Identifying the Components of Sustainable Organizational Culture with a Social Responsibility Approach
Keywords:
Sustainable organizational culture, social responsibility, grounded theory, sustainable development, ethical leadership, cultural policymakingAbstract
The objective of this study is to identify the components of sustainable organizational culture with a social responsibility approach and to develop a conceptual model for its explanation within Iranian public service institutions. This study employed a qualitative methodology using grounded theory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers, employees, and cultural policy experts in Ilam Province. Sampling was purposive with snowball technique, and data analysis was conducted through open, axial, and selective coding procedures. A total of 745 open codes were extracted and classified into six main categories: core phenomenon, causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences. The core category was identified as “sustainable organizational culture,” encompassing elements such as ethical leadership, social responsibility commitment, transparency, stakeholder engagement, sustainability education, and local community support. The results suggest that establishing a sustainable organizational culture requires the dynamic interaction of structural, behavioral, and contextual elements. Success is achieved when sustainability is embedded in leadership practices, employee values, and organizational policies. The proposed model provides a localized framework for implementing sustainability in public institutions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Abdolsaheb Neiyazi (Author); Zolfaghar Rashidi; Esfandyar Mohammadi (Author)
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