Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Action: Identifying the Social Security Doctrine in Iran

Introduction Effective implementation of social security policies remains a key challenge, often due to the lack of coherence between theory, policy formulation, and execution. This study investigates the concept of "doctrine" as a guiding framework for aligning these levels and aims to identify the existing social security doctrine in Iran. In this study, doctrine is defined as a comprehensive, non-prescriptive, and authoritative framework of shared beliefs and principles that pragmatically address policy challenges. It facilitates alignment by offering a shared interpretive lens that enables actors across levels to coordinate actions, reduce ambiguities, and implement policies more consistently. Methods This qualitative study followed an integrative design across three sequential phases. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to conceptualize the doctrine and define its characteristics. Second, five experts participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) to identify key challenges and relevant legal sources within the Iranian context. Third, a qualitative content analysis was performed on three core legal documents - the Constitution, the Law on the Structure of the Welfare and Social Security System, and the Social Security Law - along with their legislative deliberations. Data were coded using Atlas.ti version 8.1.3. Each phase informed the next to ensure analytical coherence. Ethical approval was obtained from the University's Research Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results Seven doctrinal domains, comprising 18 categories and approximately 60 codes, were identified: <i>Missions of the System</i>, <i>Basis for Government Intervention in Establishing the Social Security System</i>, <i>Support Approach</i>, <i>Governance System Interaction with the Social Security System</i>, <i>Financing of the Social Security Scheme</i>, <i>Covered Population</i>, and <i>Conditions for Pension Entitlement</i>. These domains represent the structural and operational pillars of the Iranian social security system. For instance, the domain "Covered Population" includes categories such as "Vulnerable Groups" and "Employed," reflecting prioritization in system coverage. The integration of expert insights with legal content enabled the extraction of a grounded and contextually relevant doctrinal framework. Conclusion The doctrine-based approach offers a novel mechanism for bridging the gap between policy design and implementation. By fostering shared understanding across policymaking levels, doctrine provides a coherent structure to guide effective policy execution. The methodological framework used in this study is transferable to other social policy domains such as health and education.