Presenting a Development Model for the Iranian Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company

Abstract

This study aimed to present a development model for the Iranian Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company using a qualitative grounded theory methodology. The study participants comprised 15 academic and industry experts in the fields of petroleum, information technology, and futures studies, who were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and documentary studies and were analyzed using the systematic three-stage coding procedure of open, axial, and selective coding. During open coding, 66 initial concepts were identified, which were subsequently organized into 26 main categories during axial coding. Selective coding resulted in the integration of these categories into a paradigmatic model of integrated and future-oriented development. The findings indicated that successful integration represents a multidimensional strategic transformation rather than a unidimensional technical project. Its success depends on developing new institutional capacities and a novel model of collaborative governance capable of simultaneously managing coordinated changes across technical, organizational, human, and environmental dimensions. As an indigenous framework with theoretical generalizability, the proposed model can provide policymakers and industry managers with a roadmap for the digital and sustainable transformation of critical infrastructure.