Studies in Public Service Administration

Analyzing the challenges facing the implementation of industrial licensing policies. Case study: Petrochemical industry.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

reza bastami
mahdi mortazavi
rashid ghanei

Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22054/spsa.2026.91733.1132
Abstract
The aim of the research is to identify and analyze the challenges of policy implementation in the licensing process in the petrochemical industry using a mixed method. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 6 experts consisting of managers and specialists with at least 5 years of direct experience in obtaining licenses in the petrochemical industry, who were selected using a snowball sampling method, and thematic analysis led to the identification of 4 organizing themes and 15 basic themes. In the quantitative phase, the themes were agreed upon after two rounds of expert surveys and quantitative analysis using the Fuzzy Delphi method. The most important challenge identified was “insular performance and conflict of interest among relevant institutions”. The findings reveal structural and process challenges affecting the efficiency of licensing policies in the implementation phase and provide solutions based on the findings to improve licensing and development in the petrochemical industry.

Keywords

public policymaking
industrial licensing
petrochemical industry
national licensing portal
fuzzy delphi method
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Studies in Public Service Administration
Volume 4, Issue 11
Winter 2026
Pages 51-84

  • Receive Date 27 April 2026
  • Revise Date 31 May 2026
  • Accept Date 07 June 2026

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