دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 Digital Ecosystem Model for Developing Sports Philanthropic Partnerships مدل زیست‌بوم دیجیتال توسعه مشارکت خیّرین ورزشی 1 20 30229 10.22108/ecs.2026.147301.1160 FA آذر محققیان دانشجوی دکتری گروه مدیریت ورزشی و رفتار حرکتی، دانشکدۀ علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران محمد سلطان حسینی دانشیار، گروه مدیریت ورزشی و رفتار حرکتی، دانشکدۀ علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران Journal Article 2025 11 07 Introduction Philanthropy and charitable giving, as core components of Iran’s religious and national culture, have long played a fundamental role in fostering social dynamism, strengthening social capital, and developing public infrastructure. Donor participation, particularly in the field of sport, is recognized not only as a complementary mechanism to governmental resource provision but also as an independent form of civic engagement contributing to sport justice, public health promotion, and sustainable development (Amiri-Paryan et al., 2022). Beyond their tangible outcomes, such philanthropic contributions enhance social trust, collective solidarity, and institutional cohesion within society (Heydari-Fard & Sharifian, 2017). In recent decades, the rapid expansion of digital technologies has fundamentally transformed traditional patterns of philanthropy and social participation. Digital platforms, by reducing temporal and geographical constraints, have enabled large-scale resource mobilization, enhanced transparency, and facilitated active interaction among stakeholders, thereby giving rise to new forms of charitable engagement (Buser et al., 2022). Despite the growing body of research on sport philanthropy in Iran and the expanding literature on digital ecosystems within the sport industry, a systematic review of prior studies reveals that no research has specifically focused on designing a digital ecosystem model for developing donor participation in sport. Existing studies have predominantly examined traditional forms of sport philanthropy or have addressed digital technologies in isolation. Consequently, there remains a clear need for an integrated and context-specific framework capable of explaining the structured interaction among donors, sport organizations, and digital technologies. In response to this gap, the present study aims to design a digital ecosystem model for the development of sport donor participation. Methodology The present study is applied in terms of purpose and is qualitative in nature, employing thematic analysis as its primary research approach. The research population consisted of experts in the fields of sport management and philanthropy. Using purposive sampling with a maximum variation criterion, fourteen participants were selected to ensure diversity of perspectives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews designed around the perceptual, structural, and strategic dimensions of the digital ecosystem for sport donor participation. Following transcription, the data were systematically analyzed using MAXQDA software in accordance with the six-phase thematic analysis framework proposed by Braun and Clarke (2019). To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings, the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability outlined by Guba and Lincoln (1994) were applied. In addition, intercoder agreement based on the approach suggested by Stemler (2001) was employed to ensure the reliability of the coding process. Findings The findings of the present study were derived from a qualitative analysis of fourteen semi-structured interviews conducted with experts in sport management and philanthropy, including eight sport managers and six philanthropic practitioners. Thematic analysis resulted in the identification of twenty-four open codes with a total frequency of 245 occurrences, which were organized into six sub-themes and one overarching theme entitled the digital ecosystem for sport donor engagement. The highest frequency was associated with the facilitative role of the Ministry of Sport and sport-related institutions, while the lowest frequency was related to alignment with religious and national values. The theme of policy-making and institutional support highlighted the pivotal role of governmental bodies in facilitating donor participation through tax incentives, the establishment of legal frameworks for digital philanthropic platforms, and tripartite collaboration among public authorities, donors, and the technology sector. The theme of technological infrastructure emphasized the necessity of secure, transparent, and user-centered digital platforms, along with the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence to match donors with appropriate sport projects. In addition, philanthropic marketing and storytelling underscored the importance of showcasing tangible impacts, charitable branding, and the strategic use of social media. Furthermore, the theme of digital transparency and trust-building stressed online reporting, organizational accreditation, and digital monitoring mechanisms. The themes of motivational drivers and digital philanthropy culture pointed to the importance of strengthening both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, promoting public education, cultural institutionalization, and networking among sport donors. Overall, the final model conceptualizes the digital ecosystem for sport philanthropy as a dynamic, multi-layered structure in which governance, technology, and culture interact to enable sustainable donor participation. Discussion and Conclusion The purpose of this study was to design a digital ecosystem model for the development of sports donor participation in Iran. The findings indicate that this ecosystem comprises six organizing themes structured across three interconnected layers: governance and institutional support, operational–technological mechanisms, and motivational–cultural dimensions. At the governance level, supportive policies, tax facilitation, and transparent legal frameworks were identified as fundamental prerequisites for fostering tripartite collaboration among sport organizations, donors, and the technology sector. The operational–technological layer emphasizes the central role of secure, transparent, and data-driven digital platforms in enhancing trust, efficiency, and scalability of philanthropic engagement. Moreover, the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, enables intelligent matching between donors’ interests and the sport project's needs. At the motivational–cultural level, strengthening intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, fostering a sense of belonging, and aligning sport philanthropy with religious and national values were found to be critical for sustaining long-term participation. Overall, the results suggest that transitioning from traditional philanthropy toward an integrated digital ecosystem in Iranian sport requires simultaneous attention to governance, technology, and culture. The proposed model offers a practical framework for policymakers, sport institutions, and philanthropic organizations seeking to promote innovative and sustainable donor engagement. هدف این پژوهش طراحی مدل زیستبوم دیجیتال توسعۀ مشارکت خیّرین ورزشی در ایران بود. پژوهش حاضر از نوع کاربردی است و با راهبرد کیفی و به روش تحلیل مضمون انجام شده است. جامعۀ آماری این پژوهش شامل خبرگان و صاحب‌نظران در حوزه‌های مدیریت ورزشی و خیریه بود. داده‌ها از طریق مصاحبۀ نیمه‌ساختاریافته با ۱۴ نفر از افراد جامعه به روش نمونه‌گیری هدفمند گردآوری شد. فرایند نمونه‌گیری و جمع‌آوری داده‌ها تا رسیدن به نقطۀ اشباع نظری ادامه یافت. یافته‌های پژوهش نشان داد مدل زیستبوم دیجیتال خیّرین ورزشی از شش مضمون سازمان‌دهندۀ اصلی تشکیل شده است: سیاست‌گذاری و حمایت‌ها، ایجاد زیرساخت‌های فناورانه، بازاریابی و روایت‌سازی خیرخواهانه، شفافیت و اعتمادسازی دیجیتال، توسعۀ انگیزه‌ها و پیشران‌های خیّرین و ایجاد فرهنگ خیرورزی دیجیتال. این مضامین در سه لایۀ به‌هم‌پیوستۀ حکمرانی و حمایت نهادی، عملیاتیفناورانه و انگیزشیفرهنگی سازمان یافته‌اند که در تعامل پویا با یکدیگر، چارچوبی یکپارچه برای توسعۀ مشارکت خیّرین ورزشی ایجاد می‌کنند. مدل ارائه‌شده در این پژوهش می‌تواند به عنوان نقشۀ راهی برای سیاست‌گذاران، مدیران ورزشی و توسعه‌دهندگان پلتفرم‌های دیجیتال در راستای ایجاد، استقرار و تقویت زیست‌بوم دیجیتال خیّرین ورزشی استفاده شود.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30229_92bf9b75c82494c22a605b7d33d1fdc7.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 The Role of Philanthropic Participation in the Development of Sport and the Promotion of Youth Mental Health نقش مشارکت خیّرین در توسعة ورزش و ارتقای سلامت روان جوانان 21 40 30239 10.22108/ecs.2026.147458.1163 FA زهره موسوی استادیار گروه روانشناسی، دانشکدۀ علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران آذر محققیان دانشجوی دکتری گروه مدیریت ورزشی و رفتار حرکتی، دانشکدۀ علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران سجاد سلطان حسینی دانشجوی دکتری روانشناسی صنعتی و سازمانی، دانشکدۀ روانشناسی و علوم تربیتی، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران Journal Article 2025 11 16 Introduction In recent decades, mental health has increasingly been recognized as a fundamental pillar of sustainable societal development, with the World Health Organization emphasizing the inseparable relationship between mental health and overall public health. Within this context, young people, as key human capital and a driving force of development, are more vulnerable than other age groups to psychological disorders resulting from academic, occupational, and social pressures, as well as identity-related transitions. Global evidence indicates that mental disorders constitute one of the leading contributors to the burden of disease among individuals aged 15 to 29, and approximately 20% of young people worldwide experience at least one mental health problem annually (Ouali et al., 2025). In Iran, given the country’s youth-oriented demographic structure, domestic studies likewise report a considerable prevalence of psychological problems among this population. Contemporary approaches to mental health, particularly positive psychology, conceptualize mental health beyond the mere absence of illness and emphasize components such as well-being, positive social relationships, and a sense of meaning in life (Arslan, 2023). Within this framework, sport, as a multidimensional and social phenomenon, possesses substantial potential to promote young people’s mental health by strengthening social interactions, self-esteem, and psychological flourishing (Cowan & Taylor, 2016). Nevertheless, the development of inclusive sport requires resources and structural support that cannot be provided solely by the public sector. In this regard, the participation of sports philanthropists, as a form of social