Identifying the Key Components of Multi-level Governance in Complex Organizations Using a Synthesis Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD. Candidate, Department of System Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Imam Hossein Comprehensive University, Tehran, Iran.

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

3 Assistant Prof., Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Economics, Imam Hossein Comprehensive University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Assistant Prof., Department of Systems Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jipa.2024.381854.3567

Abstract

Objective
In today's turbulent and rapidly changing world, adopting effective governance practices leads to improved organizational performance. Currently, organizations are influenced by several factors, including inflation, international and national instability, and the risk of diseases such as COVID-19. These factors contribute to the political, structural, and dynamic complexity of organizational growth and their surrounding environments. Achieving an organization’s vision and the realization of its strategies is not possible without prioritizing governance approaches. Managers must therefore regard governance as a central pillar for achieving organizational goals. As a result, various successful governance models have attracted the attention of researchers. The aim of this research is to identify the components of multi-level governance in complex organizations.
Methods
This research was conducted as a developmental study using documentary methods, content analysis, and meta-synthesis. The documentary and content analysis methods were used to explain the key components of multi-level governance in complex organizations. In the documentary methodology section, notes were taken from research sources related to the topic of multi-level governance. For the content analysis, existing studies and literature in this field were reviewed and organized with the input of researchers. Subsequently, a meta-composite method a qualitative synthesis technique was applied. A total of 361 articles related to multi-level governance were reviewed, and 67 sources (54 articles in English and 13 in Farsi) were selected for final analysis. To extract concepts and key components of multi-level governance, the traditional seven-step model of meta-synthesis proposed by Sandelowski and Barroso was used. These steps include: (1) setting the research question, (2) conducting a systematic review of the literature, (3) searching and accessing relevant sources, (4) extracting information from sources, (5) analyzing and synthesizing findings, (6) conducting quality control, and (7) presenting the findings. In the second phase of the research, Shannon's entropy was used to explain the significance and weight of the calculated components.
Results
The research findings in the area of identifying key components of multi-level governance in complex organizations include the dimensions of thematic, political, and structural complexity; growth and environmental dynamics; stakeholder agreement; policymaking capacity; and reform of macro strategies. Among these, the components of growth and environmental dynamics, as well as policymaking capacity, were found to have the greatest influence on effective multi-level governance.
Conclusion
Based on the research results, it is recommended that policymakers re-engineer organizational structures and processes through detailed planning. This should involve creating appropriate platforms, achieving consensus among various actors, fostering coordination among stakeholders, and continuously evaluating prioritized activities. In addition, formal and organizational evaluations are necessary to assess the extent to which multi-level governance is realized and to strengthen the leadership role within organizations. Limitations & Consequences: The findings of this research are presented solely in relation to the multi-level governance approach. Considering the diversity of Iranian organizations, other governance models such as participatory governance and network governance should also be considered in future studies.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Journal of Public Administration
Volume 17, Issue 2
2025
Pages 514-542

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