Exploring the Factors Behind the Failure of the Quality of Implementing Health, Safety, and Environment Policies in the Iran Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company

Kurosh  Zorvani; Mostafa Hadovinejad; Mohammad  Zia'aldin

Authors

Kurosh Zorvani Ph.d. Student, Department of Management, Raf.C., Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1781-1566
Mostafa Hadovinejad Associate Professor, Department of Management, Vali-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4569-2298
Mohammad Zia'aldin Department of Management, Raf.C., Islamic Azad University, Rafsanjan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5646-3841

Keywords:

Policy, Policy Implementation Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment Management, Iran Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company

Abstract

The existence and implementation of occupational safety and health policies are essential prerequisites for moving toward safety enhancement and the prevention of occupational accidents. The present study aimed to explore the factors contributing to the failure of the quality of implementing Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies in the Iran Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company. In terms of purpose, this study was fundamental–applied research conducted as a cross-sectional study in the winter of 2026. Data were collected using library research and the Delphi method. Through library studies, 45 factors were identified and extracted. Subsequently, a questionnaire was designed based on the findings of the first phase of the study, and experts were asked to determine the importance of each factor using verbal variables. The experts’ opinions regarding the identified factors continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The qualitative findings initially included the extraction of 45 factors associated with the failure of policy implementation quality. Subsequently, four factors were not confirmed, and based on the experts’ recommendations, three additional factors were added to the identified factors, resulting in a total of 44 identified factors. Then, in order to finalize the list of factors, the Delphi method and the t-test were employed. Ultimately, it was determined that the lack of independence of the Health, Safety, and Environment management unit was the most influential factor, whereas limited access to valid HSE theories and technologies had the least effect on the failure of policy implementation. Given that the lack of independence of the Health, Safety, and Environment management unit had the greatest impact, efforts toward granting greater independence to this unit may contribute to reducing occupational accidents.

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