capital, can play a significant role in the development of sport and the enhancement of young people’s mental health. Despite this potential, the lack of integrated models that systematically explain these relationships represents a notable research gap. Accordingly, the main research question of the present study is: How does the participation of philanthropists contribute to the development of sport and the promotion of young people’s mental health? Methodology This study employed a qualitative approach grounded in Grounded Theory, utilizing the systematic approach outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1998). The aim of the research was to explain the role of philanthropists’ participation in the development of sport and its consequences for young people’s mental health based on the experiences and perceptions of participants. The study population consisted of experts in sport management, sports philanthropists, psychologists, and beneficiary youth. Sampling was conducted purposively and theoretically, and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. In total, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews lasted between 30 and 60 minutes, were audio-recorded after obtaining informed consent, and subsequently transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA software (version 20) through the three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings, the four criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln—credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability—were applied, and all ethical principles of research were fully observed. Findings Based on the Grounded Theory method using the Strauss and Corbin (1998) approach, a paradigmatic model of philanthropists’ participation in the development of sport and the promotion of young people’s mental health was developed in the form of a systematic framework. This model comprised a core category, causal conditions, strategies, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, and consequences, and was derived from 17 subcategories and 63 concepts. The findings indicated that the core category of philanthropists’ participation in sport development is dynamically interconnected with other categories. Causal conditions—including mental health needs, philanthropists’ capacities, and institutional neglect—were identified as key drivers of the central phenomenon. Five strategic actions (comprehensive support, networking, participatory planning, sport-based empowerment, and social advocacy), implemented in interaction with contextual conditions (socio-cultural context, sport infrastructure, and supportive policies) and intervening conditions (administrative barriers and financial and operational constraints), ultimately lead to desirable outcomes, such as the promotion of young people’s mental health, individual–social development of youth, and the development of sport. The results demonstrate how the dynamic interaction between philanthropists’ capacities and young people’s mental health needs, when guided by appropriate strategies, can contribute to the creation of sustainable social value. Discussion and Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that sport, as an effective socio-psychological platform, can play a significant role in improving the mental health of youth by reducing anxiety and depression, enhancing social vitality, strengthening social belonging, and promoting psychological resilience. This role is further strengthened and sustained through the purposeful participation of philanthropists. Key strategies identified as mechanisms for realizing this participation include comprehensive support, inter-organizational networking, participatory planning, sport-based empowerment, and social advocacy. However, administrative obstacles, financial constraints, and operational weaknesses challenge the effectiveness of these strategies, highlighting the urgent need for institutional reform, increased transparency, and the development of coherent supportive policies. Moreover, contextual factors such as the culture of philanthropy, sports infrastructure, and legal frameworks play a decisive role in the success or failure of philanthropists' engagement. Overall, the results demonstrate that philanthropists’ participation in sports development goes beyond a temporary supportive action and represents a strategic social investment that can lead to improved mental health, individual and social growth of youth, and sustainable sports development. These findings underscore the necessity for policymakers and sports managers to design institutionalized models for philanthropists’ engagement. Acknowledgment With utmost respect, sincere thanks, and appreciation are extended to all participants who generously contributed their time and valuable insights to this research. با توجه به اهمیت توسعة ورزش به‌ عنوان بستری برای ارتقای سلامت روان جوانان، پژوهش حاضر با هدف تبیین نقش مشارکت خیّرین در توسعة ورزش و ارتقای سلامت روان جوانان انجام شد. این پژوهش به روش کیفی و بر اساس نظریۀ دادهبنیاد رهیافت اشتراوس و کوربین (1998) انجام شد. با استفاده از نمونه‌گیری هدفمند و نظری، با 22 نفر از ذی‌نفعان شامل خیّرین ورزشی، جوانان بهره‌بردار، مدیران ورزشی و متخصصان روانشناسی ورزشی مصاحبۀ نیمه‌ساختاریافتۀ عمیق انجام شد. داده‌ها با استفاده از نرم‌افزار MAXQDA تحلیل شدند. مشارکت خیّرین در توسعۀ ورزش به عنوان مقولۀ محوری در تعامل با شرایط علّی (نیازهای سلامت روان، ظرفیت‌های خیّرین و غفلت نهادی)، راهبردهای (حمایت همه‌جانبه، شبکه‌سازی، برنامه‌ریزی مشارکتی، توانمندسازی ورزش‌محور و ترویج اجتماعی)، شرایط زمینهای (بستر فرهنگی-اجتماعی، زیرساخت ورزشی و سیاست‌های حمایتی)، شرایط مداخله‌گر (موانع اداری و محدودیت‌های مالی) و پیامدهای مطلوب (ارتقای سلامت روان، توسعۀ فردی-اجتماعی جوانان و توسعۀ ورزش) قرار دارد. این الگو که بر اساس 63 مفهوم و 17 کد فرعی استخراج شده است، روابط نظام‌مند مؤثر بر مشارکت خیّرین در توسعۀ ورزش و ارتقای سلامت روان جوانان را به ‌صورت یکپارچه تبیین می‌کند و می تواند به عنوان راهنمایی برای سیاست‌گذاران، خیّرین و مدیران ورزشی در طراحی برنامه‌های مؤثرتر به کار رود.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30239_90357fe5569387c8c5eaa5c9ea5e7f0b.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 Analyzing the Impact of Economic Freedom on Charitable Activism in Iran: Emphasizing the Mediating Role of Social Capital and Civic Participation تحلیل تأثیر آزادی اقتصادی بر کنش‌گری خیریه در ایران: با تأکید بر نقش میانجی سرمایۀ اجتماعی و مشارکت مدنی 41 62 30338 10.22108/ecs.2026.147147.1155 FA مصطفی کاظمی نجف آبادی دانشیار گروه اقتصاد، پژوهشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، پژوهشگاه حوزه و دانشگاه قم، ایران Journal Article 2025 10 26 Introduction Charitable activism constitutes one of the most important manifestations of social participation and collective action in contemporary societies. In addition to alleviating poverty and social harms, charitable activities play a complementary role in compensating for the financial and institutional limitations of governments. In Iran, charitable actions are deeply rooted in cultural norms, religious beliefs, and historical traditions; however, the effectiveness and sustainability of these activities within the context of the country’s institutional and economic transformations have rarely been examined in a systematic manner. The central research problem of the present study is how and through which mechanisms economic freedom affects charitable activism in Iran, and what role institutional and social variables play in this process. A review of the literature indicates that previous studies have mainly focused either on cultural and individual determinants of charitable behavior or on the direct effects of economic variables, while paying limited attention to mediating mechanisms. Accordingly, this study, with explicit attention to Iran’s institutional environment, investigates the impact of economic freedom on charitable activism through the mediating roles of social capital and civic participation. The significance of this research lies in providing a structural analysis of the linkage between the economy, institutions, and charitable behavior at the macro level. The main limitation of the study relates to the macro-oriented nature of the data and the use of proxy indicators for complex social concepts. The primary hypotheses of the research include the direct effect of economic freedom on charitable activism and its indirect effects through social capital and civic participation. Methodology This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive–analytical in terms of method, employing a quantitative approach. The statistical population of the study is Iran, and the unit of analysis consists of quarterly observations of the country’s macro-level economic, social, and institutional indicators. The data were collected as a quarterly time series covering the period from 2011 to 2024. The dependent variable, charitable activism, is measured using the number of registered and active charitable institutions. Active institutions are defined as organizations that, in addition to formal registration, have an active file and demonstrate continuity of operation in the databases of the Ministry of Interior or the State Welfare Organization. The main independent variable is economic freedom, calculated based on a composite index derived from internationally recognized institutions, namely the Fraser Institute and the Heritage Foundation. Two mediating variables are included in the model: social capital, measured by the per capita rate of judicial cases as an inverse indicator of social cohesion, and civic participation, measured by the number of events organized by non-governmental organizations. The data were collected from official domestic sources. To analyze the causal relationships among variables, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed using SmartPLS software. The reliability and validity of the measurement model were assessed using composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and factor loadings. Findings The findings indicate that the measurement model demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity. Composite reliability values for the constructs ranged between 0.82 and 0.91, and the average variance extracted for all latent variables exceeded 0.50, indicating adequate convergent validity. Examination of factor loadings showed that all indicators had loadings greater than 0.60, and discriminant validity was also confirmed. The results of the structural model estimation reveal that economic freedom has a direct and positive effect on charitable activism, with an estimated coefficient of 0.42. Economic freedom also exhibits a positive and significant effect on civic participation, with a coefficient of 0.47. Findings related to social capital show