Innovation Management in Defensive Organizations

Innovation Management in Defensive Organizations

Designing a Pathology Model for Documenting Managers' Experiences; A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Tahmineh Khademi 1
Maryam Ruholamin 2
Ali Jokar 3
1 University Faculty, Instructor, Management Group, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran tahminehkh2022@pnu.ac.ir
2 University Faculty, Instructor, Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran m.rouholamin2022@pnu.ac.ir
3 Assistant Prof., Department of Management, Shahid Sattari University of Aeronautical Sciences and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/qjimdo.2025.526616.1752
Abstract
Background & Purpose: Documenting experiences is of great importance as one of the key strategies in preserving and transferring organizational knowledge, especially in defense organizations that face complex, sensitive, and dynamic environments. However, the process of documenting experiences in these organizations is accompanied by numerous challenges and obstacles that can lead to the loss of vital knowledge, rework, or a reduction in the effectiveness of future decision-making. The aim of this study is to design a model for diagnosing the pathology of the process of documenting experiences in one of the country's defense organizations.
Methodology: The present study is qualitative and conducted with a thematic analysis approach. The statistical population includes experts and individuals with experience in the field of documenting experiences in one of the country's defense organizations. Sampling was carried out purposively and with a theoretical adequacy criterion with a number of 15 people. Sampling was purposeful and based on the criterion of theoretical adequacy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Atride and Stirling three-stage coding method including basic themes, organizing themes, and overarching themes. In order to validate the findings, participant review, expert review, and data consistency were used.
Findings: Based on the analysis of interview data, 93 basic themes were categorized into 31 organizing themes and 8 overarching themes, including weak institutional and organizational structures in documenting experiences, inefficient documentation processes and procedures, cultural and motivational deficiencies in recording and transferring experiences, human resource challenges including competence, training, and transfer of tacit knowledge, weak technological infrastructure and knowledge management systems, lack of an evaluation and feedback system in documenting and using experiences, security restrictions and information classification in the documentation process, and communication barriers and interdepartmental interactions in exchanging experiences.
Conclusion: The research findings led to the identification of a set of themes that represent the barriers, challenges, and requirements for documenting experiences in defense organizations. Based on these themes, a conceptual model was designed that encompasses key dimensions of the pathology of this process. This model can provide a basis for policy reform, process redesign, and upgrading the knowledge management system in defense organizations.
Keywords
Documentation of Experiences
Organizational Pathology
Defense Organizations
Knowledge Management

Subjects

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