Developing a Paradigmatic Model of the Anxious Organization in the State Banking Industry (Case Study: Razavi, North, and South Khorasan Provinces)

Baghbanijavid, Alireza; Bahramzadeh, Hosseinali; Jalaei, Hamidreza

doi:10.48308/jcoc.2026.246598.1654

Developing a Paradigmatic Model of the Anxious Organization in the State Banking Industry (Case Study: Razavi, North, and South Khorasan Provinces)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

alireza baghbanijavid ¹

hosseinali bahramzadeh ²

hamidreza jalaei ¹

¹ Department of Management, AK.C., Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran.

² Department of Management, Boj.C., Islamic Azad University, Bojnord, Iran.

10.48308/jcoc.2026.246598.1654

Abstract

Environmental uncertainties and structural pressures, coupled with pervasive fear and defensive behaviors, have led to the emergence of the “Anxious Organization” phenomenon in state-owned banks. This study employs a qualitative Grounded Theory approach (Strauss and Corbin’s systematic design) to propose a paradigmatic model of this phenomenon.Data were collected via purposive sampling of 15 academic experts and senior bank managers across three eastern provinces (Razavi, North, and South Khorasan). Theoretical saturation was achieved at the 12th interview, with three additional interviews to ensure data adequacy. Through a three-stage coding process, 198 initial codes were reduced to 115 final codes, 25 sub-categories, and 12 core categories.The final paradigmatic model includes:Causal Conditions: External pressures, managerial instability, and capacity imbalances.Contextual Conditions: Managerial climate, IT infrastructure, and compensation systems.Intervening Conditions: Socio-regional complexities, governance constraints, and economic/budgetary uncertainties.Strategies: Multi-level accountability systems.Consequences: Individual, internal-organizational, and structural outcomes. The findings reveal that the “Anxious Organization” is a multifaceted phenomenon rooted in the interaction of structural, governance, and behavioral factors. This model offers a preliminary framework for reforming banking governance and fostering organizational resilience.

Keywords

Anxious Organization

State Banking Industry

Grounded Theory

Paradigmatic Model

Subjects