that economic freedom is associated with a reduction in social anomalies, with an estimated effect of −0.39, which implies an enhancement of social capital. Analysis of the pathways from social capital to charitable activism indicates that increased social capital strengthens charitable activism, with an estimated effect of −0.28. Given the inverse measurement of the social capital indicator, this result reflects a conceptually positive relationship between the two variables. The analysis of indirect effects shows that economic freedom affects charitable activism through social capital, with a magnitude of 0.109, and through civic participation, with a magnitude of 0.155. Overall, the total effect of economic freedom on charitable activism is estimated at 0.684, highlighting the central role of institutional and social mechanisms in explaining charitable activism in Iran. The model’s explanatory power was also evaluated at an acceptable level. Discussion and Conclusion The results of the study demonstrate that charitable activism in Iran is not merely the outcome of cultural or individual motivations but is significantly influenced by institutional and economic conditions. Economic freedom, by improving the institutional environment and reducing structural constraints, facilitates the enhancement of civic participation and the reduction of social anomalies, thereby strengthening charitable activities. The findings confirm that civic participation is one of the most important mechanisms through which economic conditions are transmitted to the domain of charitable behavior. Social capital, although measured inversely, plays a crucial moderating role in this relationship. These results are consistent with a substantial body of institutional and social literature, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of Iran’s specific contextual conditions. Overall, the study indicates that policies aimed at strengthening economic freedom, when accompanied by the development of civil institutions and the enhancement of social cohesion, can lead to the sustainable expansion of charitable activism. Achieving this goal requires coordination between economic and social policies, as well as a reassessment of the role of intermediary institutions within the country’s social welfare system. در سال‌های اخیر، با گسترش نقش سازمان‌های مردم‌نهاد در برطرف‌کردن خلأهای اجتماعی، بررسی عوامل مؤثر بر کنش‌گری خیریه در کشورهای در حال توسعه، به ‌ویژه ایران، ضرورتی انکارناپذیر یافته است. از سوی دیگر، چگونگی تأثیر ساختارهای اقتصادی بر رفتارهای داوطلبانه هنوز در فضای علمی کشور به ‌صورت دقیق تبیین نشده است. در این راستا، پژوهش حاضر با هدف بررسی تأثیر آزادی اقتصادی بر کنش‌گری خیریه در ایران، با تأکید بر نقش میانجی سرمایۀ اجتماعی و مشارکت مدنی انجام شده است. جامعۀ آماری این پژوهش کشور ایران بوده و واحد تحلیل، مشاهدات فصلی شاخص‌های کلان اقتصادی، اجتماعی و نهادی کشور ایران است. داده‌ها در قالب یک‌ سری زمانی فصلی طی دورۀ ۱۳۹۰ تا ۱۴۰۳ گردآوری شده‌اند. تحلیل داده‌ها با استفاده از روش مدل‌سازی معادلات ساختاری مبتنی بر حداقل مربعات جزئی (PLS-SEM) و نرم‌افزار SmartPLS نسخۀ ۳ انجام شده است. متغیرهای اصلی شامل کنش‌گری خیریه (تعداد مؤسسه‌های فعال)، آزادی اقتصادی (شاخص ترکیبی بنیاد هریتیج و فریزر)، سرمایۀ اجتماعی (نرخ پرونده‌های قضایی سرانه) و مشارکت مدنی (تعداد رویدادهای برگزارشده توسط سازمان‌های مردم‌نهاد) بوده‌اند. منظور از مؤسسه‌های فعال، نهادهایی است که علاوه بر ثبت رسمی، دارای پروندۀ فعال و استمرار فعالیت در سامانه‌های وزارت کشور یا سازمان بهزیستی هستند. این شاخص نمایانگر «کنش‌گری نهادی» و ظرفیت بالفعل‌شدۀ جامعه برای انجام فعالیت‌های خیریه است و نه لزوماً اثربخشی نهایی فعالیت‌ها. همچنین، نرخ پرونده‌های قضایی سرانه نمایه‌ای معکوس از انسجام اجتماعی و اعتماد عمومی محسوب می‌شود؛ به این معنا که افزایش پرونده‌های قضایی به ‌عنوان نشانه‌ای از کاهش سرمایۀ اجتماعی و ضعف حل‌وفصل غیررسمی تعارضات تفسیر می‌شود. از این ‌رو، شاخص یادشده با وجود محدودیت‌های ساختاری، روشی قابل قبول برای سنجش وضعیت سرمایۀ اجتماعی در سطح کلان کشور ایران است و تغییرات نهادی مانند شورای حل اختلاف نیز بر اعتبار این شاخص اثرگذاری محدود دارند. نتایج نشان داد آزادی اقتصادی اثر مستقیم و مثبت 42/0 بر کنش‌گری خیریه دارد. همچنین، این متغیر از طریق دو مسیر غیرمستقیم نیز تأثیرگذار است: از مسیر سرمایۀ اجتماعی با اثر 109/0 و از مسیر مشارکت مدنی با اثر 155/0؛ که هر دو اثر در سطح ۹۵ درصد اطمینان معنادار هستند. در مجموع، اثر کل آزادی اقتصادی بر کنش‌گری خیریه برابر 684/0 برآورد شد. مشارکت مدنی نقش میانجی تقویتی ایفا کرده و سرمایۀ اجتماعی، از مسیر کاهش ناهنجاری‌های اجتماعی، نقش واسطه‌ای مهمی در این رابطه داشته است. به‌ طور کلی، نتایج پژوهش بیانگر آن است که آزادی اقتصادی نه فقط موجب ارتقای شاخص‌های اقتصادی می‌شود، بلکه با تقویت فضای مشارکت و اعتماد اجتماعی، بستری مناسب برای رشد کنش‌های مدنی و خیریه فراهم می‌آورد. این یافته‌ها بر ضرورت توجه سیاست‌گذاران به پیوند متقابل میان سیاست‌های اقتصادی و توسعۀ نهادهای اجتماعی تأکید دارد.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30338_34f9056e58981ce40f169b4637201188.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 The Relationship Between Cultural Capital and Altruistic Action: An Empirical Study in the City of Yazd رابطۀ سرمایۀ فرهنگی و کنش ایثارگرانه؛ بررسی تجربی در شهر یزد 63 84 30452 10.22108/ecs.2026.148140.1173 FA سید علیرضا افشانی استاد گروه جامعه‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران علیرضا زارعی محمودآبادی پژوهشگر پسادکتری جامعه‌شناسی، گروه جامعه‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران یزدان کریمی منجرموئی دکتری جامعه‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران 0000-0002-5618-9506 Journal Article 2026 01 25 Introduction In contemporary urban societies, the gradual decline in voluntary participation and public‑good–oriented behavior has raised concerns regarding the sustainability of social cohesion and civic engagement (Bekkers & Wiepking, 2011). This challenge is particularly pronounced in heritage cities such as Yazd, where the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, tourism pressures, and tensions between long‑term residents and new actors require strong civic involvement. Within this context, social altruism—voluntary, other‑regarding actions in the public sphere—serves as an essential resource for maintaining solidarity and supporting urban governance. The literature highlights the significant role of cultural capital in shaping prosocial and civic behaviors. Drawing on Bourdieu’s (1986) conceptualization, cultural capital includes embodied, objectified, and institutionalized forms of cultural resources. These resources enhance individuals’ sensitivity to public issues, communicative competencies, and access to networks in which altruistic actions are formed. Additionally, research on prosocial behavior identifies several explanatory dimensions such as empathy, moral orientation, social identity, group belonging, internalized norms, civic participation, social cohesion, and communication processes in the public sphere (Habermas, 1987; Bekkers & Wiepking, 2011). Against this backdrop, the present study addresses a central question: To what extent, and through which dimensions, does cultural capital influence social altruism among citizens in the urban context of Yazd? his research fills a gap in the Iranian literature, where cultural capital is often examined in relation to education and inequality rather than as a structural resource for altruistic, public‑good–oriented behavior—particularly in a World Heritage city. Methodology This cross‑sectional survey utilized a structured questionnaire to examine the relationship between cultural capital and social altruism among residents of Yazd aged 16 years and older. A total of 379 participants were selected through multi‑stage cluster sampling, ensuring representation of diverse neighborhoods and social groups. Cultural capital was measured using an 18‑item scale reflecting Bourdieu’s (1986) three dimensions: embodied cultural capital (habitus, cultural competencies, and tastes), objectified cultural capital (engagement with cultural goods and spaces), and institutionalized cultural capital (educational credentials and related resources). Social altruism was measured using a 10‑item scale assessing voluntary and other‑regarding actions within the public sphere. Reliability analysis showed acceptable internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.76 for cultural capital and 0.81 for social altruism. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS. Descriptive statistics assessed overall levels of cultural capital and social altruism. Pearson’s correlation coefficients examined the relationships between cultural capital dimensions and social altruism. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) tested the hypothesized theoretical model, with fit indices and factor loadings reported at acceptable levels. Findings Descriptive results indicate that levels of both cultural capital and social altruism are below the midpoint of their respective scales. Correlation analysis reveals that overall cultural capital and all its subdimensions—embodied, objectified, and institutionalized—are positively and significantly related to social altruism (p < 0.001). This aligns with prior research emphasizing the role of cultural resources in enabling prosocial action. Among the dimensions, objectified cultural capital shows the strongest correlation, suggesting that exposure to cultural goods, events, and spaces has a particularly meaningful influence on altruistic behavior. SEM findings further support the hypothesis: all factor loadings exceed 0.50; the structural path from cultural capital to social altruism is β = 0.53, indicating a strong positive effect; and cultural capital accounts for 28% of the variance in social altruism (R² = 0.28). Overall model indices meet accepted standards. Discussion and Conclusion The findings offer empirical support for Bourdieu’s (1986) assertion that cultural capital shapes social action, extending this insight to social altruism in a heritage‑city context. In Yazd, cultural resources enhance individuals’ capacity to transform moral commitments into concrete social action, a pattern also emphasized in broader prosocial behavior research (Bekkers & Wiepking, 2011). The particularly strong influence of objectified cultural capital highlights the importance of continuous engagement with cultural goods, events, and spaces as mechanisms that cultivate civic sensitivity and normalize participatory behavior. These processes are also influenced by communicative dynamics within the public sphere, aligning with Habermas’s (1987) theory of communicative action. The study underscores the context‑dependent nature of cultural capital, as the ability to convert cultural resources into altruistic action is not evenly distributed and is shaped by structural and institutional conditions. Strengthening cultural capital—especially through equitable access to cultural infrastructures—can contribute to fostering sustainable, participatory urban governance in heritage cities like Yazd. