Abstract
The purpose of this research is to conduct a analysis of key indicators affecting the establishment of a civil participation system within Iran’s Martyrs Foundation (Boniad-e Shahid) Organization. This study is applicable in terms of its objective, and is executed quantitatively with an inductive approach, based on the philosophy of positivism. The population under study consists of articles published in scientific-research journals concerning the establishment of a civil participation system for knowledge sharing, conducted domestically from 2009 to 2023. Sampling was performed based on the necessary criteria for the analysis process, and accordingly, 22 studies were selected. For data analysis, the analysis method and CMA (Comprehensive Analysis) software were used. The findings of this review indicate that the aforementioned variables act as key indicators of the civil participation system and have a reciprocal influence on each other. Strengthening these factors can lead to an improvement in the quality of civil participation and the creation of a democratic and sustainable society. In this regard, paying attention to these variables in social and economic policies and planning is of particular importance.
Introduction
Effective business in establishing a civil participation system refers to a set of activities and processes designed to promote societal engagement and strengthen social and economic cooperation. These types of businesses can contribute to achieving civil participation goals by creating suitable platforms, facilitating communication, and increasing public awareness. Civil participation means the active and effective involvement of individuals and groups in decision-making processes, planning, and the implementation of social and economic projects. This type of participation can include volunteer activities, membership in social organizations, and cooperation with government and private entities. Businesses can help strengthen civil participation by creating job opportunities, providing financial resources, and offering the necessary infrastructure. Participation is the foundation of civil society and will never lose its vital importance for a society that aspires to progress (Dashti, 2022). Participation is a human right that, in terms of its ultimate goal, leads to liberation and self-reliance, and in terms of its instrumental value, leads to the mobilization and engagement of human masses in the practical processes of social life. Participation is an essential and fundamental aspect of human development. It is the development of self-confidence, initiative, pride, activity, responsibility, and social cooperation (Ghafari, 2012). Civil participation refers to activities undertaken by ordinary citizens aimed at influencing societal conditions that affect others, outside the family and circle of friends. Individuals participate in society in several ways: they engage in political discussions, follow political issues, make financial contributions, and more. Individuals help others through volunteer work, thereby solving local problems or creating opportunities for specific groups in society (Thelma, 2024). The term "participation" has a historical root and background, as much as the term "democracy." Participation makes it possible for implemented policies to align with the real desires of the people, thereby enhancing and improving the quality of people's lives and preventing dissatisfaction (Hosseini & Ziaei, 2023). Civil participation, which in its broad sense encompasses various individual and group actions aimed at intervening in self-determination and societal destiny and influencing decision-making processes related to public affairs, has received significant attention in recent years in such a way that almost all development strategies mention participation as a key element (Sarookhani & Amirpanahi, 2006). This analysis can help understand the reasons for discrepancies among the findings of previous research. From an applicable perspective, this research can also assist managers in establishing appropriate and integrated infrastructure and prerequisites to facilitate the establishment of a civil participation system within the organization. In this regard, the research question is posed as follows: What are the key indicators of the civil participation system in Iran's Martyrs Foundation (Boniad-e Shahid) Organization?
Theoretical Framework
Civil Participation
The phenomenon of participation is the first social behavior observed in humans. The discussion of participation can begin with the self-evident principle that any historical experience of democracy has been shaped by the presence and intervention of various civil individuals, groups, and institutions; through the fulfillment of civic duty (Abassim & Esbati, 2021). Participation, especially civil one, is a broad concept whose tangible realization requires various individual or social activities that influence the decision-making and strategies of executive bodies, from lower levels (municipalities, educational systems, etc.) to higher levels (high executive, legislative, and judicial authorities) (Edrisi & Shojai, 2012).
Thelma (2024) examined civic education and citizen participation in local government. This study showed that civic education impacts citizen participation in local governance. A point to consider is that civic knowledge enables citizens to make correct decisions about their rights, which helps them understand their role in governmental systems. Furthermore, the study explored that when civic education is absent at all levels, citizen participation in local government cannot exist because citizens are not empowered. Therefore, this study recommends that civic education should be provided at all levels, from high school to community levels, to empower citizens.
Zarei & Roayaei (24) examined the jurisprudential aspects of civil participation contracts and analyzed their jurisprudential challenges using an ijtihadi (independent legal reasoning) method. The research results indicate that the most significant and fundamental jurisprudential challenge of this contract is the transformation of the jurisprudential nature of the partnership contract from a participatory contract to an exchange contract. In critiquing the contract’s provisions, 13 jurisprudential objections were raised, the most important of which include issues such as the client’s gratuitous management of company assets, the commitment to compensate for damages, the obligation for the client to purchase the company, responsibility for compensating losses arising from judicial action, pledging before the debt is proven, guaranteeing the trustee, and undertaking to pay potential costs. The most significant executive challenges include the risk of poor selection, supervisory problems, valuation of non-cash assets, and changes in economic conditions and market risk. In this regard, to resolve the aforementioned problems and optimally utilize the capacity of the participation contract, it was proposed that, by reforming the channels through which money enters the bank via contract amendments and training and briefing staff, managers, and the public; the channels for money entering the banking system should also be differentiated. This would increase the specialization of banks in specific areas and enhance the quality of their work.
Research Methodology
This research is applicable in terms of its objective, and quantitative in terms of execution method, with an inductive approach and a positivist philosophy. The population under study for this research consists of articles published in scientific-research journals in the field of establishing a knowledge-sharing civil participation system from 2009 to 2023, which have been conducted domestically. Sampling was performed based on the criteria required for entering the analysis process, and accordingly, 22 cases were selected.
Research Findings
To analyze the data, the analysis method and CMA software were used. The findings of this review indicate that the aforementioned variables act as key indicators of the civil participation system and have a reciprocal impact on each other. Strengthening these factors can lead to an improvement in the quality of civil participation and the creation of a democratic and stable society. In this regard, attention to these variables in social and economic policies and planning is of special importance.
Conclusion
The present research was conducted with the aim of a analysis of the key indicators affecting the establishment of the civil participation system in Iran’s Martyrs Foundation (Boniad-e Shahid) Organization. The results of this research are in line with the findings of the studies by Thelma (2024), Zarei & Roayaei (2024), Gonzalez-Mohino et al. (2023), Zarei et al. (2023), Hatami Khaljan et al. (2023), Alva (2023), Meysami (2022), Noroozi & Jalali (2021), Amouzad Khaili et al. (2018), and Mahmoudnejad & Omidghani (2013). Gonzalez-Mohino et al. (2023) believe that cooperation plays a vital role in institutional arrangements to encourage citizens’ participation. Likewise, structures and guidelines that facilitate the flow of information between citizens and the government increase participation. The researcher found that local managers can increase citizen participation by creating participatory structures such as neighborhood organizations. The socio-economic base (income, education, and civic orientation) has a deep relationship with the level of participation. Those with a higher base have more access to resources, better interpersonal skills, and more social interactions. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between civic orientation, especially the dimensions of self-efficacy and trust, and participation.
Based on the research results, the following suggestions are presented:
It is suggested to managers to implement desirable cultural changes to facilitate the implementation of programs in the Martyrs Foundation (Boniad-e Shahid) Organization and to provide a suitable platform for removing inappropriate cultural factors that are not aligned with the strategic plan. Also, in order to formulate and implement a desirable strategic plan in the Martyrs Foundation (Boniad-e Shahid), it is necessary to identify and explain the existing cultural factors, and also to make appropriate changes in the organizational culture so that it becomes a culture aligned and compatible with the new organizational requirements, thereby enhancing civil participation in the organization.