Explaining the Downsizing Model of State-Owned Enterprises in Iran (Case Study: Sistan and Baluchestan Regional Electric Company)

Abstract

With the excessive expansion of governments, substantial costs have been imposed on the administrative systems and public management structures of various countries. Consequently, government downsizing has emerged as one of the primary policies and strategic programs aimed at reducing the size of government and controlling public expenditures, attracting the attention of policymakers and scholars. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the objective of explaining a downsizing model for state-owned enterprises in Iran. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach and was carried out in two qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, the study population consisted of academic experts and managers of state-owned enterprises who possessed either research or practical experience in the field of state-owned enterprise downsizing. Sampling was conducted using purposive sampling and theoretical saturation. Accordingly, theoretical saturation was achieved after 17 interviews, and data were analyzed using the coding method proposed by King and Horrocks. Furthermore, to validate and assess the fit of the research model, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed using SPSS version 19 and SmartPLS version 3 software. The quantitative study population consisted of managers, experts, and employees of the Sistan and Baluchestan Regional Electric Company. Based on Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 148 participants was determined. As a result, 24 interpretive codes identified during the thematic analysis phase were classified into six main dimensions within the framework of the proposed research model. In addition, the findings of the quantitative phase supported the study hypotheses, confirmed the adequacy of the proposed model, and demonstrated an acceptable model fit.