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تعیین رابطۀ سرمایۀ فرهنگی با تقویت ایثارگری اجتماعی در میان شهروندان شهر یزد انجام شد. این مطالعه به روش پیمایش و با استفاده از پرسشنامه انجام شد. جامعۀ آماری شامل شهروندان بالای ۱۶ سال شهر یزد بود که از میان آنها، با روش نمونه‌گیری خوشه‌ای چندمرحله‌ای، ۳۷۹ نفر انتخاب شدند. سرمایۀ فرهنگی با ۱۸ گویه و ایثارگری اجتماعی با ۱۰ گویه اندازه‌گیری شد. پایایی پرسشنامه با ضریب آلفای کرونباخ (۰٫۷۶ و ۰٫۸۱) تأیید شد و داده‌ها با نرم‌افزارهای SPSS و AMOS و با استفاده از آزمون همبستگی پیرسون و مدل‌سازی معادلات ساختاری تحلیل شد. سطح سرمایۀ فرهنگی و ایثارگری اجتماعی در نمونۀ مورد مطالعه پایین‌تر از حد متوسط است. بین سرمایۀ فرهنگی و هر سه بُعد آن با ایثارگری اجتماعی، رابطه‌ای مثبت و معنادار وجود داشت (01/0>p). قوی‌ترین رابطه مربوط به بُعد عینیت‌یافتۀ سرمایۀ فرهنگی بود. مدل معادلات ساختاری تأیید کرد سرمایۀ فرهنگی 28 درصد از واریانس ایثارگری اجتماعی را تبیین می‌کند و شاخص‌های برازش مدل نیز در حد مطلوب گزارش شد. سرمایۀ فرهنگی به‌ عنوان منبعی ساختاری، نقش تسهیلگر مهمی در افزایش احتمال و تداوم کنش‌های ایثارگرانه ایفا می‌کند. این رابطه در بافت شهری دارای میراث فرهنگی غنی مانند شهر یزد، به ‌ویژه از طریق عینیت‌های فرهنگی تقویت می‌شود. با این حال، سطح پایین سرمایۀ فرهنگی نهادی‌شده شکاف در دسترسی به مشارکت نهادمند را نشان می‌دهد. یافته‌ها بر لزوم توجه سیاست‌گذاران به تقویت سرمایۀ فرهنگی شهروندان برای نهادینه‌سازی ایثارگری اجتماعی تأکید دارد.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30452_54225186d0f469537bff61c192b8fab8.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 The Effect of Coordination on the Successful Implementation of Charity Policies, Controlling for Other Factors تأثیر هماهنگی بر اجرای موفق خط‌مشی‌های خیریه‌ با کنترل سایر عوامل 85 112 30455 10.22108/ecs.2026.147798.1168 FA حبیب ا... طاهرپور کلانتری دانشیارگروه مدیریت دولتی، مؤسسۀ عالی آموزش و پژوهش برنامه‌ریزی، تهران، ایران شهلا حیدربیگی دانشجوی دکتری گروه مدیریت دولتی، مؤسسۀ عالی آموزش و پژوهش برنامه‌ریزی، تهران، ایران علی جهانگیری استادیار گروه مدیریت دولتی، مؤسسۀ عالی آموزش و پژوهش برنامه‌ریزی، تهران، ایران فرج ا... رهنورد استاد گروه مدیریت دولتی، مؤسسۀ عالی آموزش و پژوهش برنامه‌ریزی، تهران، ایران Journal Article 2025 12 16 Introduction The implementation of public policies is a complex process in which various actors—including governmental institutions, charities, and stakeholders—play a decisive role in determining success or failure. The quality of policy implementation, particularly in addressing social issues such as poverty and equitable development, serves as a key metric for assessing the efficacy of public administration. In this regard, charitable organizations—as nonprofit entities and flexible, inclusive instruments—play a significant role in poverty alleviation and the realization of social objectives through resource mobilization, service provision, and advocacy for vulnerable groups. However, the misuse of resources, mismanagement, money laundering, and numerous scandals in the charity sector have significantly eroded public trust, necessitating stronger accountability and regulation. Regulatory bodies have responded to these issues by increasing oversight and tightening regulations. Yet, the mere proliferation of laws and regulations has not guaranteed successful policy implementation. Reasons for this failure include the large and heterogeneous number of charities, a lack of coordination among them, and inadequate legal frameworks. Additionally, the existence of redundant and conflicting laws can lead to policy implementation conflicts and inconsistent outcomes within the system. These discrepancies hinder effective policy execution. In this context, coordination—defined as the management of dependencies and conflicts—has been identified as a critical factor for successful policy implementation. Its absence results in weak or failed policy execution. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of coordination on the successful implementation of charity policies while controlling for other influencing factors, seeking to identify the independent role of coordination in policy success. Coordination, as a continuous and multidimensional process, operates at vertical, horizontal, and cross-sectoral levels. Previous research indicates that coordination facilitates improved policy formulation, enhances administrative efficiency, and strengthens organizational performance. Factors such as policy awareness, adequate resources, managerial attitudes and professionalism, political influences, stakeholders, and the discretionary authority of implementers have also been recognized as controlling variables affecting policy implementation. Methodology This quantitative study is applied in purpose, follows a deductive approach, and employs a descriptive-causal and field-based method. The target population of this study consists of implementers and practitioners of charity laws, who were selected through non-random sampling based on expertise and availability. In the first phase of this research, the literature and background of the study were reviewed to design the questionnaire. A researcher-made questionnaire was developed and presented to experts in the fields of charities and policy-making. After validation, the finalized questionnaire was divided into two sections: demographic questions and five-point Likert-scale research questions. It was then distributed among experts from regulatory bodies responsible for implementing charity laws (including license-issuing authorities such as the Ministry of Interior, the Welfare Organization, the Endowments Organization, etc.). To confirm the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha was used. The obtained values were 0.943 for coordination, 0.870 for successful implementation, and 0.981 for control factors, all of which confirmed the questionnaire's reliability. Findings Factors Influencing Successful Policy Implementation (Excluding Coordination): Table 1. Extracted Factors Affecting Successful Policy Implementation Table 2. Examining the Impact of Factors Discussion and Conclusion In the first part of the study, eight factors (control variables) were identified, collectively explaining 75% of the variance. These factors include: Attention to credible theory, control, and supervision; Leadership; Enforcement guarantees; Rationality; Capability; Feasibility; Adequate resources; Complexity of laws. In the second part of the analysis, coordination plays a decisive role in the successful implementation of charity policies. Additionally, the other control factors also significantly influence the successful execution of these policies. Previous studies in Iran have rarely examined the individual roles of factors influencing successful policy implementation. This research focuses on the critical role of coordination, which, according to global studies, is fundamental to the success of policies, programs, and national development. While public policy research often emphasizes policy design, this study highlights the importance of coordination in implementation, drawing attention to real-world execution challenges. Successful policy implementation heavily depends on the quality of relationships among executing agencies, civil society, and the public. Coordination underscores the relational nature of policy execution, demonstrating how building trust and cooperation can transform policy implementation from a mere bureaucratic process into a meaningful collective effort. This insight helps policymakers consider not only policy design but also implementation mechanisms and coordination from the outset. By integrating these findings, policymakers can enhance both the formulation and execution of charity policies, ensuring greater effectiveness and public trust. Table 1. Extracted Factors Affecting Successful Policy Implementation هدف پژوهش حاضر بررسی تأثیر هماهنگی بر اجرای موفق خط‌مشی خیریه‌ها با کنترل سایر عوامل است. پژوهش حاضر به لحاظ هدف کاربردی، از لحاظ روش توصیفی-علّی و میدانی است. ابزار جمع‌آوری اطلاعات پرسشنامۀ پژوهشگرساخته است و جامعۀ آماری پژوهش را مجریان و دست‌اندرکاران آشنا به خط‌مشی خیریه تشکیل دادند که به روش نمونه‌گیری غیرتصادفی، بر اساس تخصص و در دسترس ‌بودن انتخاب شدند. یافته‌‌های حاصل از تحلیل عاملی اکتشافی روی 141 متغیر به 8 عامل اصلی «توجه به نظریۀ معتبر و کنترل و نظارت، رهبری، ضمانت اجرا، منطقی‌بودن، توانمندی، عملی‌بودن، منابع مناسب، پیچیدگی یا سادگی قانون» تبدیل شدند که این 8 عامل در مجموع 75 درصد از واریانس را تبیین کردند. نتایج حاصل از رگرسیون سلسله‌مراتبی در قالب دو مدل (با کنترل سایر عوامل) نشان داد دو مدل معنادار هستند؛ یعنی 8 عامل شناسایی‌ شدند و عامل هماهنگی بر اجرای موفق خط‌مشی خیریه‌ها تأثیر دارد. پژوهش حاضر نشان داد عامل هماهنگی در میان سایر عوامل تأثیرگذار نقش تعیین‌کننده و بیشتری دارد.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30455_95a90ddf6e741c71c182f2bfd36b7801.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 The Role of Algorithmic Governance in Charitable Organizations’ Decision-Making: Opportunities and Threats of Shadow Management نقش حکمرانی الگوریتمی در تصمیم‌گیری خیریه‌ها: فرصت‌ها و تهدیدهای مدیریت سایه‌ 113 144 30458 10.22108/ecs.2026.148576.1180 FA یاسمن چریانی زنجانی دانشجوی دکتری گروه مدیریت، واحد چالوس دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، چالوس، ایران داود کیاکجوری دانشیار گروه مدیریت، واحد چالوس دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، چالوس، ایران مرتضی موسی خانی استاد گروه مدیریت، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، تهران، ایران Journal Article 2026 03 17 Introduction The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance into social sectors, particularly non-profit organizations, has made algorithms a core component of management processes for aid allocation, needs assessment, and project prioritization. This evolution, while enhancing efficiency, introduces challenges such as algorithmic bias, opacity in decision-making, accountability issues, and potential privacy violations (Sari, 2025: 128; Barnes, 2025: 2). Often, these processes manifest as “shadow governance,” where algorithms invisibly influence organizational decisions, potentially perpetuating inequality or eroding public trust (Aizenberg et al., 2025: 921). Since AI systems are trained on historical data, there is a risk of reinforcing existing biases and leading to unintentional discrimination in resource distribution (Morse et al., 2020: 2; Akter et al., 2021: 2). While most research has focused on AI applications in fields like education and policy (Yuanyuan, 2024: 105; Rakowski & Kowaliková, 2024: 2), the examination of algorithmic governance within charitable organizations remains limited (Furendal, 2023: 4). Consequently, the central research problem is to