Identification and Explanation of Political Behaviors of Education Staff: A Mixed-Methods Study مقاله

چکیده:

Objective: This research investigated the political behaviors present within the Ministry of Education, aiming to identify the different types and their relative prevalence among employees. Methodology: The study employed a mixed-method approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. In the first phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen administrative staff members holding extensive experience (over 5 years) within the Ministry in Semnan city. Thematic analysis of these interviews provided a foundation for the development of a questionnaire. This questionnaire was then distributed randomly to a larger sample of 220 participants, encompassing both administrative staff and high school teachers within the Ministry of Education. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS2020 software to identify patterns and trends in the reported behaviors. Results: Seven categories of political behaviors emerged: image management (of others), organizational manipulation, preferential treatment, coalition building, undermining colleagues' competence, opportunistic behavior, and dominance displays. Image management was the most frequently observed behavior, while manipulation tactics were reported less frequently. Discussion: Interestingly, some participants in the study denied the existence of political behaviors within the Ministry. This suggests a potential blind spot or normalization of certain political tactics by some employees. The research also highlights the diverse range of political strategies employed within the organization. Further investigations are warranted to explore the motivations driving these behaviors and their potential impact on the Ministry's overall effectiveness and employee well-being.