Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Human Resource Management in the Iranian Health System: A Mixed-Methods Study
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Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the effectiveness of human resource management in the Iranian health system, with Babol University of Medical Sciences as a case study.
Methods and Materials: This mixed-methods study used an exploratory sequential design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 experts and senior health managers selected through purposive and snowball sampling, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-made questionnaire based on the qualitative findings was administered to 384 managers and health-sector experts selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and Delphi rounds.
Findings: Qualitative analysis identified five main categories affecting HRM effectiveness: organizing and aligning human resources, meritocracy in managerial appointments, empowerment of managers and staff, retention and maintenance of human resources, and use of information and communication technology. In the Delphi phase, consensus increased across three rounds, with Kendall’s W rising from 0.35 in round 1 to 0.78 in round 3 (p = 0.001). The highest-ranked indicators were complete transparency in performance evaluation (mean rank = 4.78, SD = 0.42), low turnover rate of key employees (4.72, SD = 0.46), quick and reliable access to personnel data (4.65, SD = 0.50), fair distribution of allocated resources (4.59, SD = 0.48), and employee participation in decision-making (4.53, SD = 0.51).
Conclusion: Systematic attention to meritocracy, retention, empowerment, organization, and information technology can improve the effectiveness of human resource management in health organizations.
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