Exploring socio-cultural conditions for economic development in Afghanistan: a grounded theory approach

Purpose This study aims to identify the key socio-cultural barriers and enabling factors influencing Afghanistan's economic development and to explain how these shape its developmental trajectory. Design/methodology/approach Adopting an interpretive paradigm and qualitative approach, the research employs grounded theory to construct a context-based theoretical model. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 24 Afghan experts in cultural, social and economic fields. Purposive sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis followed open, axial and selective coding stages. To enhance trustworthiness, eight validation strategies proposed by Creswell and Miller were applied. Findings The coding process produced 276 initial concepts, 38 subcategories and 10 main categories, organized within a paradigmatic model. Causal conditions included discursive and cognitive deficiency, cultural and ideological blockage and poverty in productive culture. Contextual conditions were traditional structures resistant to development and the reproduction of poverty. Intervening conditions included the collapse of social cohesion and externally imposed development. Strategies identified were discourse construction, cultural institutionalization of development and use of indigenous capacities. The main consequence was a gradual shift toward acceptance of economic development. The core phenomenon is the cultural-contextual rootlessness of economic development processes and the need for localized approaches. Research limitations/implications Findings are context-specific; future research could test the emerging propositions in other settings. Practical implications Effective development policies in Afghanistan must be grounded in local socio-cultural realities, balancing tradition with modernity and encouraging local ownership. Social implications This study provides a grounded model highlighting the cultural embeddedness of economic development in fragile and traditional contexts. Originality/value This study develops a grounded theory model explaining the socio-cultural conditions of economic development in Afghanistan, highlighting the need for context-specific and culturally grounded approaches.