Pathology of the Implementation of Privatization Policies in Iran

Objective:Privatization is considered as one of the most important components of new public management with its pros and cons. However, privatization has been accepted and implemented as a policy in the whole political and economic system of Iran, but the barriers and dysfunctions of privatization policy implementation has reduced its effectiveness and efficiency in solving the problems of the Iran. In order to address this issue, this paper seeks to identify the barriers of successful implementation of privatization in Iran. Methods: This research has been carried out using thematic analysis method and the data were collected using semi-structured interviews with specialists, managers and experts in the field of privatization, who were selected through snowball sampling method. Results: Data analysis resulted in the formation of 218 primary codes, 94 sub-themes and 15 main themes including: inefficient and unproductive transfer mechanisms, structural weaknesses and low private sector incentives and power, inappropriate supply and demand mechanism, weak evaluation mechanism, lack of prospective views, cultural weaknesses, psychological weaknesses, capitalist logic, poor financial support to the private sector, indiscipline of public financial policies, the activity and dominance of quasi-governmental organizations in the economy, non-competitive environment of the national economy, excessive governmental intervention in the economy, the inappropriate formulation and implementation of laws and regulations, lack of alignment in the decisions and actions of responsible Institutions. Conclusion: Despite many efforts, the incomplete, non-scientific and politically-driven implementation of privatization in Iran has led to the decline of its benefits and intensification of its disadvantages to the country.