Objective: The present study aims to discover and identify the dimensions, components, and indicators of a healthy banking culture in the Iranian banking system and present a qualitative conceptual model.
Method: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and using thematic analysis. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 experts, including university faculty members in the field of cultural and banking management, senior managers of public and private banks, and banking supervision experts. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted in six stages (familiarization with the data, generation of initial codes, search for themes, review of themes, definition and naming of themes, and preparation of a report).
Findings: As a result of data analysis, 333 initial codes, 10 basic themes (including ethics, transparency and accountability, supervision and control, organizational justice, ethical training and development, social responsibility, ethics-based management, committed organizational culture, customer-centeredness and law-basedness) and 5 organizing themes (professional ethics, organizational culture, organizational spirituality, leadership, and banking governance and supervision) were extracted. Finally, the overarching theme of “Comprehensive Model of Healthy Banking Culture in the Iranian Banking System” was explained.
Conclusion: The research findings show that healthy banking culture is a multidimensional phenomenon and is influenced by the simultaneous interaction of ethical, managerial, organizational, spiritual and supervisory factors. The presented model can be used as a theoretical and practical framework for policymakers, bank managers and supervisory institutions to design strategies to promote the health and efficiency of the banking system