understand how algorithmic governance shapes the opportunities and threats of shadow management in non-profits and to identify the necessary mechanisms to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in this process. The study aims to provide a conceptual framework for the ethical management of this phenomenon. Its significance lies in mitigating bias risks and bolstering public trust, though the study is limited by a scarcity of empirical studies in this domain. Methodology This research employed an exploratory mixed-methods approach across two stages to analyze the role of algorithmic governance in charitable organizations’ decision-making and to elucidate the opportunities and threats of shadow management. The first stage involved a systematic meta-synthesis of credible academic sources from English (Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect) and Persian (SID, Noormags, Civilica, Elmnet) databases. From 142 initial articles, 60 English and 6 Persian sources were selected for final analysis after rigorous screening based on title, abstract, quality, and content relevance. This meta-synthesis identified key dimensions, components, and indicators of algorithmic governance’s opportunities and threats, culminating in a comprehensive, multidimensional conceptual framework. The findings from the meta-synthesis informed the design of the data collection instrument for the second, qualitative stage. A semi-structured questionnaire, based on the identified dimensions and components, was developed for expert interviews. These interviews aimed to gather specialized perspectives on the opportunities and threats of shadow management emerging from the expansion of algorithmic governance. This approach revealed hidden aspects of the phenomenon by integrating theoretical foundations with expert experiences. Accordingly, the opportunities and threats of shadow management in charities were investigated using thematic analysis with the participation of 10 experts (professors of public administration and specialists in ethics, governance, and algorithmic management). Data were collected through in-depth, focused interviews, analyzed via open, axial, and selective coding, and the reliability of the analysis was confirmed. Findings In the first stage, this study utilized meta-synthesis and the systematic screening of 66 peer-reviewed sources to develop a comprehensive framework of the dimensions, components, and indicators of algorithmic governance. The findings reveal that algorithmic governance presents a complex duality of capacity and risk. Opportunities include enhanced transparency and accountability, improved data and model performance, elevated employee experience, increased organizational agility, and optimized decision-making. Conversely, associated threats involve data quality issues, model errors, algorithmic bias, ethical and privacy violations, psychological stress, and operational security risks. This framework provided the foundation for designing the data collection instrument and the subsequent thematic analysis. In the second stage, thematic analysis of expert interviews identified the opportunities and threats of “shadow management” within algorithmic governance in charitable organizations. Results demonstrate that the intelligent application of data and algorithms can transform charities from traditional intermediaries into active social governance agents by empowering independent decision-making, fostering synergy with state entities, producing field-based knowledge, and strengthening social capital. However, structural threats were also identified, such as the surreptitious redesign of decision-making processes, monopolization of data interpretation, mission drift, the reproduction of inequality, erosion of accountability, and weakened organizational learning. Ultimately, while shadow management may enhance agility and innovation, it poses significant challenges to the sustainability and legitimacy of charitable organizations if robust governance mechanisms are absent. The final conceptual model is presented in Figure 1. Figure 1. Final Model of the Threats and Opportunities of Shadow Management Considering Algorithmic Governance Discussion and Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that algorithmic governance in charitable organizations is a dual-faceted phenomenon that can simultaneously create pathways for enhanced efficiency, equity, and agility, while also enabling the emergence of shadow management and structural threats. Within the proposed framework, we identified opportunities such as strengthened decision-making capacities, the production and use of reliable data, the development of fairness-oriented algorithms, and enhanced institutional collaboration. Conversely, threats such as the weakening of formal decision-making processes, data monopolization, erosion of accountability, reproduction of inequalities, and technological lock-in demonstrate that the unregulated application of algorithms may jeopardize organizational integrity and legitimacy. Accordingly, it is essential for charities to adopt a balanced approach that leverages the transformative potential of data and algorithms while preventing hidden and informal decision-making mechanisms. Based on the results, it is recommended that charities and policymaking bodies develop a framework for responsible algorithmic governance, including standards for transparency, bias auditing, meaningful human oversight, and data protection. Despite the systematic design of this study, its focus was primarily at the organizational level and based on a limited number of experts, with less attention paid to cultural, legal, and technological contextual factors. Therefore, future research should employ quantitative methods and causal modeling to test these relationships, conduct cross-country comparative studies, and examine the role of regulatory bodies in mitigating threats and reinforcing opportunities. Field-based investigations into employees’ interactions with algorithms and studies on small and community-based charities may further enrich the literature in this domain. با گسترش حکمرانی الگوریتمی در تصمیم‌گیری سازمان‌های خیریه، پدیدۀ مدیریت سایه‌ به عنوان قدرت نامرئی با علم، اشراف و تأثیرگذاری بر الگوریتم‌ها، فرصت‌ها و تهدیدهایی را با خود به همراه آورده است. پژوهش حاضر، با هدف واکاوی نقش حکمرانی الگوریتمی در تصمیم‌گیری خیریه‌ها و تبیین فرصت‌ها و تهدیدهای مدیریت سایه‌ در این بستر، از رویکرد ترکیبی اکتشافی بهره گرفت. در گام اول، روش فراترکیب به کار گرفته شد. برای این منظور، تحلیل بر روی ۶۶ منبع معتبر (۶۰ انگلیسی و ۶ فارسی) انجام شد. نتایج فراترکیب زمینه‌ساز تدوین پرسشنامۀ نیمه‌ساختاریافتۀ تحلیل مضمون با مشارکت ۱۰ خبره از حوزۀ مدیریت دولتی و خیریه شد. در نتیجۀ تحلیل مضمون، فرصتها و تهدیدهای مدیریت سایه در بستر حکمرانی الگوریتمی در سازمانهای خیریه استخراج شدند. یافته‌ها نشان‌دهندۀ ماهیت پارادوکسیکال حکمرانی الگوریتمی در سازمان‌های خیریه بود که از یک ‌سو، فرصت‌هایی همچون حکمرانی و شفافیت الگوریتمی، عدالت، اخلاق و کاهش سوگیری، کیفیت داده و مدل، تأثیر بر کارکنان و فرهنگ سازمانی و کارایی، کارکرد و نتایج کسب‌وکار مثبت را فراهم می‌کند، و از سوی دیگر، سبب تهدیدهایی مانند ریسک‌های کیفیت داده و مدل، ریسک‌های اخلاقی و تبعیض الگوریتمی و پیامدهای منفی مدیریت الگوریتمی بر کارکنان میشود. در این بستر بود که مدیریت سایه سبب بروز فرصت‌ها (مانند تعالی مرجعیت خیریه، هدایت‌گری فرهنگی، توانمندسازی اجتماعی، چابکی نهادی و کاهش نابرابری) و تهدیدها (مانند تضعیف حکمرانی رسمی، چرخش خزندۀ مأموریت، فرسایش اعتماد عمومی و قفل‌شدگی فناورانه) شد. ضمن ایجاد ظرفیت‌های تحول‌آفرین، حکمرانی الگوریتمی بدون حکمرانی مسئولانه به تهدیدهای جدی منجر می‌شود. پیشنهادها شامل تدوین منشور اخلاقی، ممیزی مستمر، آموزش سواد الگوریتمی و تقویت نظارت انسانی هستند.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30458_38a7271306a30969d95ee6cdd5716a48.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 Explaining Citizens' Attitudes Toward Charitable Institutions Supervised by the State Welfare Organization of Guilan Province تبیین نگرش شهروندان به مؤسسه‌های خیریه تحت نظارت بهزیستی استان گیلان 145 166 30473 10.22108/ecs.2026.148521.1178 FA رضا علیزاده استادیار پژوهشکدۀ گیلان‌شناسی، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران رضا جعفری دانش‌آموختۀ دکتری جامعه‌شناسی مسائل اجتماعی ایران، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد تهران مرکز، ایران مهدی مظلوم خداشهری دانش‌آموختۀ کارشناسی‌ارشد جامعه‌شناسی، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران Journal Article 2026 02 25 Introduction Citizen participation in charitable affairs and helping others is contingent upon various factors. According to available statistics from the State Welfare Organization, there are 500 charitable institutions under the supervision of the Guilan Welfare Organization. However, due to rising poverty in society and the proliferation of charitable centers across different institutions, the level of public participation is not optimal—indeed, the rate of participation has declined. Public participation in charity increases financial revenue, enhances motivation, and improves transparency. Nevertheless, citizens' decreased participation does not necessarily imply a negative attitude on their part; it is quite possible that individuals with a positive attitude refrain from taking practical action due to factors such as institutional distrust or weak information dissemination. On the other hand, a negative attitude—even without manifesting in short-term participation—can gradually erode social capital and the enduring motivation for philanthropy. Based on qualitative observations and sporadic reports of rare violations in a few institutions, the Guilan Provincial Welfare Organization has serious concerns about declining participation in charitable affairs. However, the organization possesses no systematic or reliable data to ascertain the validity of this concern or to identify vulnerable points in public attitudes at an early stage. The present study has been designed precisely to fill this informational gap and to enable continuous monitoring of attitudes as a strategic indicator. Consequently, this research seeks not only to measure the attitudes of citizens toward charitable institutions under the auspices of the Welfare Organization but also to examine the variables affecting these attitudes. Methodology The present study was conducted using a quantitative approach, employing the survey technique and a questionnaire as the data collection tool. The statistical population consisted of citizens aged 18 years and older in Gilan Province. According to statistical data from the Management and Planning Organization of Gilan Province, this population numbers 2 million people. Based on Cochran's formula, the calculated sample size was 384 individuals. However, to account for potential errors and incomplete questionnaires, as