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Volume 14, Issue 1 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2026)
Iran J Ergon 2026, 14(1): 41-50 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.EB.REC.1404.031
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Shokri M, Nasir Nateri J. Integrated Model of Municipal Employees' Efficiency and Performance Based on Transformational Leadership and Smart City Technologies. Iran J Ergon 2026; 14 (1) :41-50
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1132-en.html
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1132-en.html
1- Department of Management, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Educational Management, Farhangian University, Noshahr, Iran ,jafarnasrnateri@gmail.com
2- Department of Educational Management, Farhangian University, Noshahr, Iran ,
Abstract: (1745 Views)
Objectives: With the rapid expansion of smart city initiatives, municipal employees' productivity challenges have become a critical, organizational, and service delivery issue. This study aimed to design an integrated model of transformational leadership, smart city technologies, and organizational ergonomics to enhance the efficiency and performance of municipal employees in smart cities.
Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 elite experts and senior managers, and data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis (256 initial codes, 41 sub-themes, 4 main themes). In the quantitative phase, the conceptual model was tested through a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 238 employees from Tehran Municipality District 8 (96.36% response rate). Data analysis was performed using PLS-SEM in Smart PLS 4 software with 5000 bootstrap subsamples.
Results: Qualitative analysis identified 4 main themes, namely transformational leadership, smart city technologies, organizational ergonomics, and employee efficiency/performance. Quantitative results demonstrated excellent model fit (R²=0.78, Q²=0.56, SRMR=0.051, NFI=0.95). All three dimensions had significant positive effects on efficiency. Moreover, transformational leadership exhibited the strongest effect with a path coefficient of 0.46 (t=8.47, f²=0.42), identified as the primary predictor.
Conclusion: The integrated model of transformational leadership, smart city technologies, and organizational ergonomics provides an effective framework for analyzing and enhancing municipal employees' efficiency in smart cities. This approach is expected to improve service efficiency and citizen satisfaction. The findings underscore the need to shift from purely technology-driven approaches to a systemic, human-centered perspective integrating leadership, technology, and job design.
Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 elite experts and senior managers, and data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis (256 initial codes, 41 sub-themes, 4 main themes). In the quantitative phase, the conceptual model was tested through a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 238 employees from Tehran Municipality District 8 (96.36% response rate). Data analysis was performed using PLS-SEM in Smart PLS 4 software with 5000 bootstrap subsamples.
Results: Qualitative analysis identified 4 main themes, namely transformational leadership, smart city technologies, organizational ergonomics, and employee efficiency/performance. Quantitative results demonstrated excellent model fit (R²=0.78, Q²=0.56, SRMR=0.051, NFI=0.95). All three dimensions had significant positive effects on efficiency. Moreover, transformational leadership exhibited the strongest effect with a path coefficient of 0.46 (t=8.47, f²=0.42), identified as the primary predictor.
Conclusion: The integrated model of transformational leadership, smart city technologies, and organizational ergonomics provides an effective framework for analyzing and enhancing municipal employees' efficiency in smart cities. This approach is expected to improve service efficiency and citizen satisfaction. The findings underscore the need to shift from purely technology-driven approaches to a systemic, human-centered perspective integrating leadership, technology, and job design.
Keywords: Employee Efficiency, Organizational Ergonomics, Smart City Development, Transformational Leadership
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Received: 2025/12/26 | Accepted: 2026/03/25 | ePublished: 2026/03/25
Received: 2025/12/26 | Accepted: 2026/03/25 | ePublished: 2026/03/25
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