone Organization, Natural Resources and Environment Department, Housing Foundation, and Water and Sewage Department, among others. A random sampling technique was employed to select 166 individuals from the cities of Jolfa, Nordoz, Qolibeyglo, and Khoda Afarin. Data collection was conducted through both qualitative (library research) and quantitative (a researcher-designed questionnaire) methods, while data analysis utilized SPSS version 23 and Topsis Fuzzy techniques.

Crisis management planning within the region unveiled that all identified weaknesses and threats to integrated environmental management are perceived as significant pressures. Except for issues related to unemployment and the presence of unsafe urban spaces along with their consequences and the smuggling of goods or illegal trafficking, most pressures were deemed to be at a critical level, particularly in pre-crisis conditions. The application of the TOPSIS fuzzy test revealed key issues, such as the destruction of environmentally sensitive areas for economic development, land use changes detrimental to the environment aimed at job creation, and pollution caused by neighboring countries due to a lack of environmental stewardship among regional managers. These factors are classified as urgent environmental pressures requiring immediate attention.

The research outcomes are presented through two lenses: crisis management planning and contingency planning. The findings underscore the necessity of adjusting economic and social impacts for the integrated development of the Aras Free Zone's environment. This adjustment should be achieved through enhanced coordination between organizations, the establishment of a unified command structure, and the creation of collaborative platforms. Recommendations include fostering intra-organizational, institutional, and programmatic integration to address the identified challenges effectively. This comprehensive approach aims to pave the way for sustainable development within the Aras Free Zone, ensuring environmental integrity while promoting economic growth.