Designing a Development Diplomacy Policymaking Model for the Islamic Republic of Iran with a Multidimensional Policy Approach

Abstract
Development diplomacy, as one of the strategic instruments of foreign policy, plays a fundamental role in linking national development objectives with countries’ international engagement. Despite the importance of this concept, the Islamic Republic of Iran still lacks a comprehensive, indigenous, and multidimensional framework for development diplomacy policymaking. The present study aims to design an integrated model for development diplomacy policymaking in the Islamic Republic of Iran using a multidimensional policy approach. The research is developmental–applied in orientation and qualitative in methodology, and it is conducted using the systematic grounded theory approach developed by Strauss and Corbin. The research population consists of experts in diplomacy, international relations, and public policymaking. Using purposive sampling, twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding, yielding 81 concepts and 17 categories organized within the components of the paradigm model. The findings indicate that development diplomacy policymaking is the result of the interaction of causal, contextual, and intervening conditions. Through strategies such as economic diplomacy, scientific–cultural diplomacy, security diplomacy, multilateralism, and the smartization of diplomacy, these interactions lead to economic, political–security, cultural, and institutional outcomes. The main innovation of this study lies in proposing an indigenous, multi-level, and systematic model that can provide a scientific basis for enhancing the quality of policymaking and strategic decision-making in the development diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Introduction
The Islamic Republic of Iran, given its distinctive geopolitical position and multifaceted national capacities, requires a scientific and multidimensional approach to development diplomacy policymaking. The design of a comprehensive policy model in this domain necessitates the identification of key components, institutional mechanisms, and coordination frameworks among policymaking and implementing bodies. Recent domestic and international studies have addressed various dimensions of development diplomacy, such as scientific, cultural, economic, and public diplomacy. However, most of these studies have adopted a sectoral or single-dimensional perspective and have failed to provide a holistic, indigenous, and integrated policymaking framework. Accordingly, the main research problem addressed in this study is how a comprehensive and context-sensitive model for development diplomacy policymaking in Iran can be designed through a multidimensional policy approach. The study seeks to bridge the theoretical and practical gaps in the literature by proposing a systematic and integrated model tailored to Iran’s specific political, economic, cultural, and institutional conditions.
Case Study
The empirical context of this study is the Islamic Republic of Iran, examined as a case characterized by unique geopolitical constraints, international pressures, developmental needs, and rich cultural and civilizational resources. Iran’s experience with sanctions, regional security challenges, and efforts to diversify its economy and enhance non-oil exports provides a distinctive setting for analyzing development diplomacy as a strategic policy domain.
Materials and Methods
This study adopts a qualitative research design and utilizes the systematic grounded theory methodology developed by Strauss and Corbin. The research is developmental–applied in nature, aiming to produce an indigenous and operational model for policymaking in development diplomacy. The research population consisted of experts in diplomacy, international relations, and public policymaking, including diplomats, policymakers, and academic specialists. Participants were selected through purposive and judgmental sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, which occurred after twelve semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted through three main stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, using MAXQDA software. To ensure reliability, inter-coder agreement was assessed using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.83, indicating a high level of coding consistency and analytical rigor.
Discussion and Results
Open coding yielded 153 initial codes, which were consolidated into 81 concepts and 17 categories. The findings reveal that development diplomacy policymaking in Iran is a multidimensional and dynamic process shaped by the interaction of causal, contextual, and intervening conditions. Causal conditions include the need to enhance Iran’s international standing, manage international pressures and sanctions, and address domestic development priorities such as economic resilience and diversification. Contextual conditions encompass Iran’s geopolitical and regional environment, domestic institutional and legal frameworks, and cultural and civilizational capacities. Intervening conditions include the level of institutional coordination, human and technological capacities, and the participation of the private sector and civil society. Based on these conditions, strategic responses are formulated in four main domains: economic and financial diplomacy; scientific, cultural, and media diplomacy; security diplomacy and multilateral engagement; and the smartization and digitalization of diplomacy. The implementation of these strategies leads to multidimensional outcomes, including economic growth and investment, enhanced national and regional security, improved international image and soft power, and strengthened institutional governance and policymaking capacity. Several concepts appear both as conditions and as outcomes, indicating the cyclical and self-reinforcing nature of the model.
Conclusion
This study proposes an indigenous, comprehensive, and multidimensional model for development diplomacy policymaking in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The model demonstrates that effective development diplomacy requires the systematic integration of causal, contextual, and intervening factors within a coherent policy framework. The main theoretical contribution of this research lies in conceptualizing development diplomacy as a multidimensional and network-based policymaking process rather than a set of isolated diplomatic activities. From a practical perspective, the proposed model provides a scientific foundation for strategic decision-making, institutional reform, and policy coordination in Iran’s foreign policy and development planning. The findings suggest that the institutionalization of development diplomacy within Iran’s policymaking architecture, investment in human and technological capacities, and the activation of cultural and civilizational resources are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of development-oriented diplomacy. Future research may employ quantitative or mixed-method approaches to empirically test the relationships among the model’s components and conduct comparative studies with other developing countries to further validate and refine the proposed framework.