Document Type : Original Article
Authors
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1. PhD Student in HRM, Department of Management, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
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2. Department of Management Associate Prof, Faculty of Humanities, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
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3. Department of Management, Professor, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran:
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4. Department of Management, Assistant Professor, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
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5. Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Economics and Accounting, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract
Background & Purpose: Specialized human resource planning in digital technologies, due to their rapid evolution, has become a critical organizational challenge. This study aimed to identify the root causes of human resource planning challenges within the Digital Technologies Department of the University of Tehran, the university's core digital service provider.
Methodology: This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 18 managers and specialists (selected via snowball sampling until theoretical saturation). The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
Findings: Data analysis identified four primary root causes, ranked by their impact: 1. Inequity in compensation & benefits and labor market competition (25.25% of codes), leading to decreased motivation and retention; 2. Ambiguity in digital leadership and strategy (18.81%), causing operational instability and misalignment; 3. Deficiency in required expertise and skills training (15.6%), resulting in slow and difficult technology updates; 4. Organizational process and structural issues (15.35%), constraining recruitment and promotion. Collectively, these issues have led to diminished employee morale, increased turnover of specialists, and weakened organizational innovation and transformation capacity.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the necessity for a fundamental revision of the compensation system, the formulation of clear digital strategies, sustained investment in training, and the restructuring of organizational processes to retain skilled personnel and accelerate digital transformation in the University of Tehran and similar institutions.
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