Investigating the Health Status of the Working Environment of Employees of the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) Using the Grounded Theory Method

Abstract

Background: The employees of the IRINN are among the employees operating in the creative industries. Contrary to their important role, it seems necessary for them to benefit from favorable health conditions in their working environment. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the health of the work environment at IRINN. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to August 2022 at the IRINN. The statistical population of the research consisted of 17 managers and editors from different sections of the news network who were interviewed as experts to identify the health components of the IRINN. After this, the collected information was coded and prioritized using the grounded theory method. Results: Three categories of components affecting the health of the working environment of the IRINN were identified in the open coding stage, which were classified into three related sub-categories. The highest frequency sub-category was related to the survey and field investigation, increasing productivity of the employees, and inappropriate building. In the axial coding stage, the components of the coding paradigm were identified and analyzed in six categories. In the selective coding stage, the validity of these relationships among the above-said categories was checked. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained from the grounded theory method, the conditions of the working environment at the IRINN require fundamental changes from the point of view of the building, management structure, health education programs, and, last but not least, modification of common practices.