Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development)

Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development)

Return of Technical Knowledge of Retirees and Development of Human Capital in the Oil Industry: Design and Expert Validation of A Mixed Model

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Faemeh Rezaei 1
Shaghayegh Behzadi Sheykhrobat 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Management, Om.C., Islamic Azad University, Omidiyeh, Iran.
2 Master's Student, Department of Educational Management, Om.C., Islamic Azad University, Omidiyeh, Iran.
10.22055/qjsd.2026.52286.3239
Abstract
Despite the growth of knowledge management studies, it is still unclear how the technical knowledge of retired employees in oil organizations can be transformed from the level of individual experience to a formal mechanism for human capital development.The aim of this study was to design and expertly validate a model for the return of technical knowledge of retirees in the National Southern Oilfields Company.The research was conducted with a mixed exploratory approach. The participants included 30 university professors and 70 oil managers who were selected using purposive-judgmental sampling logic and considering their specialized experience in the fields of oil, knowledge management, human resources, and organizational management.Data were collected through descriptive questions, semi-structured interviews, qualitative coding, three Delphi rounds, and perceptual assessment of 17 indicators.In the qualitative stage, 500 data pieces were coded into five final categories including knowledge management function, organizational infrastructure, knowledge maturity gap, technical knowledge return cycle, and model functional validity.The results showed that the average of knowledge management infrastructure readiness was2.62and the average of knowledge management process capability was 3.08.Technology leadership, knowledge management, organizational culture, and organizational structure were the weakest components. In contrast, support for the return of technical knowledge from retirees was high with a mean of 4.58 and initial acceptance of the model was high with a mean of 5.26.The findings indicate that the return of knowledge from retirees, when coupled with knowledge leadership, digital infrastructure, intergenerational coaching, and a human resource development program, can help preserve organizational memory and enhance human capital development.
Keywords
Knowledge Management
Tacit Knowledge
Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer
Human Capital Development
Oil Industry
Subjects
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Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development)
Volume 20, Issue 4 - Serial Number 80
Vol. 20, No. 4, Summer 2026
Summer 2026
Pages 321-343