well as the geographical scope of the study area, the sample size was increased to 500 individuals, and questionnaires were completed in urban areas. A random cluster sampling method was used for sample selection. Validation was carried out using face validity, drawing on expert opinions, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated through a pre-test administered to 30 respondents, from which Cronbach's alpha was calculated; subsequently, inconsistent items were removed. After data collection, the obtained information was entered into SPSS software. Following error detection, the construction of required indices, and the conducting of descriptive and inferential analyses, the research findings were presented. Findings Attitudes toward charitable institutions vary according to gender, age groups, educational levels, income levels, and marital status (single vs. married). Trust in charitable institutions influences citizens' attitudes toward these institutions, and the relationship between trust and all three dimensions—cognition, behavior, and affect—is significant. The relationship between religiosity and attitude is also significant; increased religiosity effectively enhances citizens' cognition, affect, and willingness to participate in charitable activities. Social affiliations also play an effective role in increasing citizens' participation in charitable activities. The sense of justice in society influences citizens' attitudes toward these institutions, and an increased sense of justice leads to greater cognition, affect, and willingness to participate in charitable activities. The relationship between virtual space (social media/online platforms) and attitude is not significant. Specifically, the relationship between virtual space and the behavioral dimension—i.e., willingness to participate in charitable activities—is not significant. However, the relationship is significant regarding the cognitive and affective dimensions, but it has an inverse (negative) effect on citizens' cognitive and affective attitudes. According to the multiple regression results, the effects of trust, religiosity, and media on attitude (cognitive, behavioral, and affective) are significant, and the predictor variables explain approximately 65% of the variance in attitudes toward charitable institutions. Path analysis results further indicate that trust has the strongest direct effect on attitudes toward charitable institutions. Discussion and Conclusion The research findings indicated that increased trust, religiosity, social belonging, and a sense of social justice significantly enhance the tendency to participate in charitable activities. This finding directly confirms Allport's proposition regarding the role of attitudes in predicting behavior. A positive attitude formed at the cognitive and emotional levels acts as an empirical reference stored within individuals' mental frameworks. In decision-making situations (such as financial donations or voluntary participation), this attitude leads to the manifestation of prosocial behavior. Charities, as institutions that help reduce inequality, provide social support, and foster collective solidarity, are meaningfully interpreted within individuals' attitudinal systems as instruments of social and moral adaptation. Thus, a positive attitude toward these institutions is not merely an individual evaluation but also an adaptive response to the social, economic, and cultural conditions of the environment. The positive effect of formal media on the cognitive dimension demonstrates that these media, acting as external informational stimuli, shape the cognitive inputs of individuals' attitudinal systems and reinforce positive beliefs regarding the transparency, efficiency, and legitimacy of charities. The affective dimension of attitude consistently recorded the highest mean score in most cases. This indicates that positive emotions such as empathy, compassion, social belonging, and a sense of moral responsibility play a prominent role in shaping citizens' attitudes toward charitable institutions. The significant impact of religiosity and trust on the affective component confirms that religious beliefs and a sense of trust, through evoking moral and value-based emotions, generate a more positive attitude toward charities. Acknowledgments We thank the General Administration of the Guilan Province Welfare Organization for its financial support of this project. مؤسسه‌های خیریه نقش اساسی در کاهش فقر و حمایت از اقشار آسیب‌پذیر جامعه دارند. با وجود افزایش تعداد مؤسسه‌های خیریه در استان گیلان، جذب مشارکت مردمی کاهش یافته است. در همین ارتباط، شناخت دقیق نگرش شهروندان نسبت به مشارکت در امور خیریه اهمیت زیادی دارد. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تبیین نگرش شهروندان مناطق شهری گیلان به مؤسسه‌های خیریه تحت نظارت بهزیستی انجام شد. این مطالعه با رویکرد کمّی و به‌کارگیری تکنیک پیمایش روی 500 نفر از شهروندان بالای 18 سال ساکن مناطق شهری گیلان اجرا شد. نمونه‌گیری به روش خوشه‌ای تصادفی انجام شد و داده‌ها با پرسشنامه گردآوری شدند. اعتبار ابزار به روش صوری و پایایی با آلفای کرونباخ تأیید شد. یافته‌ها نشان داد اعتماد، دین‌داری، تعلقات اجتماعی، احساس عدالت و رسانه‌ها تأثیری معنادار بر نگرش شهروندان (شامل ابعاد شناختی، عاطفی و رفتاری) نسبت به مؤسسه‌های خیریه دارند. همچنین، نگرش برحسب جنسیت، سن، تأهل، تحصیلات و درآمد تفاوت معنادار دارد. تحلیل رگرسیونی نشان داد متغیرهای مستقل (اعتماد، دین‌داری و رسانه) 65 درصد از تغییرات نگرش را تبیین می‌کنند که در این میان، اعتماد قوی‌ترین پیش‌بین است.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30473_70a64f2549ef57eb9a8259c26c14fe72.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 The Impact of Perceived Organizational Support and Satisfaction with the Volunteer Management System on Participation Motivation: The Mediating Role of Organizational Identity (Case Study: Volunteers of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, Sari County) بررسی تأثیر حمایت سازمانی درک‌شده و رضایت از سامانۀ مدیریت ارتباط با داوطلبان بر انگیزۀ مشارکت، با نقش میانجی هویت سازمانی (مورد مطالعه: داوطلبان کمیتۀ امداد امام خمینی (ره) شهرستان ساری) 167 196 30477 10.22108/ecs.2026.147796.1169 FA عباس احمدی استادیار گروه مدیریت بازرگانی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران اکبر بهمنی چوب بستی دانشیار گروه مدیریت دولتی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران فاطمه توبه کارشناس ارشد مدیریت بازرگانی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران Journal Article 2025 12 16 Introduction Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and supportive institutions depend on the active participation of volunteers to achieve their social objectives. One of the main challenges for these organizations is retaining volunteers and sustaining their participation in social activities. In recent years, researchers in the fields of human resource management and organizational behavior have focused on factors that can enhance volunteers' motivation to participate and their sense of belonging. Among these, perceived organizational support (POS) and the quality of volunteers' experience with volunteer management systems (VMS) are considered crucial factors that can influence participatory attitudes and behaviors. Perceived organizational support indicates the extent to which individuals perceive that the organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being, which can strengthen their sense of belonging and organizational identity. Furthermore, the use of volunteer management systems as technological tools can improve volunteers' interaction experiences with the organization and increase their satisfaction. However, the exact mechanisms through which these factors affect volunteer participation motivation, as well as the role of mediating variables in this relationship, require further investigation. Accordingly, the main problem of the current research is to examine how perceived organizational support and satisfaction with the volunteer management system impact volunteer participation motivation, and what role organizational identity plays in this context. The research hypotheses include the positive impact of perceived organizational support and VMS satisfaction on organizational identity and participation motivation, the impact of organizational identity on participation motivation, and the mediating role of organizational identity in these relationships. The findings of this study can contribute to improving volunteer management strategies in supportive organizations. Methodology This research is applied in terms of its purpose and follows a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consists of active volunteers in the target supportive institution. The research sample includes 155 volunteers selected using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using standard questionnaires related to the research variables, including perceived organizational support, volunteer management system satisfaction, organizational identity, and participation motivation. The validity of the research instrument was evaluated through face and content validity assessments, as well as Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability of the questionnaires was also examined using indicators such as Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability, the results of which indicated an acceptable level of reliability for the instruments. