Challenges of Meritocracy in Iranian Management from the Perspective of Governance Development

Abstract

Historical experiences indicate that the progress and advancement of any society depend on meritocracy and the appointment of competent individuals and elites in its affairs. Meritocracy, as one of the fundamental principles of governance, plays a crucial role in achieving societal development and excellence. This study aims to analyze the challenges related to the meritocracy of managers in Iran from the perspective of good governance. The research was conducted using a meta-analysis method. In this approach, articles, dissertations, and scientific reports related to the topics of meritocracy and good governance in Iran were collected and analyzed. The challenges of good governance in Iran pertain to obstacles in the implementation of the rule of law, managerial accountability barriers, justice-oriented impediments, and constraints on citizen participation. Some of the meritocracy challenges in Iran include politicization, mismanagement, and an incorrect strategic culture. These obstacles are categorized into two groups: external organizational factors and internal organizational factors. Data analysis revealed that despite the emphasis of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the components of meritocracy and good governance, these concepts have not been practically implemented. This study identifies the challenges related to meritocracy and good governance in Iran and underscores the importance of reforms in the country's managerial and cultural structures. Decision-makers, instead of selecting competent individuals, tend to appoint those who can satisfy all stakeholders and adhere to social and ethnic obligations. This issue reflects the lack of practical realization of meritocracy in Iran’s management system. Ultimately, the study suggests the necessity of serious reforms in the managerial and cultural structures of the country to achieve meritocracy and good governance in the Iranian management system.