An alternative form of bureaucracy; the operational framework of the city’s governing authority

Mahyar Hassani ,Ataollah Rafiei Atani ,Mohammad Reza Hamidizadeh ,Mahdi Abdolhamid

doi:10.24294/jipd.v8i5.4278

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An alternative form of bureaucracy; the operational framework of the city’s governing authority

Mahyar Hassani

Ataollah Rafiei Atani

Mohammad Reza Hamidizadeh

Mahdi Abdolhamid

Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development 2024, 8(5), 4278; https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i5.4278

Submitted：17 Jan 2024

Accepted：23 Feb 2024

Published：28 Apr 2024

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Abstract

Background: The background and objectives of the research revolve around bureaucracy as a classic form of the modern division of labor, with Max Weber acknowledging its inevitability. However, the objective implications of the bureaucracy’s iron cage are evident in governance and management experiences. The mayors of Tehran’s districts exemplify how Iranian culture interacts with bureaucracy. This research seeks to establish principles and governance for district governors using an alternative bureaucracy, parallel to conventional bureaucracy. Methods: The methods employed include twenty strategically selected interviews, considering age, municipal area, and work experience for maximum variance. Grounded theory methodology, specifically the approach by Anselm Strauss and Barney Glaser, guides the research, employing open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. MaxQDA 2020 software enhances the qualitative data analysis, facilitating organization, coding, and collaboration within the research team. Results: Findings indicate “inevitable violations” as a common starting point for interviewees, leading to three axes: “preconditions,” “objectives,” and “strategies and mechanisms” of alternative bureaucracy. In conclusion, breaking through bureaucracy becomes necessary for governors to act. Alternative bureaucracy, rooted in experience yet considering the bureaucratic field, requires transcendent goals. Hybridity and ethical principles are crucial when transitioning from conventional bureaucracy to the alternative in urban governance.

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References

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