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed for data analysis. In the first stage, descriptive analyses and the examination of respondents' demographic characteristics were conducted using SPSS version 25. In the second stage, SmartPLS version 3 was utilized to test the research hypotheses and examine the relationships among variables. Initially, the measurement model was evaluated for validity and reliability, and subsequently, the structural model was analyzed to test the hypothesized relationships. The use of the SEM approach enabled the simultaneous examination of both direct and indirect relationships between variables, as well as the mediating role of organizational identity within the research model. Findings The results of the data analysis indicated that perceived organizational support has a positive and significant impact on volunteer participation motivation. This finding suggests that when volunteers feel the organization values their efforts and supports their activities, they exhibit a greater willingness to continue their collaboration and participation in organizational activities. Additionally, the results demonstrated that perceived organizational support has a positive and significant effect on organizational identity. This indicates that perceived support from the organization can strengthen volunteers' sense of belonging and identification with the organization. On the other hand, satisfaction with the volunteer management system also showed a positive and significant impact on organizational identity and participation motivation. This finding implies that the efficiency and ease of use of volunteer management systems can create a more positive experience for volunteers, thereby increasing their level of participation. Furthermore, the structural model results revealed that organizational identity has a positive and significant impact on participation motivation. Moreover, organizational identity plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between perceived organizational support and participation motivation, as well as in the relationship between VMS satis پژوهش حاضر با هدف بررسی تأثیر حمایت سازمانی درک‌شده و رضایت از سامانۀ مدیریت داوطلب بر انگیزۀ مشارکت داوطلبان کمیتۀ امداد امام خمینی (ره) شهرستان ساری با توجه به نقش میانجی هویت سازمانی انجام شد. این پژوهش از نظر هدف کاربردی و از نظر شیوۀ گردآوری داده‌ها، توصیفی از نوع پیمایشی است. جامعۀ آماری شامل کلیۀ مدیران و کارکنان شاغل در کمیتۀ امداد امام خمینی (ره) شهرستان ساری بود که با روش نمونه‌گیری تصادفی ساده، 155 نفر به عنوان نمونه بررسی شدند. ابزار گردآوری داده‌ها شامل پرسشنامه‌های استاندارد بود که پایایی آنها با ضریب آلفای کرونباخ بیشتر از 7/0 تأیید شد. داده‌ها با استفاده از نرم‌افزار SPSS نسخۀ 25 برای تحلیل‌های توصیفی و نرم‌افزار Smart PLS نسخۀ 3 برای تحلیل‌های استنباطی و مدل‌سازی معادلات ساختاری پردازش شدند. یافته‌ها نشان داد حمایت سازمانی درک‌شده و رضایت از سامانۀ مدیریت داوطلب تأثیری مثبت و معنادار بر هویت سازمانی و انگیزۀ مشارکت داوطلبان دارد. علاوه ‌بر این، هویت سازمانی بر انگیزۀ مشارکت داوطلبان اثری مثبت و معنادار داشت. همچنین، هویت سازمانی نقش میانجی معناداری در رابطۀ بین حمایت سازمانی درک‌شده و رضایت از سامانۀ مدیریت داوطلب با انگیزۀ مشارکت داوطلبان ایفا می‌کند. نتایج پژوهش بیانگر آن است که تقویت سازوکارهای حمایتی و بهره‌گیری مؤثر از سامانه‌های مدیریت داوطلب می‌تواند زمینه‌ساز ایجاد احساس تعلق، اعتماد و خودهمانندسازی داوطلبان با سازمان شود و در نهایت، تداوم مشارکت آنان را تضمین کند. به بیان دیگر، هرچه ادراک داوطلبان از حمایت و کارآمدی سامانه‌های ارتباطی و مدیریتی بیشتر باشد، پیوند عاطفی و شناختی آنان با سازمان مستحکم‌تر می‌شود و این امر آنان را به مشارکت پایدارتر و فعال‌تر در برنامه‌های کمیتۀ امداد ترغیب می‌کند.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30477_0940ebe2004b7e7fc2a6e6b5f2b72061.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 Redefining Charity in Casual Mobile Games: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Narratives of Suffering and Helping in Puzzle–Narrative Games بازتعریف نیکوکاری در بازی‌های موبایلی کژوال: تحلیل گفتمان انتقادی روایت رنج و کمک‌رسانی در بازی‌های پازل– روایتی 197 218 30699 10.22108/ecs.2026.149080.1193 FA فاطمه کمالی دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد، گروه ارتباطات اجتماعی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران مهری بهار دانشیار، گروه ارتباطات اجتماعی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران 0000-0002-9674-6813 Journal Article 2026 05 30 Introduction Casual mobile games have become one of the most widespread forms of digital entertainment. Their accessibility, simple rules, short play sessions, and freemium business models have integrated them into users’ everyday media practices. These games, however, should not be regarded merely as entertainment products. Through narratives, visual representations, character design, dialogue, gameplay mechanics, and reward systems, they participate in constructing and normalizing particular understandings of social and moral concepts. A recurring narrative pattern in several puzzle–narrative games involves women, mothers, and children facing poverty, homelessness, cold weather, inadequate living conditions, or the breakdown of domestic and family life. Players are invited to assist these characters by completing puzzles, collecting resources, repairing houses, purchasing objects, redesigning spaces, or improving the characters’ appearance. At first glance, such narratives appear to promote empathy, generosity, and prosocial behavior. Nevertheless, the ways suffering is represented, the limited agency assigned to characters in need, the construction of the player as a rescuer, and the incorporation of helping into the economic and procedural logic of the game raise important critical questions. The central purpose of this study is to investigate how charity is redefined in casual puzzle–narrative mobile games and how suffering and helping are constructed through linguistic, visual, narrative, and interactive resources. The study also examines how these representations are shaped by broader social and economic structures and how the games simultaneously contribute to the reproduction of those structures. Methodology The study adopts a qualitative research design. The cases were purposively selected from casual mobile games available on Google Play. The selection criteria included the simultaneous presence of a puzzle–narrative structure, a freemium economic model, and explicit narratives of suffering, deprivation, rescue, or helping. Based on these criteria, three games were selected: Story Match, Pop Designer–Bubble Shooter, and Bubble Shooter Family. The research data consisted of screenshots, visual scenes, character dialogues, representations of bodies and domestic spaces, interactions between players and characters in need, before-and-after sequences of assistance, puzzle-solving mechanics, coin and resource systems, design and renovation choices, and reward structures. The units of analysis were narrative and interactive situations in which suffering was displayed, and the player was required to perform an act of assistance. The analysis was conducted in three stages. First, the linguistic, visual, and interactive features of the games were identified and examined in terms of their experiential, relational, and expressive values. Second, the communicative context and the relationships among the player, the suffering character, and the game system were interpreted. Third, the findings were explained in relation to broader economic, social, and cultural structures. To enhance analytical credibility, the linguistic, visual, narrative, and procedural dimensions of the games were examined together, and recurring patterns across the three games were compared with their distinctive features. Findings The findings at the descriptive level reveal that suffering is predominantly represented through material and domestic signs, including dilapidated houses, broken windows, cold environments, worn-out furniture, inadequate clothing, and sad facial expressions. Poverty is depicted not as a social or historical process, but as an immediate and visibly repairable condition tied to domestic disorder and disrupted family relations. At the experiential level, the games construct a strong binary opposition between undesirable and desirable conditions. Before intervention, settings are dark, cold, damaged, and disordered; after assistance, they become bright, warm, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing. Relationally, characters in need make direct emotional appeals to the player, while the player occupies a position of power to allocate resources and make decisions. Expressive values are reinforced through emotional vocabulary, self-blaming statements, and striking visual contrasts. At the interpretive level, the player–character relationship is markedly asymmetrical. Suffering characters lack agency and are positioned as passive recipients of help, while the player is constructed as a rescuer and crisis manager. The game system intermediates all acts of assistance, making help conditional upon completing puzzle levels, collecting coins, and earning rewards. Helping is therefore transformed from an autonomous ethical act into a conditional, sequential procedure in which moral achievement depends on ludic achievement, and charity is reduced to measurable indicators such as points, coins, and visible progress. Player agency is emphasized discursively but remains procedurally limited. At the explanatory level, these representations are closely linked to freemium economics and the attention economy. Suffering becomes a resource for sustaining user engagement, as emotional appeals and visible transformations create incentives for continued play. Furthermore, the games align with neoliberal discourses of individualized responsibility, as structural problems are reframed as personal domestic crises, and their resolution is assigned to the individual player rather than to collective institutions or public policy. Welfare systems and structural causes of poverty are notably absent from the narrative. The findings also reveal a feminization of suffering, with women and mothers disproportionately portrayed as vulnerable, dependent, and in need of rescue. Their difficulties are tied not only to material deprivation but also to perceived failures in fulfilling maternal roles and maintaining a stable home, thereby reproducing gendered stereotypes about female vulnerability and domestic responsibility. Discussion and Conclusion The findings demonstrate that the selected games redefine charity by transforming it from a collective, socially oriented practice into an individualized, sequential, measurable, and aestheticized intervention. Helping is largely reduced to repairing, renovating, decorating, and visually improving domestic environments. Its success is represented through rapid and visible transformations. Poverty, in turn, is converted into a manageable problem that can seemingly be resolved by spending resources and making appropriate consumer-oriented choices. The games are both shaped by and productive of broader social structures. Freemium logic turns suffering into an incentive for continued interaction; the attention economy employs emotional appeals to retain users; and neoliberal discourses of responsibility locate the solution to social problems in the actions of individual subjects. Charity therefore becomes platformized: it is organized according to game rules, reward systems, progress indicators, restricted choices, and market-oriented mechanisms. The contribution of this study lies in connecting digital game studies, humanitarian communication, and critical discourse analysis. It highlights the importance of examining not only what games narrate but also how their mechanics and economic models organize moral action. The findings suggest that game designers should provide greater agency to characters represented as vulnerable, avoid gendered stereotypes, acknowledge the structural dimensions of suffering, and develop more collective and participatory representations of helping. The study is limited by its focus on three mobile games and by the absence of audience reception and production-based data. Future studies may investigate how players interpret these narratives, how developers conceptualize suffering and prosocial action, and how representations of charity differ across cultural contexts, platforms, and game genres. Such research could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships among digital play, empathy, suffering, and charitable action. پژوهش حاضر با هدف بررسی چگونگی بازتعریف نیکوکاری و بازنمایی رنج در بازی‌های موبایلی کژوال انجام شده است. پژوهش از نظر رویکرد، کیفی است و با استفاده از تحلیل گفتمان انتقادی چندوجهی و بر پایۀ الگوی سه‌بُعدی فرکلاف، سه بازی استوری مچ، پاپ دیزاینر ـ بابل شوتر و بابل شوتر فمیلی را بررسی می‌کند. داده‌های پژوهش شامل دیالوگ‌ها، تصاویر، شخصیت‌ها، ساختار روایت، مکانیک‌های گیم‌پلی، نظام پاداش و الگوی اقتصادی بازی‌ها هستند. یافته‌ها نشان داد در سطح توصیف، رنج عمدتاً از طریق نشانه‌های مادی و خانگی، مانند خانۀ مخروبه، سرما، کمبود امکانات و آسیب‌پذیری زنان و کودکان بازنمایی می‌شود. در سطح تفسیر، بازیکن در جایگاه نجات‌دهنده و مدیر بحران و شخصیت نیازمند در موقعیتی وابسته و کم‌عاملیت قرار می‌گیرد؛ همچنین، کمک‌رسانی در بازی به حل پازل و انتخاب‌های مصرفی تقلیل داده می‌شود. در سطح تبیین، منطق فریمیوم، اقتصاد توجه و گفتمان نئولیبرالی مسئولیت، زمینۀ شکل‌گیری این بازنمایی را فراهم می‌کنند و بازی‌ها نیز با فردی‌سازی مسئولیت، زنانه‌سازی رنج و کالایی‌سازی فقر، این ساختارها را بازتولید می‌کنند. در نتیجه، نیکوکاری از کنشی جمعی و معطوف به تغییر اجتماعی، به مداخله‌ای فردی، مرحله‌ای، زیبایی‌شناختی و سازگار با منطق بازار تبدیل می‌شود.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30699_9a8c73d76eddc26f5091a3dfc99a06ae.pdf

