Management Studies in Development and Evolution

A Phenomenographic Exploration of Ways of Experiencing Self-Compassion Among Public Sector Employees

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

hamidreza bayat 1
Alireza Koushki Jahromi 2
Shams Al-Sadat Zahedi 3
Vajhollah Ghorbanizadeh 2

1 PhD Student in Public Administration, Allameh Tabataba’i University,

2 Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, Allameh Tabataba’i University

3 Professor, Department of Public Administration, Allameh Tabataba’i University

https://doi.org/10.22054/jmsd.2026.91924.4792
Abstract
The present research was conducted with the aim of explaining the diversity of employees' lived experiences and exploring the structure of their awareness regarding the phenomenon of self-compassion in public organizations.This study was implemented relying on the "phenomenography" strategy.Data were collected through interviews with 23 participants using the purposeful sampling method and snowball technique and were analyzed using the Sjöström and Dahlgren's seven-step analysis model.The findings led to the identification of seven descriptive categories: agency, adaptability, flexibility, self-awareness growth an learning,adherence to principles,and self-kindness.These categories were organized in the "outcome space" of the research in the form of a three-level structure consisting of the layers of: internal foundations ,psychological capabilities and agency,and ethical orientation.The fundamental innovation of this study lies in the design of the "indigenous and evolutionary model of self-compassion manifestation";a model that ,shows self-compassion in bureaucratic structure is strategic resource that liberates employees from the trap of passivity and drives them toward responsible agency.the results showed that this phenomenon is the primary catalyst for rebuilding professional capability in the face of failures.Accordingly,the necessity of re-architecting human resources through the transition to facilitative leadership and replacing monitoring systems with growth-oriented evaluations to institutionalize a safe learning space was highlighted.

Keywords

Self-compassion
Phenomenography
Public organizations
Lived experience
Subjects
Management Studies in Development and Evolution

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 July 2026

  • Receive Date 08 April 2026
  • Revise Date 30 June 2026
  • Accept Date 22 July 2026

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