Background & Purpose: Demographic and generational changes, coupled with the declining population growth rate and the resulting gradual reduction in the pool of applicants for employment in the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, have made the need to rethink the military recruitment system increasingly evident. Moreover, the rapid expansion of digital technologies and the transformation of human resource recruitment and hiring practices have made it imperative to align the recruitment system with the requirements of digital transformation. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify strategies for transforming the recruitment system of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran based on a digital transformation approach.
Methodology: This applied study was conducted using a qualitative research approach. The study population consisted of faculty members and managers in the field of human resource management within the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which continued until theoretical saturation was achieved after 14 interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of MAXQDA software.
Findings: The findings revealed seven overarching themes representing the key strategies for transforming the recruitment system of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These strategies include: transforming the organizational perspective on recruitment; reducing human resource demand in response to the declining population growth rate; enhancing organizational attractiveness; diversifying recruitment sources; restructuring recruitment centers; diversifying recruitment methods; and improving the recruitment process by making it more efficient, targeted, and evidence-based.
Conclusion: Implementing the strategies proposed in this study can facilitate the transformation of the recruitment system of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran by strengthening its employer brand, enhancing organizational attractiveness for qualified applicants, improving both the quality and quantity of applicants, and increasing the accuracy of identifying and selecting competent human capital. These achievements can provide the Army with a sustainable competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talented personnel, thereby enhancing organizational effectiveness and operational readiness, strengthening human capital, and ultimately contributing to improved defense capability, national security, and the national power of the Islamic Republic of Iran.