دانشگاه اصفهان مطالعات وقف و امور خیریه 3115-7475 4 1 2026 03 21 Analyzing Donor Appreciation Practices in Isfahan Health Charities Facing Diverse Motivations Based on Motivational Crowding Out Theory and the Islamic Hierarchy of Motivations واکاوی رویه‌های تقدیر از خیّرین در خیریه‌های سلامت اصفهان در مواجهه با تنوع انگیزه‌ها بر اساس نظریۀ تخلیۀ انگیزشی و سلسله‌مراتب انگیزه‌های اسلامی 219 242 30711 10.22108/ecs.2026.148712.1182 FA وحید مقدم استادیار، گروه معارف اهل البیت علیهم السلام، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران محمدصالح طیب نیا استادیار، گروه معارف اهل البیت علیهم السلام ، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران سمانه خسروانیان کارشناسی‌ارشد اقتصاد اسلامی، گروه اقتصاد، دانشکدۀ علوم اداری و اقتصاد، دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران Journal Article 2026 04 22 Introduction This research was conducted in the domain of health charities in Isfahan to explore donor appreciation practices, focusing on thank-you gifts and the hierarchy of Islamic motivations. The main problem is that while charities use such gifts to retain donors, unawareness of the "motivational crowding out" phenomenon (Frey & Jegen, 2001) can reverse their intended effects. Specifically, providing uniform gifts in Iran's religious context can cause "spiritual degradation," reducing a donor's motivation from sincerity (Ikhlas) to mere reputation-seeking, which may ultimately invalidate the charitable act. Given the vital role of health charities, scientifically managing donor motivation is essential for preserving their spiritual capital and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Regarding the research background, Western studies (e.g., Muller & Rau, 2020; Chao, 2017) confirmed crowding out within the intrinsic/extrinsic dichotomy, and Chapman and Thai (2026) showed incentive effectiveness heavily depends on donors' motivational profiles. However, domestic literature has merely identified horizontal participation factors, completely neglecting the longitudinal and hierarchical dimensions of Islamic motivations. The main limitation is the inability to interview donors directly due to institutions' strict privacy policies, thus relying on managers' perceptions and reports. Finally, the research questions are: 1) What types of thank-you gifts do Isfahan health charities use, and what are their objectives? 2) How do managers perceive donors' motivations and handle the crowding-out phenomenon within the Islamic motivational hierarchy to prevent spiritual degradation? Methodology This study employed a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory approach to systematically identify the current state and classify the experiences and perceptions of health charity managers in Isfahan, addressing the lack of sufficient prior research in Iran. The study population comprised managers and experts from health charities in Isfahan. Using accessible purposive sampling, seven key informants from five prominent charities (Maksa, Kasa, Emdadgaran Ashoura, Isfahan Diabetes, and Hazrat Abolfazl) were selected. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews (lasting 30 to 90 minutes). The interview guide focused on three core themes: types of appreciation methods, organizational objectives, and challenges in preserving donors' sincerity (*Ikhlas*). All sessions were recorded with informed consent and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. Following multiple close readings of the transcripts, semantic units related to gift types, purposes of giving, and managers' perceptions of donor sincerity and motivation were identified and organized through a two-step process of open coding and categorization. To enrich the data, public documents (e.g., charity websites, appreciation plaques, and text messages) were reviewed, and methodological triangulation was applied. The primary limitation of this study is its reliance on managers' perceptions and reports rather than direct interviews with the donors themselves. Due to the strict sensitivity of charity institutions regarding information disclosure and donor privacy, this necessitates caution in generalizing the findings. Findings Analysis of interviews, field observations, and digital documents revealed that Isfahan health charities utilize a wide spectrum of appreciation tools. These include plaques and trophies (for recurring and major donors), thank-you messages and expenditure reports (for small-to-medium donors), personal phone calls (for significant contributions), visual feedback like patient photos and field visit invitations (for altruistic donors), formal ceremonies (for influential donors), facility naming (for infrastructural donors), and reciprocal administrative/medical services. The charities' objectives primarily centered on retaining existing donors (the core goal) and attracting new ones; notably, no organizational strategy existed for elevating motivation or achieving "motivational crowding in." Managers intuitively recognized four motivational levels among donors: expanded self-interest (e.g., receiving tax exemptions), human altruism (e.g., feelings of empathy and reciprocity), otherworldly motivation (e.g., fulfilling vows and expiations), and divine sincerity (Ikhlas, solely to attain divine pleasure). The most critical finding was the complete absence of systematic evaluation regarding how these gifts impact donors' future behavior. Decision-making was purely intuitive, relying on personal experience and imitation of other charities, with no data or analysis to measure long-term effectiveness. Consequently, despite their valid concern for preserving donors' sincerity, charities lack the scientific knowledge and tools required to manage motivations and prevent "spiritual degradation" in their current appreciation practices. Discussion and Conclusion Findings show that appreciation practices in the studied charities, despite apparent diversity, are managed within an intuitive, unscientific framework rooted in organizational survival logic. Instead of actively managing motivation, charities focus solely on maintaining the status quo, as any targeted intervention to elevate motivation carries the risk of losing donors. This structural conservatism, lack of scientific protocols, and quantitative definition of success (donation volume) are three main barriers to transitioning from the current state. Theoretically, this study demonstrates that motivation crowding theory in religious societies requires a cultural addendum. In the Islamic model, crowding out is not merely substituting motivation, but an ontological descent in the hierarchy of divine proximity, entailing theological consequences (e.g., the invalidation of the deed). This fundamental difference highlights the necessity of developing indigenous models for motivation management. Practically, it is recommended that charities create a motivational profile for major donors by recording their behavioral signs (e.g., tendency toward anonymity) and apply a tiered appreciation model: for sincere donors, only private prayers and confidential impact reports; for altruists, visual feedback (photos and videos); and for the self-interested, public appreciation and naming. However, due to reliance on managers' perceptions and lack of direct access to donors, future research must employ mixed methods and direct donor access to validate these models and develop charity-specific operational protocols. Acknowledgments The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the health charities participating in this study (Maksa, Kasa, Emdadgaran Ashoura, Isfahan Diabetes, and Hazrat Abolfazl (PBUH)), as well as all the managers and experts who generously shared their valuable experiences despite the sensitivity of the subject. Their invaluable cooperation was the cornerstone and main driving force of this research. خیریه‌های سلامت برای حفظ و تداوم مشارکت خیّرین از هدایای تشکر بهره می‌برند، اما تنوع انگیزه‌های خیّرین و ناآگاهی از پدیدۀ تخلیۀ انگیزشی می‌تواند این ابزارها را به عامل کاهندۀ انگیزه‌های درونی تبدیل کند. این پژوهش با هدف واکاوی چگونگی مدیریت انگیزۀ خیّرین با محوریت هدایای تشکر در خیریه‌های سلامت اصفهان انجام شد. این مطالعه‌ از نوع کیفی با رویکرد توصیفی-اکتشافی بود. داده‌ها از طریق مصاحبه‌های نیمه‌ساختاریافته با مدیران و کارشناسان خیریه‌های سلامت اصفهان گردآوری شدند تا ادراک خیریه‌ها از انگیزه‌های خیّرین و رویه‌های تقدیر از آنان تحلیل شود. خیریه‌ها از طیفی متنوع از هدایا عمدتاً با هدف حفظ خیّرین استفاده می‌کنند، اما تصمیم‌گیری‌ها کاملاً شهودی و فاقد ارزیابی نظام‌مند هستند. حساسیت شدید به حفظ اخلاص و انگیزه‌های الهی به پنهان‌سازی اطلاعات و عدم تمایل به اشتراک‌گذاری تجربیات منجر شده است. همچنین، تمرکز خیریه‌ها صرفاً بر جلوگیری از ریزش خیر است و هیچ راهبرد سازمانی برای ارتقای انگیزه (تراکم انگیزشی) وجود ندارد. در بستر فرهنگی-دینی ایران، تخلیۀ انگیزشی نه صرفاً جایگزینی انگیزۀ بیرونی با درونی، بلکه تنزل معنوی در سلسله‌مراتب انگیزه‌های اسلامی است. فقدان مدل علمی و پروتکل‌های مبتنی بر شواهد اثربخشی بلندمدت هدایای تشکر را تهدید می‌کنند. زمینه‌سازی برای تدوین چارچوب تعاملی، آموزش مدیران و گذار به رویکرد علمی برای حفظ سرمایۀ معنوی و کارایی خیریه‌ها ضروری است.

https://ecs.ui.ac.ir/article_30711_4b4b18e95d8eb79f716a70cb65d384d8.pdf