Designing an Alevi Governance Model at the National Level Using a Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

The objective of this study was to design and conceptualize a native Alevi governance model at the national level based on systematic analysis of religious texts and expert experiences, in order to provide a practical framework for improving governance quality and addressing structural and functional challenges in public administration. This qualitative study employed a grounded theory methodology. Data were collected through content analysis of religious texts, particularly Nahj al-Balagha, and semi-structured interviews with 20 governance experts selected through purposive sampling based on scientific, professional, and experiential criteria. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2020 software, following open, axial, and selective coding procedures to identify core categories and their relationships. Inter-coder reliability was assessed using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.837, indicating high reliability. To enhance validity, researcher triangulation was employed to ensure consistency and credibility of findings. The findings indicated that managers’ religiosity and piety functioned as the fundamental causal condition for the emergence of Alevi governance. The core category consisted of three key components: rule of law, explicit accountability, and managerial trustworthiness. Contextual conditions included cultural infrastructure, organizational process effectiveness, and educational investment, while managers’ cognitive competencies and ethical orientation served as intervening conditions. The main governance strategies included justice-centered management, participatory management, and alignment of individual and organizational goals. The implementation of these strategies resulted in significant outcomes, including reduction of administrative corruption, increased public satisfaction, establishment of meritocracy, administrative system transformation, and enhanced employee satisfaction. The study demonstrated that the Alevi governance model represents a comprehensive, multidimensional, and indigenous governance framework integrating ethical, religious, and managerial principles. This model provides a strategic and applicable approach for enhancing transparency, accountability, organizational justice, and administrative effectiveness, and offers a viable governance paradigm for improving public sector performance and strengthening governance systems.