Journal of Iranian Public Administration Studies

Journal of Iranian Public Administration Studies

Moving Towards a Flat Organizational Structure in the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Master's student in Public Administration, Faculty of Management, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor of Public Administration Department, Faculty of Managementm, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor of Public Administration Department, Faculty of Managementm, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jipas.2025.474000.1727
Abstract
Purpose: Organizations require structures aligned with environmental changes and internal needs to achieve their goals. Tall and hierarchical structures, characterized by centralized power, complexity, and high levels of formalization, often reduce organizational agility, slow decision-making, diminish efficiency, and constrain creativity and innovation. In contrast, environmental dynamics, advances in information technologies, and the growing capabilities of human resources have facilitated a shift toward simpler, more flexible, and flatter organizational structures, which can enhance communication, accelerate decision-making, and improve organizational effectiveness. In public organizations, the proliferation of managerial layers and the dominance of bureaucracy constitute major challenges, leading to increased administrative costs, reduced employee participation, and lower client satisfaction. The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, as an independent public organization, operates within a centralized and hierarchical structure, and existing reports and evidence underscore the necessity of revising this structure and moving toward a flatter model. Moreover, upstream administrative policy documents emphasize agility, the reduction of managerial levels, and improved effectiveness. Accordingly, considering the specific characteristics, missions, and constraints of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, and addressing the existing research gap, this study aims to identify the factors influencing the establishment of a flat organizational structure in this organization.
Methodology: This study adopted a mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through purposive sampling and 22 in-depth interviews with organizational and academic experts until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the Attride–Stirling thematic network approach. The trustworthiness of the findings was ensured using the four criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population consisted of 1,350 employees of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, from whom 300 participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on rules of thumb for sample size determination. The research instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire with confirmed face validity and reliability. Structural equation modeling using the partial least squares (PLS) approach was employed to test the proposed model.
Findings: Through thematic content analysis, 188 initial codes were extracted from the interview data. These codes were subsequently synthesized into 46 concepts, which were categorized into five main dimensions. The qualitative model identified five key factors influencing the establishment of a flat organizational structure: managerial, human, job-related, organizational, and environmental factors. To validate the effectiveness of the model derived from the qualitative phase, second-order confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the human factor (factor loading = 0.88), organizational factor (factor loading = 0.87), job-related factor (factor loading = 0.84), environmental factor (factor loading = 0.82), and managerial factor (factor loading = 0.72) all have positive and significant effects on the flat organizational structure.
Conclusion: The findings provide a localized and evidence-based framework for redesigning the organizational structure of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization toward a flatter configuration. The results suggest that managers can facilitate the reduction of hierarchical levels, strengthen delegation of authority, improve work processes, and enhance employee participation by focusing on human, organizational, job-related, environmental, and managerial factors—particularly by prioritizing human and organizational dimensions. Implementing this model can enhance organizational agility, accelerate decision-making, reduce administrative costs, and improve service quality. Furthermore, it offers a scientific foundation for structural reform and agility-oriented initiatives in similar public sector organizations.
Keywords

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  • Receive Date 18 March 2025
  • Revise Date 12 June 2025
  • Accept Date 27 June 2025