Journal of Strategic Management Studies

Journal of Strategic Management Studies

Presenting an organizational security model on the path to business sustainability using thematic analysis method

Document Type : Research

Authors
Mohammadsaber Shahrestani 1
Hosein Vahidi 2
Fatemah Nabavinezhad 1
1 MA. graduated, Malik Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Malik Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
10.22034/smsj.2025.495881.2099
Abstract
Introduction
In the contemporary volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) business environment, the pursuit of organizational sustainability has transcended traditional performance metrics. While substantial scholarly attention has been directed toward organizational growth strategies and competitive advantage, a critical lacuna remains in the literature: the fundamental role of “organizational security” as a foundational pillar for strategic development. Organizational security is not merely a defensive function; it encompasses a comprehensive ecosystem of policies, risk-mitigation processes, and strategic measures designed to safeguard an organization’s tangible and intangible assets, intellectual capital, sensitive information, and human resources. As organizations operate within increasingly complex supply chains and digital landscapes, they face an unprecedented array of threats—ranging from industrial espionage and cyber-attacks to the attrition of critical talent and complex financial volatility. Surprisingly, many organizations treat security as a peripheral, technical concern rather than a strategic imperative. This study seeks to bridge this gap by proposing a holistic framework that enables organizations to identify, assess, and neutralize multifaceted threats. By conceptualizing security as an integrated strategic capability, this research provides a roadmap for organizations to transition from reactive protection to proactive resilience, thereby ensuring long-term viability and sustained competitive positioning in a turbulent marketplace.
Methodology
The current study employs a qualitative, applied-developmental research design, characterized by its exploratory nature. Given the complexity of organizational security and the need for deep, context-specific insights, a field-based approach was adopted. Data collection was facilitated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with a panel of 56 high-level experts. These participants were selected through purposeful sampling from six distinct, mission-critical domains, ensuring a multidisciplinary perspective—including information technology, human resources, financial management, legal affairs, and operational management. The analytical phase of the study adhered to the rigorous systematic content analysis methodology established by Braun and Clarke (2006). This process involved a multi-stage coding procedure: initial open coding to capture raw concepts, followed by axial coding to identify relationships, and finally, selective coding to synthesize core thematic categories. To ensure the reliability and validity of the research, the principle of theoretical saturation was strictly observed, ensuring that data collection continued until no new conceptual insights emerged from the participants’ discourse. This iterative process allowed for the transformation of granular data into a robust, conceptually grounded model of organizational security.
Results and Discussion
The rigorous thematic analysis of the interview transcripts yielded 127 initial codes, which were subsequently refined and integrated into 37 sub-themes and 6 overarching dimensions of organizational security. These dimensions—Physical Security, Cybersecurity, Operational Security, Financial Security, Human Resource (HR) Security, and Legal Compliance—collectively form the bedrock of the proposed security model. The findings indicate that these dimensions are highly interdependent. For instance, while cyber security protects digital infrastructure, it is inextricably linked to HR security (e.g., mitigating insider threats) and operational security (e.g., ensuring business continuity in the event of system failures). Financial security, on the other hand, acts as the overarching framework that sustains these measures, while legal compliance provides the normative boundary. The study posits that security should no longer be viewed as a siloed function. Instead, the extracted themes suggest that organizational resilience is a systemic property emerging from the integration of these six areas. Leaders who prioritize this multidimensional security posture are better positioned to mitigate risks such as intellectual property theft, hacking, talent poaching, and financial mismanagement, all of which pose existential threats in the modern era.
Conclusion
In the current global economic landscape, the traditional focus on gaining competitive advantage is insufficient if an organization lacks foundational security. This research highlights that negligence in any of the identified security domains—whether physical, cyber, operational, financial, human, or legal—can serve as a primary catalyst for organizational failure. The proposed organizational security model serves as a strategic imperative, advocating for a shift toward a culture of integrated security.
By proactively embedding these security dimensions into the core strategy, organizations can enhance their agility and ensure business continuity despite external shocks. Furthermore, the model provides practical insights for decision-makers to align their security investments with broader strategic goals, such as project stability, resource optimization, and regulatory alignment. Ultimately, this study asserts that organizational security is the prerequisite for growth. Only by creating a hardened, secure, and compliant internal environment can an organization successfully navigate the complexities of today’s market, securing not only its assets but its future.
Keywords
Keywords: Business sustainability
Business security
Organizational sustainability
Organizational security
Organizational threats
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  • Receive Date 25 December 2024
  • Revise Date 10 March 2025
  • Accept Date 17 May 2025