Participatory Environmental Policymaking in Iran: Developing a Paradigmatic Model through a Grounded Theory Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Management, Faculty of Management and Strategic Planning, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Jihadi Management Leadership, Faculty of Strategic Planning Management, Imam Hussein University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Transformation and Excellence, Faculty of Management and Economics, Imam Hossein Comprehensive University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Environmental policymaking in Iran, despite official rhetoric emphasizing stakeholder participation, continues to operate within centralized, state-dominated frameworks. The traditional state-centric approach has proven inadequate for addressing complex, multifaceted environmental issues, highlighting the need for constructive engagement among diverse actors in the policy process. This study aimed to develop a participatory policymaking model. Employing a qualitative approach, data were analyzed using grounded theory and Strauss and Corbin's (1998) three-step coding process. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 experts, selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Analysis yielded 141 concepts and 25 main categories, organized into a conceptual and paradigmatic model. The findings reveal that the core phenomenon of the model is the process of realizing participatory environmental policymaking in Iran, serving as the central link connecting all other categories. This model presents an indigenous framework for transitioning from government-dominated policymaking to a genuinely participatory, sustainable, and learning-oriented process. It provides a foundation for redesigning policies to align with the interests of all key environmental actors in Iran.

Keywords

Natural Resources Governance
Volume 2, Issue 4
December 2025
Pages 456-473

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