Exploring the Viewpoint of Oil Industry Employees about Factors Affecting the Success of Standard Operating Procedures

Abstract

Background: Different factors affect the success of standard operational procedures (SOPs). This study was conducted to explore the viewpoints of employees of Tehran Oil Refining Company about factors affecting the usability of SOPs. Methods: This qualitative study was a conventional content analysis research conducted on the oil refining company employers 2020, using  the semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed by content analysis method using MAXQDA software. Results: The results showed that the employees had a positive perception toward the standard operating procedures and most of them used these procedures to improve work performance and reduce accidents. Also, from the viewpoint of the employees, organizational factors (desirable organizational culture, continuous supervision and evaluation and assurance of accurate implementation of instructions, and continuous personnel training), individual factors (positive perception of the personnel about the organization goals, rules obedience of the personnel, positive experiences of personnel from the implementation of instructions in the past), and environmental factors (environmental dynamics and their related SOP dynamics, desirable but formal relationships of managers and supervisors with personnel as well as optimal and standard work schedule) had a positive effect on the applicability of these procedures. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the employees, consider standard operating procedures of organizational, individual, and environmental factors effective in using standard operating instructions. Therefore, to increase the applicability of these procedures, the employees should consider their opinions.